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U.S. News & World Report Recognizes SPP Among Nation’s Top Public Affairs Graduate Programs

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UMD School of Public Policy, Thurgood Marshall Hall

U.S. News & World Report has recognized the University of Maryland School of Public Policy as one of the premier public affairs schools in the country, ranking 26th overall and earning high honors in homeland security and public finance and budgeting. This distinguished accolade acknowledges the School for its innovative leadership in policy and governance and its ongoing dedication to serving the public good on a local, national and global scale.

“I am immensely proud of this recognition, which speaks volumes about the steadfast dedication of our faculty and staff and the commitment of our students, in advancing the field of public policy,” said School of Public Policy Dean Robert C. Orr. “This achievement reaffirms our pursuit of excellence in education and research, inspiring us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and meaningful change in public policy.”

SPP’s master’s programs offer students experiential learning opportunities, foster critical thinking and sound decision-making, equipping them with the tools to turn their passion into meaningful action. Our faculty, comprised of both scholars and practitioners with extensive backgrounds in government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector, play a critical role in helping students navigate their academic journeys.

Renowned for its national leadership in shaping policy debates and advancing solutions to complex societal challenges, the School of Public Policy prioritizes interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world engagement. Through this approach, the School empowers students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address pressing policy issues at all levels of governance.

The School of Public Policy’s homeland security program moved up one notch to No. 3; it also ranked No. 13 in public finance, No. 21 in public policy analysis, No. 22 in urban policy and No. 23 in nonprofit management.

As a leading institution in public affairs education, SPP remains committed to nurturing future leaders who are prepared to tackle humanity’s grand challenges with integrity, innovation and compassion.


For Media Inquiries:
Megan Campbell
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
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