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Your Education

McKeldin Library

Whether you are starting to explore the complex issues facing communities across the country and the world, or you bring years of experience leading solutions to pressing policy challenges, the School of Public Policy provides the skills, experiences and networks you need to make a difference where it matters most.

At the heart of our programs is a 21st Century approach to public policy:

  • We understand that the most effective and enduring solutions are founded in multi-stakeholder governance, where the public, private and nonprofit spheres intersect.
  • We recognize that issues cross jurisdictions and span borders, and that we must explore and apply policy from local to global.
  • We champion the value of participating directly in local, national and global policy-making, harnessing our location in the Washington, DC region to bring real-world opportunities to our students.
  • We stay true to our mission of public service, deploying the assets of a premier public research university to benefit people in the state, across the country and around the world. 

Undergraduate

Translate your passion into action through an interdisciplinary and hands-on approach to understanding the complex problems that surround us. With a focus on the analytical and decision-making skills, combined with opportunities to engage directly with real-world challenges, our undergraduate programs give you the tools you need to be a fearless change-maker.

Explore our undergraduate programs

Master's

Develop the skills, expertise and networks you need to advance innovative solutions to complex problems. Our Master's programs combine a strong foundation of theory and analysis with opportunities for real-world practice, preparing you for careers advancing the public good across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. 

Explore our Masters Programs

PhD

Explore emerging and overlooked issues as you define the future of policy research, education, and practice. Our Doctoral program provides the opportunity to work with leading scholar-practitioners across a variety of policy issues, as you develop the research and teaching skills, and expertise, to command senior positions in universities, research organizations, governments, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. 

Explore our PhD Program

Executive Development

Strengthen your skills and networks to take the next step as a policy leader. Our customized executive development programs offer leadership and policy training for mid-career and senior-level officials from public, private, and nonprofit organizations, providing the professional development you need to effectively manage and lead solutions to complex policy issues. 

Explore our Executive Development Programs