Northeastern University School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs

- Master of Public Administration
- MS in Urban and Regional Policy
- MS in Law and Public Policy
- JD/Masters in Law and Public Policy (Dual Degree)
- PhD in Law and Public Policy

Fields of Specialization/
Study Tracks:

- Government (Public) Administration
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Finance and Budgeting
- Community and Economic Development
- Sustainability, Climate Change and Environment
- Housing and Transportation
- Health and Social Policy
- Crime, Law and Justice

Graduate Program Overview

The School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs is focused on training the next generation of public policy makers and shapers, whether they plan careers in local, state or federal government service, in non-profit agencies, in advocacy roles within their communities, or in government relations in the private sector. Experiential learning is a key component of our professional graduate programs.

MS in Urban & Regional Policy: The 21st century will see most of us living in urban areas. As a result, policymakers will need creative solutions to the economic, social, environmental and political challenges facing cities, within the context of a complex and integrated global economy. Students in the Master of Urban & Regional Policy program analyze and develop real-world solutions to these challenges, be they in housing, energy and transportation, resource sustainability, civil infrastructure, or economic opportunity. The Program’s uniqueness is its strong emphasis on a curriculum integrating theoretical thinking on sustainability and urban development with a “research toolkit” spanning an array of cutting-edge analytical techniques and methodologies. It addresses the need for a new breed of urban policy analysts and practitioners, who better understand two critical issues about the 21st century metropolitan area: (1) the opportunities and challenges for cities and suburbs of being part of a fully globalized economy and (2) the opportunities and challenges for sustainability in a world of dwindling resources and environmental constraints.

MPA: The program integrates theoretical foundations with practical skills in the public sector, and is directed toward defining and developing analytical, conceptual and practical competencies for management and leadership careers in the public or non-profit sectors. With classes scheduled after 5 PM, or provided online, the program is designed for both the full-time student and current public-sector professionals. We provide a practice-oriented and research-based graduate educational experience. Our MPA program will prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. We are committed to the ideals of public service, high levels of academic excellence combined with ethical and professional integrity, and advancing the public interest. We seek students who share the same enthusiasm.

LPP: The Law and Public Policy program, at both the Masters and PhD levels prepares students for careers in government, non-profit and legal organizations, and research. We examine law, legal institutions, and public policy from an interdisciplinary social science perspective. Students examine a full range of strategies for creating policy change, including legislation, litigation, the ballot box, and civil action. Students engage in policy analysis and applied research that develops real-world solutions to public policy challenges. The PhD program offers an innovative, rigorous and empirically based law and public policy curriculum that prepares graduates to enter careers in academia, research, and government service. The program focuses on the full scope of law and public policy from an interdisciplinary social science and legal perspective. You will acquire an understanding of how law and public policy is created, modified, and studied at all levels of government, and develop the skills to choose and implement the right approaches and sophisticated tools to do theoretically-based policy analysis.

Admissions Deadline

Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1
Summer: April 1

Please visit our website for more information on priority deadlines for financial aid and deadlines for international students.

Admissions Overview

Applicants submit transcripts, resume, three letters of recommendation, in addition to a personal statement describing their area of interest, career goals and why the program is a good fit. See the School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs website for more information about application requirements.

http://www.northeastern.edu/policyschool