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Master of Public Affairs

The Brown MPA - Change the World

The Brown Master of Public Affairs (MPA) at the Watson Institute is a one-year (summer – fall – spring) full-time program that provides students with the analytical foundation and management tools they need to tackle the policy problems of today. The program prepares students for careers spanning public service, all levels of government, NGOs, foundations, and the private sector.

Our unique, accelerated program offers:

  • Small class size and engaged faculty composed of world-renowned researchers and experienced practitioners
  • An interdisciplinary curriculum - take advantage of course offerings across the University
  • A two-week international policy immersion experience
  • A 12-week consultancy that ensures students are career-ready

For more information on admission and program requirements, please visit the following website:

http://www.brown.edu/academics/gradschool/programs/public-affairs-and-public-policy

Required Courses
Summer Sequence I
Statistics for Public Policy
Economics for Public Policy
Summer Sequence 2
Statistics for Program Evaluation
Economics of Government Intervention
Global Policy Experience (2 Weeks)
Fall Semester
Policy Analysis and Problem Solving
The Politics of Policymaking in Comparative Perspective
Specialization Elective 1
Specialization Elective 2
Spring Semester
Policy in Action Project
Management and Implementation in Public and Non-Profit Organizations
Policy Problems of the 21st Century
Specialization Elective 3

Dual Degree Program: Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Public Affairs (MPA)

The School of Public Health and the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs  also offer a dual-degree Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program.  Emphasizing a learning by doing approach, this rigorous, program will offer highly qualified applicants the opportunity to gain training in public health and public policy to prepare them to address the critical health policy issues in the United States and throughout the world.  The dual-degree degree program includes 19 courses as well as a Masters level thesis.  Students will benefit from the rich academic resources at the Watson Institute and the School of Public Health, as well as their extensive applied learning programs in Rhode Island, as well as throughout the United States and the world.

Interested students should apply separately to the MPH and MPA program. Applicants will indicate interest in the joint degree program on the application form. 

For more information on admission to the MPH program and it's requirements, please visit the following website:

https://www.brown.edu/academics/gradschool/programs/public-health