3 universities that empower students to shape and implement the policies of tomorrow

The past decade has taught us that there are always new ways to think about difficult issues—including unprecedented ones that have brought the world to a halt. Consider the COVID-19 pandemic, in which governments have been tested on seemingly everything from public health response and vaccine development to stimulus packages and how long residents can walk their dogs. Similarly, the ongoing fight against climate change requires experts who can balance environmental sustainability with economic growth, crafting policies that fully leverage innovation while protecting the planet.

Top universities are meeting this need with programs designed to empower the next generation of leaders in both public administration and public policy. Read on to discover three such institutions, each offering a unique approach to education to ensure that their graduates enter the workforce with fresh insights and added value.

School of Public Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science

For a more comprehensive and energetic understanding of the plans, laws and behaviors adopted by governments, join School of Public Policy on London School of Economics and Political Science. It’s a vibrant international community at one of the world’s leading social science universities, great for anyone looking for the skills and ideas to transform people and societies.

At LSE School of Public Policy, this starts with a solid foundation in political science, economics and quantitative analysis, and then allows you to apply your new knowledge and skills to real-world global policy challenges. As you analyse, understand and solve the challenges of contemporary governance, you will have access to the views of peers from over 50 countries and diverse backgrounds, who will help you find new ways of thinking about difficult issues. Your professors bring decades of experience to further challenge you intellectually, while guest speakers share insights on everything from climate disputes and capitalism to artificial intelligence and impact investing.

To join this diverse global community of policy changemakers, you can choose from: eight programs designed for students at an early stage of their career and at an executive level. The two largest programs are Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP).

In the former, emerging professionals spend their first year developing foundational skills in policy analysis through training in empirical methods, political science, and economic analysis. In their second year, students have the flexibility to develop this new knowledge by exploring optional courses and choosing specializations in areas such as international development, social impact, inequality and poverty, and international political economy.

The key element of the MPA is a six-month Final Project where MPA students put their knowledge into practice by working with an external client to solve real-world policy problems. Think about promoting greater gender equality and inclusivity at the Central Bank of Mexico, reducing existing pressure on frontline healthcare in England, and empowering young people to lead gender-sensitive approaches to climate change adaptation. Recent partners include Goldman Sachs, UNICEF, the Migration Policy Institute, and NHS England.

Intensive nine-month Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a better choice for those who are further along in their career. It can deepen your understanding and analytical abilities in public policy. With a multidisciplinary approach that includes economics, econometrics, political science, quantitative methods, public management, and philosophy, you will gain a nuanced understanding of the complexities of modern management. This level of breadth ensures that you graduate prepared to effect change in the public, private, international, or nonprofit sectors. Apply today to influence the future of global policy.

Department of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University

Columbia University Department of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) has spent more than seven decades at the forefront of educating professionals who are committed to making a positive impact on the world. Whether they work in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors, graduates can be found improving social services, advocating for human rights, strengthening markets, protecting the environment, and ensuring peace, both in their local communities and around the world.

Although SIPA offers a range of postgraduate programmes, Master of Public Administration is a popular choice for those looking to gain qualitative and quantitative analysis skills, substantive policy knowledge, and professional experience necessary to address real-world challenges.

The core curriculum adopts a globally focused and comparative approach to national policymaking, complemented by rigorous courses in economics, quantitative analysis, and management. However, students can choose from a wide range of concentrations (majors) tailored to their interests and career goals: International Security Policy, International Finance and Economic Policy, Economic and Political Development, Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy, and Urban and Social Policy. Selected tracks within the program are STEM-designated, giving students an edge in technical and analytical skills.

Regardless of which path students choose, all benefit from Columbia University’s unparalleled academic resources and SIPA’s extensive experiential learning opportunities. This includes the Capstone Program, in which students work on real-world projects with organizations around the world. This prepares students well, as evidenced by the many MPA graduates who now work for the most prestigious agencies and companies in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

University of California, Berkeley

This Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) in University of California, Berkeley aims to provide a transformative academic and cultural experience for students interested in pursuing careers in public leadership. It currently offers a variety of degree programs designed to meet different stages of professional development.

Designed for mid-career professionals, Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program examines policy analysis in the context of organizational leadership, ethics, innovation, economics, and strategic planning. The curriculum is taught by respected faculty and includes collaborative learning experiences, rapid response assessments, and in-depth policy explorations. The program culminates in a Capstone Project in which students apply interdisciplinary tools to a real-world client policy challenge.

Meanwhile, a two-year, full-time, full-time science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum Master of Public Policy (MPP) emphasizes applied and quantitative dimensions of policy development and implementation. Its curriculum equips students with the tools for effective leadership in government, advocacy, and the nonprofit and private sectors. Key components include a core curriculum, a summer internship, a second-year policy analysis project, and electives from both the GSPP and the broader UC Berkeley community.

The program also includes social science methodologies, economic analysis, political institutions, legal analysis, and communication skills, equipping graduates to address issues such as poverty, education, racial inequality, criminal justice, and climate change.

In true Berkeley style, all Goldman School classes are taught by top researchers in fields such as economics, political science, law, social psychology, and engineering. Through their connections and guidance, students complete summer internships and real-world policy analysis projects to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical challenges during their studies.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are Study International’s commercial partners