Master of Public Administration - Social Policy in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is a two-year program comprising sixteen courses, with students generally enrolling in four courses per semester over four terms. While the M.P.A. curriculum provides a foundational framework, each student tailors their academic journey by selecting courses aligned with their specialized interests. Participants can pursue electives and research projects across various university departments. The program features eight focus areas: Environmental Policy, Economic and Financial Policy, Government, Politics, and Policy Studies, Human Rights and Social Justice, International Development Studies, Public and Non-Profit Management, Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy, and Social Policy.

At Cornell's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, students explore public policy and program management through an interdisciplinary lens. The curriculum examines the political mechanisms shaping policy development, the economic rationale for government intervention in markets, and the comparative historical context of public programs. Coursework covers public finance, budgeting, regulatory systems, and organizational behavior in both public and private sectors. Students also acquire analytical skills in qualitative and quantitative methods for policy evaluation while developing awareness of ethical considerations in policymaking.

M.P.A. candidates are required to complete summer internships in their chosen specialization between their first and second years. The program culminates with a professional writing component, which students may fulfill through a research thesis, an internship-based report, or the MPA Capstone project.

Social Policy concentrators gain expertise in program design, administration, and assessment across various social sectors including healthcare, education, poverty reduction, elder care, and criminal justice reform. This concentration equips students with methodologies for problem analysis, policy alternative development, cost-benefit evaluation, and implementation strategy assessment.