Brown University's master of public affairs (MPA) is the Ivy League’s only one-year on-campus MPA program, preparing future leaders to analyze complex policy challenges and develop evidence-based solutions for public, nonprofit and private sectors.
Built around rigorous training in quantitative analysis, leadership and policy, Brown's public affairs graduate program combines interdisciplinary coursework with a semester-long Policy-in-Action Project, where students tackle a real policy challenge for a nonprofit, public or private sector organization. Through our accelerated one-year curriculum, students will sharpen the analytical and quantitative skills needed for an impactful career in public affairs.
MPA students can customize their study plan through their elective coursework, pursuing a specialization tailored to their policy interests, academic curiosity or professional goals. Complete your degree in one year, beginning in June (summer–fall–spring) and graduate ready to make an impact. Choose from six track options, or design a specialization tailored to your policy interests.
- Climate, Energy, and Environmental Policy
- International Development
- International Finance and Economics
- International Security
- Social and Economic Policy
- Customized Specialization
Brown also offers an MPH/MPA dual degree.
Application Information
Application Requirements
GRE Subject:
Not required
GRE General:
Not required, but score submission is encouraged.
TOEFL/IELTS:
Minimum scores 100 TOEFL/ 7 IELTS
Required for any non-native English speaker who does not have a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction or from a University in the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Ethiopia, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales), West Indies, Zambia).
The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator exam are accepted.
Students from mainland China may submit the TOEFL ITP Plus exam.
Official Transcripts:
Required. All applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for application submission. Official transcripts are ONLY required for enrolling students before class start. An international transcript evaluation (WES, ECE or The Evaluation Company) is required for degrees from non-U.S. institutions before enrollment.
Letters of Recommendations:
Three (3) recommendations required
Two (2) recommendations for current Brown undergraduates (5th-year applicants).
Personal Statement:
Our program’s mission is to cultivate and elevate the next generation of global leaders to address pressing societal challenges. We look forward to learning about why you have decided to pursue graduate work in public affairs through Brown’s MPA. As you think about your future career path, how might you envision yourself addressing the societal challenges you care most about? How would the curriculum and opportunities offered in our MPA program help you advance toward your vision?
You will have the opportunity to upload a copy of your personal statement document directly to the application portal. There is no minimum word limit, but we encourage you to stay below 1500 words.
Resume/CV:
Required.
Quantitative resume: Required for applicants who do not submit official GRE scores. A quantitative resume sample can be found on the MPA website.
Additional Requirements:
Comprehensive application requirements are detailed on the Master of Public Affairs website.
If you have any questions regarding applying to the MPA program, email watsonmpa@brown.edu. For application processing questions or troubleshooting, contact masters_admissions@brown.edu.
Dates/Deadlines
Application Deadline
5th Year Deadline
Tuition and Funding
- Graduate Tuition & Fees: Please visit the Student Financial Services Office for up-to-date tuition rates.
- Scholarships: All MPA admitted students are considered for MPA merit-based scholarships, including international applicants. There is no additional application process to be considered for a merit scholarship, as the scholarship committee will utilize all information provided in the admissions application to make scholarship decisions. MPA students should plan to fund their cost of attendance to the program through a combination of sources such as our MPA scholarships, loans, savings, and/or outside funding. Student loans are available through Brown’s Office of Financial Aid to eligible U.S. applicants who submit a FAFSA. For more information on MPA program scholarship, visit our MPA scholarships page.
Completion Requirements
MPA skills-based courses are designed to equip you with the data analytical tools, policy and leadership skills needed to understand and address some of the world's most pressing challenges. The MPA curriculum also features the signature Policy-in-Action project; a semester-long professional experience, where you augment and apply technical and leadership skills to develop solutions to a real-world policy challenge with a collaborating organization. You also have the flexibility to pursue a specialization through elective coursework, tailored to your policy interests, academic curiosity or professional goals.
Specialization topics include: Data and Policy Analysis, Global Security, Inequity and Public Policy, Public Leadership and Management, and the option to customize your own. For more information, visit the curriculum page
Alumni Outcomes
MPA Alumni work in a wide variety of industries, not limited to consulting, private sector, government (both inside & outside USA), intergovernmental organizations, non-profit, and military.
Learn More