Application Deadlines

If you have any questions regarding the application process for this program, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu.

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.

Graduate Tuition & Fees

Please visit theStudent 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.

Brown's one-year, on-campus master of public affairs (MPA) combines rigorous training in quantitative analysis, leadership and policy with interdisciplinary coursework and hands-on learning. Through the Policy in Action capstone, students work with organizations to address real-world policy challenges while developing the skills to lead across the public, nonprofit and private sectors.

Graduates pursue careers in public service, government, nonprofit organizations, international institutions, foundations, consulting and the private sector. The program equips students to analyze policy, lead organizations and develop solutions to complex public challenges.

Yes. Every student completes the ‘Policy in Action’ capstone, partnering with a government agency, nonprofit or other organization to address a real-world policy challenge. Students apply quantitative analysis, policy research and leadership skills while producing actionable recommendations for clients.

Brown's master of public affairs integrates the analytical focus of public policy with the leadership and management skills commonly associated with public administration. The interdisciplinary curriculum prepares graduates to understand complex policy issues, evaluate evidence and lead organizations across sectors.

The program is designed for recent graduates and early- to mid-career professionals who want to develop the analytical, leadership and management skills needed to address complex public challenges. Students come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds and are interested in careers across government, nonprofits, international organizations and the private sector.