Cornell University

Graduate SchoolGraduate School

Graduate SchoolFields of Study

Public Administration M.P.A. (Ithaca)

Field of Study

Public Affairs

Program Description

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy offers students the opportunity to study public policy and program management from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Students gain an understanding of the political processes through which issues, problems, and policies are formulated; the economic basis for government action in a market economy; and the comparative and historical contexts of governmental programs. Students study public budgets, finance, and regulatory processes, as well as the behavior of both public and private organizations and their management. Students also gain competence in the qualitative and quantitative methods needed to analyze programs and policies, and develop sensitivity to the moral and ethical dimensions of policy issues.

M.P.A. Program The two-year Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program consists of a minimum of 65.5 credits; students typically take a full load of coursework for four semesters. The M.P.A. program offers a structured curriculum that includes courses in data analytics, managing organizations, politics and policy, applied microeconomics, global citizenship, policy communication, and tools for public administration. Each M.P.A. student also takes concentration courses based on the student's specific area of interest. Elective courses and research opportunities may be taken through the program in relevant departments or colleges at the university. Students have seven areas they may concentrate their studies in:

  • Environmental and Sustainability Policy
  • Economic Policy
  • Data Science
  • International Policy and Management
  • Public and Non-Profit Management
  • Science and Technology Policy
  • Social Policy: Health, Education, and Inequality

M.P.A. students are expected to engage in public affairs work related to their respective areas of concentration during the summer between their first and second years of study. As a culmination of studies in the M.P.A. program, all students are required to develop and complete a professional writing project. This professional writing requirement may be fulfilled by writing a research thesis, a professional report based on work done during the summer internship, or by completing the MPA Capstone.  

Contact Information

Website: https://publicpolicy.cornell.edu/studying-at-brooks/masters-programs/cipa/
Email: mpa@cornell.edu
Phone: 607 255-8018

2201 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853

Concentrations by Subject

  • economic and financial policy
  • environmental policy
  • government, politics, and policy studies
  • human rights and social justice
  • international development studies
  • public and nonprofit management
  • science, technology and infrastructure policy
  • social policy

Tuition

Visit the Graduate School's Tuition Rates page.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadlines:

The residential MPA program has a fixed application deadline and offers admission for the fall semester only. Applications for the residential MPA program are due on January 15th and decisions on admittance offers will be released in mid-March.

Requirements Summary:

Complete application information is available on the MPA Program website. Please review the application process before applying.

MPA Application Requirements:

* See the program website for details.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills
    1. Economic Analysis and Public Finance
    2. Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis for Public Affairs
    3. Administrative, Political and Policy Processes
  2. Specialized Public Policy Subject Matter Competence
  3. Writing Skills
  4. Group Work, Management and Leadership Skills
  5. Communication and Presentation Skills