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Syracuse University/The Maxwell School

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Maxwell School Of Citizenship And Public Affairs

Advancing Citizenship, Scholarship, And Leadership Around The World

For 80 years, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs has been committed to educating the next generation of decision makers in the public sector. Graduates of our Master of Public Administration (MPA) program have taken positions of leadership in all levels of government, the non-profit sector and in the related private sector in the United States and abroad.

The Maxwell School offers an innovative and rewarding learning environment — rich in tradition, welcoming all who seek to study public policy and administration. At Maxwell you will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to begin or enhance your career in public service, imbued with values which under gird a lifetime of civic involvement. The program staff and faculty are committed to providing a supportive yet challenging learning environment in which students feel a sense of community and tradition.

Inaugurated in 1924, Maxwell is the only major school of public affairs in which the professional disciplines of public administration and international relations are intermingled with traditional scholarly work in the social sciences. Maxwell’s MPA program, the oldest continuously operating such program of its kind, has been a consistent leader among the more than 250 graduate programs in public affairs across the United States. Underlying this high regard is Maxwell’s unique strength – providing a professional education in the academic context of the social sciences.

Syracuse University/The Maxwell SchoolTHE MAXWELL MPA

Maxwell’s MPA program prepares individuals for careers as policy analysts and administrators in the public sector. The 40 credit, 12 month intensive program is balanced in public policy analysis and management. This is a one-year, full-year program. All MPA students begin their studies in July and graduate the following June. This comprehensive approach mirrors the professional world and provides our graduates the skills to (1) effectively analyze and determine solutions to policy and management dilemmas; (2) design and implement programs and policies to remedy these problems; and (3) successfully negotiate the contextual nuances of the public sector.

Maxwell’s MPA is known as a generalist program, honoring theory but always with an eye toward practice. The skills learned in the core courses allow our graduates to be successful in various public service careers. The generalist nature of the instruction provides our alumni maximum flexibility as their careers progress. They easily take advantage of opportunities in all sectors, working on the analysis and management of various public issues.

Core courses cover these fundamental areas of Public Policy Analysis and Management:

  • Citizenship and Public Affairs
  • Public & Non Profit Organizations
  • Applied Public Management Principles
  • Quantitative Policy Analysis (economic, statistical and financial) & Decision Making
  • Leadership
  • Policy Formulation and Programmatic Design

Students then have the option of augmenting their studies in one of seven Program of Study areas:

  • Public & Non-Profit Management
  • State & Local Government Financial Management and Analysis
  • International & Development Administration
  • International & National Security Policy
  • Social Policy (Health, Education, Social Welfare, Aging)
  • Environmental Policy & Administration
  • Technology & Information Management

There is great flexibility beyond the core courses and most students blend two Program of Study areas to best meet their academic and professional needs and interests. Maxwell’s close ties to the local community allow for a built-in experiential component to instruction. Given the full-year nature of our program, a full summer internship is not required. However, all students will work with a number of local and/or national public agencies/organizations in conjunction with their courses. Academic year internship options are available for those students seeking this more in-depth exposure to the professional public sector.

At Maxwell, students may elect to complete any number of joint/concurrent degree options or certificate programs. Joint programs exist with International Relations and Law at Syracuse University. Students may also complete the MPA concurrently with any SU degree (economics, social work, management, anthropology, etc. Certificate options exist in the following areas:

  • Health Services Management and Policy
  • Applied Conflict Resolution or International Conflict Studies
  • Information Technology Policy and Management
  • Legal Studies (w/SU College of Law)
  • Environmental Decision Making (w/SUNY ESF)
  • International and National Security Policy (in development for 2004-05)

All certificate options can be completed within the full year format of the MPA program.

THE MPA STUDENT COMMUNITY

Maxwell invites applications from committed individuals from all over the world and strives for a diverse student community. The supportive, intimate nature of our program encourages our students to stretch beyond their levels of comfort and to explore new areas in which they can grow academically and professionally. We work closely with all of our MPA students to ensure successful completion of their degree. The program has a virtually 99% retention to graduation rate. We are certain that the superb support students receive from the PA faculty and staff during their tenure contributes greatly to our students’ success.

Each summer approximately 110 students begin their MPA studies in July. Students will range in age from their 20’s through their 40’s; roughly 80% have 2+ years of professional work experience; 20-25 % are international with 25-30 % of the remaining students being students of color. Since most students complete their degree in one year of study, the in residence population is about 140.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

All admitted students are eligible for various forms of institutional support from Syracuse University. There are specific Fellowships for African American candidates and those desiring a career in the Non-Profit sector (Snow Fellowships in Non-Profit Management). Additionally, Maxwell has partnered with several national service/fellowship programs (Public Policy and International Affairs, Truman Scholars, Teach for America, International Institute for Public Policy, and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation) and provides matching grants to help fund these students attending Maxwell.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Syracuse University 
Department of Public Administration 
215 Eggers Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244
Phone: 315-443-4000
Email Us:

For materials, Janet Feathers: jfeather@maxwell.syr.edu
For questions/concerns, Christine Omolino: comolino@maxwell.syr.edu

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/pa

 

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