The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration- A
PUBLIC POLICY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
When you enroll at the George Washington University's Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, you’ll soon realize that you’ve joined one of the top schools in the country in the fields of public policy and public administration. It’s not only about our top-tier ranking; more importantly, it’s about the abundant resources you can take advantage of by learning from the field’s brightest minds. Plus you have access to unparalleled hands-on learning, internship and career opportunities in the heart of Washington, D.C.
With tailored professional advancement programs, flexible degree options that fit your lifestyle and public service aspirations, and an active alumni network that provides connections to all fields of public service across the globe, there is simply no better place in the world to pursue a career in public policy and public affairs than Trachtenberg.
Earn your graduate degree or certificate and
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AS A LEADER IN POLICYMAKING
across a variety of sectors.
THE GW ADVANTAGE
Access Washington, D.C.
The heart of our nation's capital is the quintessential location to gain expertise in public policy and public administration. The epicenter of policy-making provides a wealth of experiential learning, from abundant course choices and independent research to internship and employment opportunities in federal, state or professional organizations.
Top-Ranked Excellence
Trachtenberg ranks in the Top 5% of public policy schools according to U.S. News & World Report. Moreover, our internationally recognized faculty not only share their knowledge but often open new doors with their connections to many of the world’s most prestigious policymaking institutions and government agencies.
Career Advancement and a Global Network
Tap into a supremely connected professional network of more than 320,000 GW alumni in 150 countries worldwide. Here, you will benefit from networking, sharing knowledge and further refining your expertise as an experienced professional. At Trachtenberg, you will also have access to career services for life.
PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
Learn more about the program that fits your career goals:
Graduate Degrees
- Public Policy, MPP
GW’s master’s program challenges you to dig deep into the data and the details as you explore the theories behind the public policy that shapes our governments and our world. With a hands-on curriculum in your hand-picked field of study, you will not only learn to clearly analyze social and economic problems via public policy but also prepare yourself to lead at all levels of government, private business, research institutes, nonprofit organizations and more.
- Public Administration, MPA
By studying management and policy issues in an intergovernmental and intersectoral context, our master’s program prepares you to lead and manage public service organizations and programs in all sectors. Empowered to choose your specific field of study and design your own capstone project, you will amass expertise and establish yourself as a leader in the issues you are most passionate about.
- Environmental and Sustainability Policy, MA
Gain a multidisciplinary approach to environmental and sustainability studies as you prepare for a policy career in government, nonprofit organizations, the private sector and/or environmental advocacy groups. As you develop your solid grounding in the scientific side of environmental and resource policy, you will collaborate on a capstone project on a pro bono product for a client of your choice.
- PhD in Public Policy and Administration
Join a diverse and progressive cohort of students training for careers in think tanks, international work, federal government, research and more. The flexible PhD curriculum allows you to customize coursework to your schedule and interests while developing sophisticated research skills.
- Combined Master's Degrees and Program Certificates
Interested in combining a graduate certificate with an MPA, MPP or MA-ESP? Take advantage of the opportunity to complete two programs currently:
- MA-ESP and Graduate Certificate in GIS
- MPA or MPP and Graduate Certificate in Budget and Public Finance
- MPA or MPP and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management
- MPP or MPA and Graduate Certificate in Data Science
- MPP or MPA and Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy
- MA-ESP, MPA or MPP and Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Policy and Practice
Program Certificates
- Budget & Public Finance Graduate Certificate
If you are, or envision becoming, a budget analyst or financial management officer in a public agency at any level of government, this graduate certificate—from the #10 ranked U.S. program in public finance and budgeting—provides you with expertise in budget policy and process, characteristics of public revenue and expenditure, and governmental accounting and financial reporting.
- Environmental Resource Policy Graduate Certificate
Whether entering the field or advancing your career within it, GW’s graduate certificate expands your knowledge of environmental sciences and resources, as well as the policies and laws that govern them. Learn how to design, analyze, implement, and evaluate environmental policy, all while understanding environmental scientific principles and the economic factors that drive the decisions of firms and consumers.
- Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate
Advance your career in the nonprofit sector by learning all aspects of nonprofit leadership to become a well-rounded professional. Expand your knowledge with practical coursework in fundraising, governance, public-private partnerships, lobbying, social entrepreneurship, leading diverse and inclusive organizations and much more.
- Regulatory Policy and Practice Graduate Certificate
The Certificate in Regulatory Policy and Practice explores the multi-layered world of regulatory policy, practice, and theory. Through comprehensive coursework, students examine the approaches by which regulatory agencies develop and implement policy, including rulemaking, adjudication, and enforcement, and explore the political landscape in which regulations are developed and implemented in different regulatory contexts.
Kai K. Martin, MPP ’21
“Great leaders discover their inner tools along the way. This is the best way to describe my experience at TSPPPA [Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration]. The courses selected, the opportunities given, and the people met were all impactful in helping me to discover career and life tools that were hidden inside of me. These tools of course became effective in impacting social change.”
Gabriel Morey, MPA ’22
“I chose the Trachtenberg School [of Public Policy and Public Administration] because I wanted to gain the leadership and analytical skills needed to continue my career in the public transit industry. However I got so much more from TSPPPA: discovering new interests like budgeting and program evaluation, challenging myself by writing for Policy Perspectives, and growing friendships that remain today.”
Ryan Sweeney, MPA ’18; BITS Policy Manager, Bank Policy Institute
“I met with four alumni in one week during my job search, including a 27-minute coffee meeting on the U.S. Capitol’s Speaker’s balcony with an alumnus who worked for the then- Speaker and took the time to answer my questions.”
Andrew Textoris, MA ’22, Environmental Resource Policy
“I wouldn’t be able to break into my career path without this degree. It is instrumental in preparing people to engage in the arduous landscape that is environmental policy.”
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Here are just some of the field’s top organizations where our graduates are advancing their exciting careers:
