School of Public and International Affairs Graduate Program Viewbook

VIEWBOOK

Welcome!

“In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity” Princeton’s unofficial motto captures the essence of the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Here you’ll find a tight-knit community bound together for life by a passion for serving the public good. “Once a member of our community, always a member of our community.”

Our multidisciplinary teaching approach combined with small class sizes provides students unparalleled access to a top-rate research faculty and prominent policymakers.

We are committed to ensuring a diverse and equitable environment both inside and outside the classroom.

Because all of our students receive 100% of tuition support and generous need-based living stipends, the only thing you will need to focus on is your education. You will graduate from the School with a degree focused on rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis — a true policy toolkit that will allow you to excel in any field, domestically or internationally.

Please visit our campus or connect virtually to learn more.

Sincerely, Dean Cecilia Elena Rouse

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Overview of Graduate Degree Programs

MPA

2-year degree

MPP

Master in Public Affairs

Master in Public Policy

16 Courses

8 Courses

6.5 Core Courses + Policy Workshop • • • • • • •

1-year Mid-career degree

- No Core Requirement -

Microeconomics  Macroeconomics Quantitative Analysis  Politics of Public Policy Psychology for Policy Analysis Applied Econometrics Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

More than 75 electives to choose from

Fields of Concentration Field I International Relations

Field II International Development

Field III Domestic Policy

Field IV Economics and Public Policy

Optional Certificate Programs Health and Health Policy (HHP)

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Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP)

Urban Policy (UP)

Ph.D.

5-year degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs

Clusters of Study Security Studies

12 Courses This cluster prepares students for rigorous research on major threats to international and national security and the relevant forces that defend against those threats.

Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP)

8 Courses This cluster focuses on applications of natural and social science methodology in policy and the interactions between natural and social science in policy analysis.

WE INVEST IN YOU. 100% of tuition, fees, and health insurance covered.

Generous need-based stipend for living expenses.

Tuition and student health plan fee (regular) 2020-2021: $56,470 Most students graduate debt-free.

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Stacey A. Sinclair Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs

In the Classroom Faculty 89

Full-time Faculty

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Visiting professors, lecturers, and practitioners who teach in the graduate program

The School’s faculty are the top minds in their academic fields. They conduct innovative research; deliver expert, nonpartisan analysis to policymakers, nonprofit organizations, and research centers; and provide students with the analytical tools and in-depth knowledge needed to tackle the most important policy issues of the day.

Many have direct policy experience and almost all have dual appointments with disciplinary departments at the University, providing students with multi-faceted perspectives on policy issues.

Jacob N. Shapiro Professor of Politics and International Affairs; Co-director, Empirical Studies of Conflict Project

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Faculty Disciplines • • • • • • •

Astrophysical sciences Civil and environmental engineering Computer science Demography Ecology and evolutionary biology Economics Geosciences

• • • • • •

History Law Mechanical and aerospace engineering Politics Psychology Sociology

Centers and Programs The School is home to 21 research centers and programs, which conduct research, host events, and bring distinguished scholars and practitioners to campus. Students can get involved in programming as varied as foreign policy crisis simulations, roundtables with key leaders in global peace-keeping, collaboration with industry professionals to prevent financial crises, or work with health care leaders to formulate sound access policy.

• Bendheim-Thoman Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies • Center for Health and Wellbeing • Center for Information Technology Policy • Center for International Security Studies • Center for Policy and Research on Energy and the Environment • Center for the Study of Democratic Politics • Education Research Section • Empirical Studies of Conflict Project • Initiative for Data Exploration and Analytics • Innovations for Successful Societies

• Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance • Kahneman-Treisman Center for Behavioral Science & Public Policy • Liechtenstein Institute on SelfDetermination • Niehaus Center for Globalization and Governance • Office of Population Research • Princeton Survey Research Center • Program in Law and Public Affairs • Program on Science and Global Security • Research Program in Development Studies • Research Program in Political Economy

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Fields of Study for Master’s Candidates At the time of application, each MPA and MPP candidate must select a policy field in which to specialize from among the School’s four fields of concentration.

Field I: International Relations Field I emphasizes the nature of the international system and ways in which states conduct their foreign policies, particularly in a global environment where non-state actors have increasing influence. Examples of focus include: • • • • • • • • • •

Rule of law Diplomacy Elections in fragile states International trade Human rights National security Defense policy Climate change and global environmental governance International negotiation Weapons of mass destruction

Students tend to have previous professional experience in the field, coming from government, media, nonprofits, political organizations, policy think tanks, U.S. armed services, Peace Corps, United Nations, and the World Bank. Since mastery of a foreign language is often needed for future careers, the School provides funding for those who study a language concurrent with their summer internship.

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“Most of my current work centers on the strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China, a topic that raises important theoretical issues in international relations. I enjoy teaching here because the students combine diverse interests, backgrounds, and experiences with a shared concern for problems of policy.�

Aaron L. Friedberg Professor of Politics and International Affairs

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Field II: International Development Field II is concerned with low-income countries and transition economies as they pursue development strategies under a wide range of political regimes and economic conditions. Field II both overlaps and complements Field I. Examples of focus include: • • • • • • • • •

Humanitarian relief Immigration policy Innovations for successful societies Economic development Democratization Conflict resolution Global health Poverty, inequality, and health Social entrepreneurship and innovation

Students typically have worked for government and nonprofit organizations as researchers, analysts, economists, community organizers, human rights observers, election monitors, and Peace Corps volunteers. As with Field I, students can study language while engaging in their summer internship. On occasion, the internship can be extended to a full year of practical experience and language acquisition.

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“Much of my scholarship focuses on the role of effective states in promoting growth and inclusion in the developing world. I love teaching MPAs because many have experience in the developing world and want to do some good.”

Atul Kohli David K. E. Bruce Professor of International Affairs, Professor of Politics and International Affairs

“The cases we use bring the globe into the classroom. Peer learning is a hidden bonus; when we talk about a case study, there is usually a student who can say, ‘I was there and this is what happened.’”

Jennifer A. Widner Professor of Politics and International Affairs; Director, Innovations for Successful Societies

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Field III: Domestic Policy Field III emphasizes U.S. domestic policy, with the American political system as the backdrop. Examples of focus include: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Affordable housing Education Health policy Identity, power, and policy Immigration Energy and the environment Inequality and poverty Democracy or civic engagement Nonprofit management Philanthropy Federal, state, and local finance Social entrepreneurship Urban economic development

Typically students have worked in government, for nonprofit or community-based organizations, on political campaigns, in health policy, and in education as community organizers, program managers, teachers, labor activists, and research fellows.

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“We give students powerful policy design and implementation tools; our graduates’ track record of using them to transform young people’s lives makes the School the most inspiring place to teach.”

Jennifer L. Jennings ’00 Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs

“I research, write, and teach about drugs and health policy in the U.S., focusing on issues of identity, race, ethnicity, and gender. I enjoy introducing students to the historical roots, complex forces, and methods for analyzing public policy.”

Keith A. Wailoo Henry Putnam University Professor of History and Public Affairs; Chair, Department of History

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Field IV: Economics and Public Policy Field IV stresses both the analysis of economic problems that prompt public policy decisions and the study of the economic effects of various policies. Students are expected to master the fundamental principles and tools of economic analysis and to develop the ability to assess and apply the results of professional economic studies.

Field IV overlaps the other three fields but goes beyond the traditional study of policy issues by providing more intensive training in the economic analysis of public policy. Some students choose between a domestic or international focus. Examples of focus include: • • • • • •

International trade policy Behavioral economics and applications Public economics and public finance Economic development Program and policy evaluation Macro and financial policy

Students have usually worked as analysts, program associates, economists, and researchers for global research centers and programs, government agencies and central banks, multilateral organizations, and development finance institutions.

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“The implications of globalization for national welfare and the distribution of income are some of the most important questions of our time and are central to my research.

International trade policy is an exciting field, and I enjoy the high levels of interaction and debate about this important set of issues with our outstanding MPAs.” Stephen Redding Harold T. Shapiro ’64 Professor in Economics, Professor of Economics and International Affairs

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Curriculum Balancing theory and practice, the School’s curriculum fosters an education centered on a policy toolkit that can be applied to difficult policy challenges in the domestic and international spheres and at the local, regional, and national levels. Our students not only develop analytical skills but also acquire substantive knowledge about the world’s most important policy issues. Lectures, seminars, and workshops reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the program. Graduate students have approximately 100 classes to choose from in the School. Occasionally, students opt to take graduate-level courses from across the 42 academic departments that comprise Princeton’s Graduate School.

MPA Integrated Policy Exercise (IPE)

First-year MPA students are required to take part in the IPE, applying skills acquired in the fall analytic courses to a set of specific policy questions.

First-year qualifying examination (QE1)

Offered at the end of the first year, the QE1 requires students to show competence in the core disciplines of economics, politics, psychology, behavioral and quantitative analysis.

Second-year qualifying examination (QE2)

Offered at the end of the second year, the QE2 measures students’ competence in their chosen field of concentration.

Successful completion of an internship

in the summer between the MPA1 and MPA2 years.

Satisfactory completion of the courses

required in a chosen field of concentration.

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Master in Public Affairs Required: 16 Courses

Core Courses

Politics of Public Policy (501) Psychology for Policy Analysis and Implementation (502) Quantitative Analysis (507) Applied Econometrics (508) Microeconomics (511) Macroeconomics (512) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Course Policy Workshop

75+ Electives

MPP

Ph.D.

Master in Public Policy

The Ph.D. program culminates with a thesis and a public oral examination.

Required: 8 Courses Satisfactory completion of eight fullterm courses at the School in a plan of study approved by the relevant faculty advisor or the faculty chair of the MPP program. Participation in the MPP summer program, which precedes the academic year, as well as attendance at the MPP policy forums, which each MPP student must present.

Security Studies

This program prepares doctoral students for rigorous research on major threats to international and national security and the relevant forces that defend against those threats.

12 Courses Areas of Concentration:

Grand Strategies Great Powers and Stability Civil-Military Relations Humanitarian Intervention Insurgency

Arms Control and Proliferation The Threat and Use of Force Cyber Warfare Biological and Chemical Weapons Terrorism and Civil Conflict

Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP)

This program focuses on applications of natural and social science methodology in the policy arena, as well as the interactions between natural and social science in policy analysis.

8 Courses Areas of Concentration:

Global Climate Change Air Pollution Conservation Biology Tropical Disease Transmission

Information Technology Nuclear Power Renewable Energy

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Certificates Students can opt to earn a certificate, allowing them to specialize and deepen their expertise in a specific policy area.

Health and Health Policy (HHP)

The HHP certificate trains graduate students for careers in health policy in the public and nonprofit sectors, giving them an understanding of the determinants of health and well-being and the role that public policy plays in shaping the quality of people’s lives. The program provides broad training in core topics in health policy as well as more specialized courses. It is designed for students with domestic or international health interests.

Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP)

The goal of the STEP certificate is to develop a deeper understanding of current scientific, technological, and environmental issues and potential local, national, and international policy responses. Students receive interdisciplinary training that facilitates communication between technical experts and policymakers. Students may choose to focus their coursework on Energy and Environmental Policy or Information Technology Policy.

Urban Policy (UP)

The policy focus of the UP certificate is global, and the coursework is grounded in the interdisciplinary and comparative study of cities and urban problems in both industrialized and developing countries. The UP certificate emphasizes the social, economic, and political dimensions of urban problems and is designed to prepare students for careers in urban policy analysis and economic development in national, state, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, and international organizations.

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“The HHP certificate helps students understand health determinants and the role that public policy plays in shaping the quality of people’s lives. HHP students are trained by exceptional faculty and will gain tools that enable them to craft effective and innovative health policies.”

Sanyu A. Mojola Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs

“The STEP certificate gives students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of key issues at the intersection of science, technology, and policy.

It emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, which blends scientific knowledge and methods with social science and practitioner perspectives to yield policyrelevant solutions to some of today’s major challenges.”

Elke U. Weber Gerhard R. Andlinger Professor in Energy and the Environment; Professor of Psychology and Public Affairs; Associate Director for Education, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment

“Cities are at the forefront of policy experimentation, design, and implementation.

The Urban Policy certificate trains students to understand and improve these efforts, drawing from both the social and natural sciences.”

Esteban A. Rossi-Hansberg Theodore A. Wells ’29 Professor of Economics and International Affairs

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Policy Workshops Policy workshops are a required part of the School’s MPA curriculum. Students use their acquired analytical skills to evaluate complex and challenging policy issues for real-world government, nonprofit, and industry clients. Students study an issue in great depth and make policy recommendations that are both creative and realistic, cognizant of pertinent institutional and political constraints. Each workshop consists of eight to 10 students, includes School-funded field research during the fall break, and focuses on either a domestic or international policy issue. At the conclusion of the semester, students produce a final written report and present their recommendations to their client and other stakeholders.

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“I have led seven policy workshops, and each time students teach me something new. The workshops allow students to dive deep into timely, highly policy-relevant projects, conducting field research and interacting with policymakers.

Last year, all three recommendations developed by students were enacted into state law.”

Heather H. Howard Lecturer in Public Affairs; Director, State Health and Value Strategies

Recent Domestic Policy Workshop Topics: Guaranteed Income in Stockton, CA Martha B. Coven, John L. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs & Co. Visiting Professor; Visiting Lecturer in Public and International Affairs Gerrymandering Samuel S. Wang, Professor of Neuroscience

Policy, Operational, and Political Implementation Challenges of the ACA Heather H. Howard, Lecturer in Public Affairs; Director, State Health and Value Strategies; and Daniel J. Meuse, Deputy Director, State Health and Value Strategies

“The policy workshop helped me work through a complex policy idea from conception to execution, from the role of cash transfers in household finance to the best products for transferring funds.”

Joelle Gamble MPA ’19

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“The policy workshops propel students into the messy world of conflicting national interests, policy debates, leadership strengths and weaknesses, and politics. Students must apply what they have learned in the classroom to the type of realworld situations they’ll face following graduate school.”

Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer Lecturer in Public and International Affairs; S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies

Recent International Policy Workshop Topics: Diplomacy and Protracted Conflict Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer, Lecturer in Public and International Affairs; S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies

Resettlement and Reintegration in Post-Conflict Environments Jennifer Nealin Parker MPA ’08, Professional Specialist; Lecturer in Public and International Affairs

U.S. Relations with North Korea Frank N. von Hippel, Senior Research Physicist; Professor of Public and International Affairs, Emeritus; and Leon Sigal, Director, Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project, Social Science Research Council

Urban Informality Eugenie Birch, Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania

“As a U.S.-Russia policy aficionado, I’ve used the resources of the School to access some of the world’s toughest areas, from the separatist region of Moldova to the diplomatic front lines of Libya.”

Sakari Ishetiar MPA ’19, JSI ’15

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MPA

Master in Public Affairs The MPA enrolls individuals who have demonstrated a deep commitment to public service through their professional experience, internships, and volunteer interests.

WE ENROLL APPROXIMATELY 70 NEW MPA STUDENTS EACH YEAR.

PROFILE OF ADMITTED STUDENTS* U.S. / International

Male / Female

52%

48%

82%

18%

43%

U.S. Students of Color

PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE YEARS

None - 5% 1 year - 2% 2 years - 11% 3 years - 17% 4 years - 22% 5+ years - 43% SECTOR

PUBLIC SECTOR - 38% NONPROFIT - 53% PRIVATE SECTOR - 9% 23

*Average of admitted students between 2017-2019; numbers rounded to the nearest percent

Joint degree

SINSI

A four-year MPA/Juris Doctor program allows students to combine the study of law and the study of public affairs through formal agreements with law schools at Columbia University, New York University, and Stanford University.

Prospective students must indicate their desire to pursue a joint degree at the time of application by completing an additional joint degree statement and must simultaneously apply to and be admitted at both programs.

Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative (SINSI) is a scholarship program designed to encourage, support, and prepare Princeton University seniors and admitted first-year MPA students to pursue careers in the U.S. government. The program fully funds an average of four students per year — covering two years of study as a MPA student and a two-year fellowship with the U.S. government. Applications are due each year in late October.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE 3.7 - 4.0 - 79% 3.4 - 3.6 - 17% 3.0 - 3.3 - 4%

GRE AVERAGE Quantitative 90% - 99% 80% - 89% 70% - 79% < 69% -

25% 24% 26% 26%

Verbal 90% - 99% 80% - 89% 70% - 79% < 69% -

Analytical Writing 80% 12% 3% 4%

65.0 - 5.5 4.0 - 4.5 < 3.5 -

9% 57% 30% 3%

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Master in Public Policy

MPP

The one-year MPP program is designed for mid-career professionals who are rising leaders in international and domestic public policy. This residential program is a valuable opportunity for those embedded in public service for over seven years to reflect on their experiences, expand their knowledge, and further refine their analytical skills in relation to their chosen professional path.

WE ENROLL APPROXIMATELY 20 NEW MPP STUDENTS EACH YEAR.

PROFILE OF ADMITTED STUDENTS* U.S. / International

Male / Female

63%

37%

65%

35%

33%

U.S. Students of Color

PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE

YEARS

7 - 9 years - 32% 10 - 14 years - 49% 15+ years - 20%

SECTOR

PUBLIC SECTOR - 68% NONPROFIT - 29% PRIVATE SECTOR - 3% 25

*Average of admitted students between 2017-2019; numbers rounded to the nearest percent

GRADE POINT AVERAGE 3.7 - 4.0 - 27% 3.4 - 3.6 - 29% 3.0 - 3.3 - 25% < 3.0 - 18%

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Ph.D. in Public Affairs The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs is a five-year program in which students concentrate in one of two research areas: Security Studies; or Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP). Students analyze serious policy challenges from a multidisciplinary perspective and emerge with high-quality research skills. Ph.D. recipients depart the School prepared for top analytical positions in government and nongovernmental organizations, as well as tenure-track positions in academic institutions.

Ph.D.

WE ENROLL APPROXIMATELY EIGHT NEW Ph.D. STUDENTS EACH YEAR.

PROFILE OF ADMITTED STUDENTS* Male / Female

59%

U.S. / International

41%

54%

46%

17%

U.S. Students of Color

PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE

YEARS

None 1-2 years 3 years 4 years 5+ years -

8% 9% 18% 15% 50%

SECTOR

PUBLIC SECTOR - 35% NONPROFIT - 59% PRIVATE SECTOR - 6% 27

*Average of admitted students between 2017-2019; numbers rounded to the nearest percent

GRADE POINT AVERAGE

3.7 - 4.0 - 65% 3.4 - 3.6 - 15% 3.0 - 3.3 - 20%

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Connect With Policy Leaders

Distinguished Visitors Our distinguished guest visitors don’t simply pop in for a lecture. Policymakers and influencers visit the School for multiple days as part of the Leadership Through Mentorship Program — giving students access to the world’s brightest public servants in small-group or even one-on-one settings. The School also hosts public lectures and student-only talks with accomplished alumni and other notable figures.

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Public Talks

Lunch-Timer Talks

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Leadership Through Mentorship Visitors

Leadership Visitors in 2018 - 2019 KIMBERLY BRYANT Founder and Executive Director, Black Girls Code

MARA LIASSON National Political Correspondent, National Public Radio

ARTHUR BROOKS President, American Enterprise Institute

DR. RAJESH PANJABI Co-founder and CEO, Last Mile Health

MANUEL CEPEDA ESPINOSA Former Chief Justice, Constitutional Court of Colombia

CECILE RICHARDS Former President, Planned Parenthood

JEFF FLAKE Former U.S. Senator (R-Arizona)

ANTHONY ROMERO Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union

DAVID IGNATIUS Foreign Affairs Columnist, The Washington Post

DAVID E. SANGER National Security Correspondent, The New York Times

VALERIE JARRETT Former Senior Advisor to President Obama; Former Chair, White House Council on Women and Girls

MU SOCHUA Deputy Leader, Cambodia Opposition Party

ALEC KARAKATSANIS Founder and Executive Director, Civil Rights Corps 29

CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN Former Governor of New Jersey; Former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

Policy Practitioners Practitioners are an important part of students’ training and bring real-world policy experience to the classroom as leaders in domestic policy and international affairs.

They complement the work of our faculty and enrich the learning experience.

“I teach courses that help students build skills such as legal analysis and effective writing, and bring to the classroom lessons about substance and strategy from my time in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and as an advocate for low-income families.”

Martha B. Coven Visiting Lecturer in Public and International Affairs; John L. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs & Co. Visiting Professor

“I teach a seminar on U.S. policy in the Middle East since World War ll, drawing on case studies to examine what, how, and why it happened. Beginning with the 1979 Iranian revolution, I have been on the scene for many important events in the region. My own career was greatly influenced by my year at Princeton as a Mid-Career Fellow (’84-’85).”

Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker MCF ’85 Diplomat-in-Residence; Visiting Lecturer in Public and International Affairs

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Life Outside the Classroom STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Our students not only bring their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and passions into lively classroom discussions, they also emerge as leaders serving on the Princeton University Policy Student Government — the graduate student government body of the School — or one of our many student-run organizations: • • • • •

Gender and Policy Network Graduate Consulting Group Journal of Public and International Affairs Students and Alumni of Color Women in Politics Network

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION The School is committed to ensuring all members of our community feel respected, included, supported, and valued. We see our diversity as a strength. So much so, we established a Diversity and Inclusion Standing Committee in 2018, comprised of students, faculty, and staff, to make recommendations to the Dean on graduate admissions, curricular offerings, student support services, and public affairs programming.

“As Verna Myers, a noted diversity advocate, asserts: ‘Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.’ And I would add – true inclusion is being one of the people who has a say in what music is played.”

– Dean Cecilia Elena Rouse

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Engage

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The University “Princeton University has a long-standing commitment to service, reflected in Princeton’s informal motto — ‘Princeton in the nation’s service and the service of humanity’ — and exemplified by the extraordinary contributions that Princetonians make to society.”

– Christopher L. Eisgruber, President of Princeton University, Class of 1983

When not engaged in serving others via the School’s student groups or the many volunteer opportunities available through the University’s Pace Center for Civic Engagement, our graduate students can find a plethora of activities to enrich their bodies and minds. Intramural sports range from badminton to spikeball, while Dillon Gym offers the Stephens Fitness Center, Dillon Pool, and many other options to pursue personal fitness.

Any day of the week, dozens of free academic and cultural events can be found around campus, from meditation sessions, art exhibits, and concerts to book talks, films, or panel discussions in nearly any discipline of interest.

Furthermore, the Graduate School recognizes that each graduate student brings a diverse perspective and varied background to the scholarly community at Princeton. The Graduate School has a separate student life team that works to build community across the 42 graduate departments at Princeton with events and programing as well as support and resources. This support is in addition to what we offer at the School.

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Historic

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Community of Princeton The School is located in Princeton, New Jersey, an ideal location that blends smalltown charm with fast, convenient access to the major metropolitan areas of the I-95 corridor. Roughly an hour from both New York City and Philadelphia, Princeton is easily accessible to both via public transit. Train travel via Amtrak to Washington, D.C., takes just 2 ½ hours, allowing students to meet with federal-level policymakers and key influencers as part of field research or policy workshops.

The tree-lined, historic town of Princeton is friendly and active, with the University campus abutting a walkable downtown full of shops, restaurants, and parks. Free transit shuttles connect students with larger grocery stores and retail centers in and around Princeton. The vibrant community is home to many opportunities for leisure pursuits: the Delaware and Raritan Canal, Lake Carnegie, Morven Museum and Garden, the Tony award-winning McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton Garden Theatre, and much more.

183 Miles to

45 Miles to

13 Miles to

51 Miles to

Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia

Trenton

New York City

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Explore

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Careers The graduate career development team and alumni network are invaluable assets to graduates seeking to launch or continue their careers in public policy and international affairs.

Dedicated to working with students throughout every stage of their internship and job searches, career advisors assist students and alumni with career exploration, reviewing application materials, interview preparation, arranging networking opportunities, and salary negotiations.

Students can also participate in professional development workshops on topics like design thinking, presentation skills, speech writing, Python, Excel, negotiation, storytelling, and personality assessments.

The team also brings employers to campus for interviewing and information sessions, coordinates résumé collections and interviews, and serves as a bridge between alumni, students, and employers interested in hiring the School’s graduates.

Career Services support doesn’t stop with graduation: The advising team starts working with students the day they arrive at the School and assists them as alumni seeking new employment or transitioning to a new field at any point throughout their careers.

Summer Internship Full-time summer internships between the first and second years of the MPA program are an academic requirement. Students choose the sector in which they would like to work, and those who secure an unpaid internship are funded by the School.

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PROFILE OF INTERNSHIPS* 55% - Nonprofit/NGO/Foundation 41% - Public Sector 3% - Private Sector 48% - Domestically Focused 52% - Internationally Focused *Average of enrolled students between 2015-2019; numbers rounded to the nearest percent

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First Destinations The Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduate alumni have built diverse careers as leaders and agents for change in the public policy arena. They find challenging opportunities as policymakers, administrators, and managers in government at all levels and in nongovernmental organizations, multilateral organizations, foundations, policy and research institutes, political and advocacy groups, community and economic development organizations, the media, consulting firms, and financial enterprises â&#x20AC;&#x201D; both in the United States and abroad.

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MPA FIRST DESTINATIONS*

Public Sector Nonprofit/NGO/Foundation Sector Private Sector Further Graduate Study Unknown -

42% 38% 15% 4% 2%

Internationally Focused - 55% Domestically Focused - 41% Unspecified - 3% Domestic and International Issues - 1%

MPP FIRST DESTINATIONS*

Public Sector - 56% Nonprofit/NGO/Foundation Sector - 21% Private Sector - 12% Unknown - 6% Further Graduate Study - 4% Internationally Focused Domestically Focused Unspecified Domestic and International Issues -

45% 47% 6% 2%

*Average of enrolled students between 2014-2018; numbers are rounded to the nearest percent. International/Domestic data represents those who obtained a job or fellowship.

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Alumni Network

The 4,200-plus alumni of the School stay connected and engaged after leaving Princeton and are usually willing to talk with new students about their experiences.

The School hosts networking events in cities around the country for alumni and current students.

Princeton Reunions are an annual event that occurs on the weekend before Commencement. Here, members of the MPA Class of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;99 celebrate their 20th Reunion.

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“Knowledge and evidence are at the heart of working in international development, and the School gave me the skills to be an effective producer, consumer, and translator of evidence.”

Shawn Powers MPA ’11 Economist, Education Global Practice, World Bank

“The School’s impact on my career has been profound. By fully investing in my graduate education — and ultimately in me — I have been given the economic freedom to passionately pursue a career of service to low-income communities, families, and children.”

Rochelle Haynes MPA ’06 Vice President, U.S. Social Impact, Sesame Workshop

“The School is like family.

Getting in and going to SPIA is just the beginning of a lifelong journey and professional network dedicated to launching the next generation of public service leaders.”

Fatema Z. Sumar MPA ’06 Vice President of Global Programs, Oxfam America 42

“The School’s MPA program helped give me the know-how to make an immediate impact in the Iowa legislature, despite being a freshman legislator in a deep minority.”

Sen. Zach Wahls MPA ’18 Iowa Senate, 37th District 43

“Both faculty and students are dedicated to the practice of using robust analytical methods to address critical public policy challenges. It is what sets SPIA apart from other policy schools.”

Caroline R. Milne Ph.D. ’17 Research Staff Member, Institute for Defense Analyses

“It’s hard to put into words what the School means to me.

My studies, my research, and the people I met along the way have completely reshaped how I see the world and my place within it.”

David Kanter Ph.D. ’14 Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, New York University

“Princeton’s academic rigor and my classmates’ diversity of experience helped me develop new analytical skills and broaden my outlook on global policy challenges.”

“My year at the School resulted in a significant intellectual growth spurt and sharpened my understanding of public policy. Going back to school gives you the freedom to pursue intellectual interests, develop new capabilities, expose yourself to new approaches and methods, and advance your career.”

Robert C. Watts IV MPP ’17 Executive Officer, USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53)

Siddharth Chatterjee MPP ’11 U.N. Resident Coordinator, United Nations – Kenya

“The top-rate policy education I received at SPIA has been integral to moving my career forward and increasing my knowledge.

I’m a better thinker and manager because of the School.”

Yasmin Elhady MPP ’15 Supervisory Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of Justice 44

Admissions Timeline

Application Deadline: December 1, 2020

Apply Successful applications include: A COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE Because our generous financial aid packages allow students to pursue their passions in public service upon graduation unencumbered by graduate school debt, we lean very heavily in to our public service mission; indeed, it’s the ethos around which we revolve.

Demonstrating a sincere commitment to public service — whether through internships and volunteer service or in your full-time professional pursuits — is the single most important thing an applicant can do.

The total volume of public service is less important than a clear commitment.

The strongest candidates have worked in either the public or nonprofit sectors for two to five years prior to applying for the MPA program and for a minimum of seven years for the mid-career MPP program. For those applying to the Ph.D. program, please ensure that your area of research interest aligns with that of our faculty.

A STRONG ACADEMIC BACKGROUND The School admits individuals who have successfully demonstrated preparation to learn what we teach.

Strong test scores and GPAs are important parts of the application, but they are not all we consider as we holistically and individually review each file. Preparation for our curriculum can be demonstrated in a variety of ways; what in your background indicates you are prepared for it?

LEADERSHIP AND IMPACT Quantified differently for each applicant and each degree program, we’re looking for leaders — on campus, at work, in communities. Did you lead a project or others toward difficult goals? Have you led a team? What was your role in driving change? What impact did you personally have? These are some of the questions we think about as we work to understand your leadership trajectory and professional impact.

DIVERSITY OF PERSPECTIVES The variety of work experience, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity, geographic location, ideological ascription, and numerous other dimensions enhances the quality of the educational experience for all of our students and supports our goal of creating a diverse cadre of policy professionals. Let us know your story and what sets you apart.

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Admissions Decisions: On or around March 15, 2021

Application Checklist MPA O Personal statement O Supplemental essay O CV or résumé O Course list O Policy memo O Transcript O GRE scores O English language test (if applicable) O Three letters of recommendation O Application fee MPP O Personal statement O Supplemental essay O CV or résumé O Policy memo O Transcript O English language test (if applicable) O Three letters of recommendation O Application fee

Admitted Students Decision Deadline: April 15, 2021

“Our application review process is robust and time intensive. First and foremost, we look for a demonstrated commitment to public service or the common good. We also want to understand an applicant’s career goals; are they well-defined and can we meet them? Finally, we want to make sure you can succeed here.

We commit to reading your application with as much rigor and passion as you put into writing it.”

Elizabeth M. Armstrong MPA ’93 Associate Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs; MPA Admissions Faculty Chair

Ph.D. O Personal statement O Supplemental essay O CV or résumé O Writing sample O Transcript O English language test (if applicable) O Three letters of recommendation O Application fee

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Financial Aid OTHER SCHOOLS ASK YOU TO INVEST IN YOUR EDUCATION. AT SPIA WE INVEST IN YOU.

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All students receive 100% of tuition and required fees support irrespective of where in the world they might be from or live.

If you are accepted into one of our programs, then you are eligible for full financial support for tuition and required fees plus a generous need-based living stipend. There is no extra essay or separate application process.

Tuition and student health plan fee for the 2020-2021 academic year: $56,470

MPA MPP Ph.D.

All students receive 100% of tuition and required fees support.

We offer a generous need-based stipend for living expenses for two years of study. Tuition and the stipend will be covered by the School in combination with any outside fellowships and institutional sponsorships.

All students receive 100% of tuition and required fees support.

We offer a generous stipend for living expenses for one year of study. Tuition and the stipend will be covered by the School in combination with any outside fellowships and institutional sponsorships.

All students receive 100% of tuition. We offer a generous stipend for living expenses for up to five years.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Executive Editors Elisabeth Hirschhorn Donahue Steven Petric Designer and Photographer Egan Jimenez Managing Editor Sarah M. Binder Copy Editor Kelly Lorraine Andrews 50

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Contact Have questions about the admissions process or simply want to get a feel for life at the School? Connect with us!

spiaadmissions@princeton.edu 609.258.4836