Master of Public Affairs (MPA)

Cultivating and elevating future global leaders to address pressing societal challenges

The Ivy League’s only one-year residential master’s program in public affairs, the MPA prepares students to be public policy leaders, analysts and advocates in government, politics, and the nonprofit, and private sectors, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Through our rigorous one-year program that runs from early June to May, students will sharpen their analytical, communication, and strategic leadership skills needed to address pressing societal challenges as future global leaders.

Graduate Admissions

The Brown Master of Public Affairs Program considers admitted students for a variety of scholarship opportunities, and all admitted MPA students receive some level of merit-based financial aid.
Visit Page
Learn about the Brown MPA by registering for one of our upcoming Informaton Sessions! Information sessions are 45 minutes long, including Q+A in the final 15 minutes.
Visit Page

100,000 +

Brown University alumni network across 152 countries

100 +

Employers hired our 2021-2023 graduates

30 +

Professional development events

Every day I have to effectively boil down complex policy topics into something brief and digestible...We spent a lot of time at Brown learning how to write impactful policy papers in as few pages as possible, and I have definitely carried that skill into my work.

Benjamin Lopez MPA ’22
 
Benjamin Lopez

Living in Providence

With its low cost of living, historic architecture, and nationally renowned dining scene, the capital city is a vibrant place to live and work.
Learn More

MPA Student Experience

Laura Cianciolo, who earned her Master of Public Affairs at the Watson Institute in 2024, credits her Watson-acquired expertise in statistics, econometrics, data visualization, problem-solving skills and interdisciplinary problem-solving with empowering her to conduct more sophisticated and meaningful research.
Read Article
The combination of data analytics and policy analysis taught in Watson's Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program prepares people for real-world situations, whether they are working in government, for a think tank, or in the private sector. The mentoring and support among MPA alumni can also lead to professional development.
Read Article