Combine your interest in public administration with another graduate degree at Penn
All degree students at Fels can take advantage of classes across Penn’s 12 world-class graduate schools through elective course choices. If you seek a deeper dive into an additional academic field, you can also pursue a dual degree. You must apply and be admitted to each degree program separately and are responsible for completing the full requirements. Each dual degree has a course plan which allows “double-counting” of specific courses, reducing the number of courses and time required to earn both degrees.
Dual degrees are currently available for the following programs:
The joint program with the Master of Science in Social Policy from the School of Social Policy and Practice prepares students to assume positions of leadership in public, nonprofit, and private organizations that develop, influence or implement policy. The MSSP and MPA degrees complement one another in content and approach, and the dual degree enhances the breadth and depth of policy and practical experience students explore during their studies. Through the Master of Public Administration program, students gain significant practical experience in leadership and administration of public sector organizations; through the Master of Science in Social Policy program, students gain robust knowledge of social policy with a focus on equity.
The Master of Public Administration program prepares students for leadership roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private firms engaging in public sector work. The joint program with the Master of Science in Education Policy invites students to do so while examining issues and methodologies specific to education policy. The individualized and interdisciplinary program of study in education policy complements Fels’ aim to meet complex challenges of the public sector through critical analysis and an understanding of the context. This combination gives graduates a competitive advantage in careers focused on leadership and policy and the education sector, locally, and nationally.
The Master of Public Administration program prepares students for leadership roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private firms engaging in public sector work. The joint program with the Master of Public Health at the Perelman School of Medicine allows students to do so while also gaining specific research, education, and service experience to promote public health. This combination gives graduates a competitive advantage in careers focused on policy and the public health sector.
Combining the Master of Public Administration from the Fels Institute of Government with the Master in Law from the Penn Carey Law School enables students to build skills typically taught in the law school classroom and examine critical legal issues impacting their professional roles and fields. The Master in Law’s individualized and interdisciplinary program of study in legal issues complements Fels’ aim to meet complex challenges of the public sector through critical analysis and an understanding of context. This combination affords graduates a competitive advantage in careers focused on policy and the legal sector.
The joint program with the Master of Environmental Studies enables students to study for leadership roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private firms while developing strong knowledge, skills, and experiences in environmental studies and related areas. The individualized and interdisciplinary program of study in the MES complements Fels’ aim to meet complex challenges of the public sector through critical analysis and an understanding of context. This combination gives graduates a competitive advantage in careers focused on leadership and policy in the environmental science field.
The Master of City Planning program offered through the Weitzman School of Design is a two-year degree during which students obtain a broad set of skills that prepare them for careers in planning-related fields and deep knowledge and experience in one of six concentrations: Sustainable Transportation and Infrastructure Planning; Housing and Community and Economic Development; Urban Design; Smart Cities; Land Use and Environmental Policy; and Public and Private Development. The dual degree prepares students for leadership roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private firms. This combination gives graduates a competitive advantage in careers focused on policy, city planning, and city management.
The JD/MPA program prepares students to substantively connect the law and government in our society and our world. Graduates are well-equipped to assume positions of leadership not only in law and in government, but also in policy organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other organizations of influence. The JD and MPA degrees complement one another in content and approach, and the dual degree enhances the breadth and depth of policy and practical experience students explore during their studies. Through the MPA program, students gain significant practical experience in leadership and administration of public sector organizations; through the JD program, students gain robust knowledge and skills in the practice of law. This combination gives graduates a competitive advantage in careers focused on policy and law in the private or public sector, locally, and nationally.
The joint program with the Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in International Educational Development at the Penn Graduate School of Education allows students to examine the interplay of local, national, and international politics, policies, and priorities as they relate to education in developing countries. Students draw on the joint program’s strong interdisciplinary curriculum to cultivate educational and administrative sets of expertise including, but not limited to: leadership, literacy, poverty, curriculum development, public health, human rights, teacher preparation, refugee rights, and humanitarian aid in international contexts. This combination gives graduates a competitive advantage in careers focused on public administration and education locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Master of Public Administration program prepares students for leadership roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private firms engaging in public sector work. The joint program with the Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Education, Culture, and Society invites students to do so while examining the social and cultural contexts of schooling. The individualized and interdisciplinary program of study in social foundations of education complements Fels’ aim to meet complex challenges of the public sector through critical analysis and an understanding of context. This combination gives graduates a competitive advantage in careers focused on policy and the education sector, locally, and nationally.
We recommend students interested in a dual degree apply to both programs concurrently to support academic planning. Please indicate your intention to apply for a dual degree in your application to Fels. We recommend discussing your interests with advisors from both programs before applying. For more information, contact felsinstitute@sas.upenn.edu.
