Our MPA students build the skills to change the world.

The Master of Public Affairs (MPA) at the Watson Institute is an exciting one-year program. The program begins in June and concludes the following May. Students will develop the analytic, communication, and strategic leadership skills they need to tackle societal challenges. 

MPA students can expect a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum, but also the flexibility to ensure they graduate with the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in their careers. Students can elect to pursue the Data-Driven Track, or they create their own, benefiting from our diverse faculty and access to a multitude of Brown graduate offerings.  

Curriculum

Find full descriptions on the required courses page of the website.

Institutions, Issues & the Politics of the Policy Process (3 courses)

• Policy Analysis and Problem Solving
• The Politics of Policymaking in Comparative Perspective
• Policy Problems of the 21st Century

Management and Systems (2 courses)

• Management and Implementation in Public and Non-Profit Organizations
• System Dynamics: Policy Analysis for a Complex World

Economics (2 courses)

• Microeconomics for Public Policy
• Macroeconomics for Public Policy

Statistics and Methods (2 courses)

• Statistics for Public Policy
• Statistics for Program Evaluation

Experiential Learning (2 modules)

• Global Policy Experience
• Policy-In-Action Consultancy

Electives (3 courses)

• Elective 1
• Elective 2
• Elective 3

See the program schedule page for the academic calendar

For more detail about the curriculum and academic policies, see the Brown MPA Graduate Handbook