Professional Programs

The Maxwell School offers these graduate professional degrees:

• a master’s of public administration (M.P.A.);
• a master’s of arts in international relations (M.A (I.R.));
• a joint M.P.A./M.A (I.R.);
• a joint M.P.A./J.D. (offered with SU’s College of Law);
• a joint M.A. (I.R.)/J.D. (offered with SU’s College of Law); and
• an executive M.P.A., tailored to the needs of midcareer students by Maxwell’s Executive Education program.

For more information, visit the web pages pertaining to these departments:

Public Administration. The goal of the M.P.A. program is to educate the next generation of leaders for all levels of government in the United States and abroad, and for nonprofit or private organizations. Its three-pronged interdisciplinary curriculum ensures that all graduates understand the political, economic, and social context of public administration; achieve substantial competency in organization design and analysis and in management and administrative techniques; and gain experience in applying qualitative and quantitative analysis to public policy issues.

The department also offers a M.P.H. degree, with SUNY Upstate Medical University, that prepares students to investigate and manage public health problems.

International Relations. The master’s degree prepares students for leadership in public and international affairs. The multidisciplinary program emphasizes integrative, interdisciplinary social science perspectives, as well as practical and collaborative experiences that enable students to deal with global governance and policy issues. It features a number of off-campus options in the United States and abroad.

Executive Education. Executive Education is the home of the executive M.P.A. and various 12-credit certificate programs, all geared toward midcareer professionals updating their knowledge and sharpening their skills in a challenging academic environment. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of professionals and can be customized to fit individual interests and goals. The typical applicant has significant managerial experience and at least an undergraduate degree. Executives come from across the United States and around the world, with backgrounds in government service, the private sector, and nonprofits.