Our Alumni Make Change
Our alumni are pursuing work all over the world making change. They are at schools and universities; in researching and consulting; at local, state, and federal agencies; in the private sector; and at nonprofits and NGOs. Some are even pursuing additional education, including PhDs and JDs.
22%
of graduates pursue work at a state agency
20%
of graduates pursue work at a nonprofit organization or NGO
18%
of graduates pursue work in the private sector
11%
of graduates pursue work at a federal agency
Recent Graduate Placements
MPPA Class of 2024 Employment Information
Sample Employers:
- Reclaim Roxbury
- Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Hampshire College
- Jane Doe, Inc.
- Massachusetts Trial Court
Sample Job Titles:
- Data, Records, and Documents Specialist
- Senior Survey and Evaluation Analyst
- Policy and Systems Advocacy Manager
- Planner
- Program Coordinator
Employment Placement Data
| Employment Category | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| National or central government in the same country as the program | 0 |
| State, provincial or regional government in the same country as the program | 3 |
| City, county, or other local government in the same country as the program | 0 |
| Foreign government (all levels) or international quasi-governmental | 2 |
| Nonprofit domestic-oriented | 4 |
| Nonprofit/NGO internationally-oriented | 1 |
| Private sector - research/consulting | 0 |
| Private sector but not research/consulting | 1 |
| Military service | 0 |
| Obtaining further education | 4 |
| Unemployed seeking employment | 3 |
| Unemployed not seeking employment | 0 |
| Status unknown | 3 |
| Total Number of Graduates | 21 |
Graduation Rates for MPPA students entering in 2020:
| Graduated in 2 Years | Graduated in 3 Years | Graduated in 4 Years | Cohort Graduation Rate |
| 83% | 89% | 94% | 94% |
Sample Employers:
- Town of Dedham MA
- New York State Division of the Budget
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving
- US General Services Administration
- Denver International Airport
Sample Job Titles:
- Program Specialist
- Management Fellow
- Project Coordinator
- Budget and Policy Analyst
Internship Placements
Sample of MPPA Internships 2024-25:
- Innovations in Peacebuilding International
- National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA)
- Massachusetts Business Roundtable
- Empowerment through the Arts (ETTA) International
- University of Massachusetts Amherst Student Engagement and Learning
- Boston Housing Authority
- Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation
- Charles River Watershed Association
- University of Massachusetts Amherst Office of Equity & Inclusion
- Massachusetts Senator Joanne Comerford District Office
Past internship placements have included:
- United Nations Development Programme
- Econometrica, Inc.
- Eversource
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Office of Academic Planning and Assessment
- Federal Transit Administration
- State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection
- Massachusetts LBGTQ Chamber of Commerce
- The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance
- Think City
- Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI)
- Jane Doe Inc. The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence (JDI)
- Massachusetts Department of Revenue
- AIDS Project of Southern Vermont
- Project Bread
- Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
- NY Legal Aid Society, Bronx Criminal Defense Practice
- Every Voice Coalition
- Green Energy Consumers Alliance
- City of Boston
- Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR)
- Commonwealth Honors College
- Northeast Recycling Council
- Department of Energy Resources (DOER) / Civic Action Project (CAP)
- Boston Federal Reserve Bank
- City Councilor Kendra Lara
- House Chair Jeffrey Roy - MA Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy
- The Environmental League of Massachusetts
- NOAA OICR Office
- Massachusetts Teachers Association
- Verite
- Hampshire County Sheriff's Office/Jail
- Tapestry Health
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition
- Springfield WORKS
- Congressman Keating District Office MA09
- Tim Whelan for Barnstable County Sheriff
- UR Community Cares
Professional and Career Development
Our curriculum balances academic theory with professional skills development and practical experience, preparing our students go on to become leaders in public service. The program includes:
- Professional Development Opportunities: Including networking trips to Washington, Boston, New York, and across western Massachusetts; a professional development seminar; and career services support
- Internships: A key component of the School of Public Policy's program, allowing students to pursue their individual interests in depth while gaining invaluable professional experience
- Career and Internship Resources: SPP's professional network and biweekly Job Bulletin connect students and alumni with the latest opportunities
- Professional Development Seminar: This one-credit course provides students with the tools and support to reflect on their career interests and goals. They learn how to write resumes and cover letters, research potential careers, practice employment negotiations and public speaking, and put their skills to the test through informational interviews and networking situations. They also have the opportunity to connect with alumni and other professionals.