The UMass Amherst School of Public Policy (SPP) maintained its excellent position in the annual graduate school rankings of public affairs programs compiled by US News and World Report this year. Placing 56th out of 268 programs in Public Affairs, SPP ranks in the top 20% of graduate public affairs schools in the United States.
SPP ranks first among public affairs programs at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts and second overall in the Commonwealth. The School is ranked second among public affairs programs in New England among public universities and is tied at third place among all New England public affairs programs.
"We are thrilled at the recognition by our peers of SPP's significant growth this past year," said Jane Fountain, director of the School of Public Policy. "SPP boasts an incredible faculty who merge deep commitment to public service education with world class research."
SPP has achieved significant milestones in recent years. The School incorporated the Data Analytics and Computational Social Science (DACSS) program into its suite of graduate programs in 2024, providing crucial expertise to students in data analytics and a range of quantitative methods vital to public service. UMass Women Into Leadership (UWiL), a competitive professional development and leadership program for students interested in public sector careers, and led by SPP Executive Director Crystal Paul, contributes to the School’s expansion. With a current cohort of 27 students and an alumni network of over 200, UWiL provides extraordinary opportunities for emerging changemakers. Public Interest Technology (PIT), a new campus-wide initiative focusing on development of policy solutions in a technology-driven world, has a strong base in SPP.
A growing, world-class faculty in the School, numbering more than 30 engaged policy scholars, brings to bear interdisciplinary expertise in fields including environment and sustainability, science and technology policy, nonprofit and public management, social policy, and more. A new undergraduate major in Public Policy, launched in 2022, graduates its first cohort of young leaders in May. The School’s ever-expanding alumni network continues to drive change at the local, national and global levels tackling critical policy challenges in areas such as climate resilience and adaptation, social justice, and media and technology policy and more.
We are proud of our history of public service and exciting growth at a time of great need. The School is building on this momentum strengthening existing programs, expanding new offerings, and developing enduring partnerships. “The need for public service commitment and expertise has rarely been greater or more consequential,” says Fountain. “As our country and the world continue to face complex policy challenges, the School of Public Policy leans in to strengthening democracy, opportunity, and policy know-how through education, engagement and research as a vital professional school on the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts.”