About
Details at a Glance
School Type
Private
Application Fee
$105
Average In-State Tuition
$40,888
Average Out-of-State Tuition
$40,888
Financial Aid Available
Yes
Degrees Offered
Our Program
Preparing Leaders in the Public, Private & Nonprofit Sectors
The MPA is a two-year graduate program offered through the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. We prepare individuals for management and leadership careers in public service. Our MPA offers a solid foundation of core coursework in management, economics and finance, and quantitative analysis.
As a student, you will receive a rich combination of coursework and practical experience, with hands-on opportunities offered both inside and outside of the classroom. MPA graduates go on to work for a wide range of governmental, nonprofit and private organizations, where they serve as managers, executives, and policy analysts, among other things.
Build Your Public Engagement Portfolio with Flexible Learning
The MPA degree program places a strong emphasis on experiential learning. Real-world consulting opportunities, internships, off-campus study, and Capstone experiences help you develop the skill set you need to be successful in your future careers, and provide relevant material for inclusion in résumés and job interviews.
Our flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum also affords you the opportunity to work with renowned faculty across many different departments, schools and colleges at Cornell as you build this expertise.
You have eight broad concentration options to choose from:
- Economic and Financial Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Government, Politics and Policy Studies
- Human Rights and Social Justice
- International Development Studies
- Public and Nonprofit Management
- Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy
- Social Policy
Within each of these concentrations, you have the flexibility to formulate a personalized study plan.
Admissions
We are looking for exceptional students who have the analytical, leadership and communication skills required to take on some of the most complex policy challenges facing our world today. Learn more!
Admissions
Application Fee
$105
Requirements
- TOEFL
- Resume and three (3) letters of recommendation.
- Unofficial copies of your college and university transcrips (an official paper copy is required for all admitted students before matriculating).
- Statement of Purpose and an Essay (see the Admissions section of the MPA Program website for details: www.cipa.cornell.edu).
- Note: As of July 7, 2020, we no longer requires a GRE score for the MPA application.
Application Deadline
Applications for our residential MPA program are due on February 15. To receive consideration for funding, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Student Body
Total Students
209 Students
Female
60% Female
Male
40% Male
Clubs & Associations
Brooks MPA students are a diverse group with interests that cut across the spectrum of public service. Membership in any of the following student-led organizations will give you opportunities to meet others who share your professional interests.
- Cornell Public Affairs Society (CPAS): The peer-led governing organization for the MPA Program, it is dedicated to enhancing the skills required of public policy practitioners. The group organizes both professional and social activities for students.
- Women in Public Policy (WIPP): Founded in 1994, the mission of this graduate student organization is to further the understanding of the role of women in public affairs and policy in the U.S. and abroad. It fosters leadership through professional development, community outreach, and cultural exchange.
- Cornell Policy Review: The official online public policy journal of the MPA Program, the Review is run by Brooks MPA students who serve as both editors and contributors.
- Cornell International City-County Management Association (cICMA): The ICMA is a global organization, founded in 1914, dedicated to promoting excellence in local government. The Cornell Chapter (cICMA) was founded in 2011.
- Cornell Latin America Student Society (CLASS): The goal of this multidisciplinary graduate student organization is to build awareness among Cornell University students about opportunities and challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.
What Our Students Say
"I've always been interested in analyzing and addressing multiple policy issues that don't fit nicely into one field of thought. The MPA's various concentrations and course offerings attracted me, as I felt I could customize my academic program rather than force myself into the confines of an off-the-shelf curriculum." Employment: Manager of Sponsored Programs Development, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
Lillian Gabreski, MPA ‘18"I came to Cornell with the goal of serving in a govt. agency to help underserved communities. The DC Externship program gave me the opportunity to work at the State Department. The coursework I took in public administration, international development, and econ. prepared me to better understand the trends and contribute to the government's mission." Employment: International Relations Officer, U.S. Department of Labor
Mauricio Cortes, MPA ‘17"One of the reasons I chose Cornell was the importance it placed on mission-driven work. In my current role, we spend every day advising on policies designed to make life better for the people in NYS. The experiential work I did focused on delivering real results for real people and this helped me develop that mindset." Employment: Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Policy, The State University of NY
Jamie Frank, MPA ‘13
"I've always been interested in analyzing and addressing multiple policy issues that don't fit nicely into one field of thought. The MPA's various concentrations and course offerings attracted me, as I felt I could customize my academic program rather than force myself into the confines of an off-the-shelf curriculum." Employment: Manager of Sponsored Programs Development, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
"I came to Cornell with the goal of serving in a govt. agency to help underserved communities. The DC Externship program gave me the opportunity to work at the State Department. The coursework I took in public administration, international development, and econ. prepared me to better understand the trends and contribute to the government's mission." Employment: International Relations Officer, U.S. Department of Labor
"One of the reasons I chose Cornell was the importance it placed on mission-driven work. In my current role, we spend every day advising on policies designed to make life better for the people in NYS. The experiential work I did focused on delivering real results for real people and this helped me develop that mindset." Employment: Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Policy, The State University of NY
Tuition & Financial Aid
Average In-State Tuition
$40,888Average Out-of-State Tuition
$40,888
Additional Information
- Financial Aid Available
- Application Fee Waivers Available
Location & Contact
Phone
Email
