The Penn State School of Public Policy was established in 2018 to serve as a hub for policy research and curriculum, creating professionals who have the skills to identify, analyze, and solve our major policy issues.
The Master of Public Policy program is ranked in the top third of all programs in the country and attracts students from across the United States and from around the globe.
Public Policy By the numbers
Public Policy by the Numbers
91%
Master of Public Policy completion rate for the 2024-25 academic year
31
students participating in the Master of Public Policy program in the 2024-25 academic year
Top 33%
of Public Affairs programs nationwide
15+
policy-focused student organizations and clubs.
Source: Example Source
Public Policy Spotlights
Upcoming Events
AI and Policy: Policy Profile
Liberal Arts Harrisburg Career Exploration Day
Bridging Community Engagement and Public Policy: Insights from Government Relations Work
Local Government Expo
Policy Profile: Naveen Parmar
“Foreign Policy: The Role of Foreign Aid in Creating Stability”
“Climate Optimism as Activism”
Washington, D.C. Career Day
Alumni Career Conversations: Careers in Intelligence and National Security
Policy Simulation Competition
Policy Profile: Building Collaborative Communities – Regional Planning in Central Pennsylvania
Careers in Environmental Policy Panel
Policy Profile: Higher Education and Policy
Master of Public Policy Informational Webinar
Govern For America Info Session
Penn State Liberal Arts students travel to Harrisburg for career exploration day
More than 60 students from Penn State’s University Park campus traveled to Harrisburg on Oct. 29 for a day of career exploration and networking with Pennsylvania legislators, government professionals and policy experts.
Flood impacts in Global South focus of Geography Coffee Hour
Mook Bangalore, assistant professor of environmental policy in the Penn State School of Public Policy, will deliver a talk about flooding impacts in the Global South at the Department of Geography’s Coffee Hour at noon on Oct. 24 at Penn State University Park.
Penn State School of Public Policy hosts inaugural Local Government Expo
The Penn State School of Public Policy hosted its Local Government Expo on Sept. 20, connecting over 50 students with local government career opportunities through a career fair, networking lunch and policy simulation.
Penn State graduate finds voice through reproductive justice work
Maggie Day, a recent Spanish and education and public policy graduate, is the founder of the Reproductive Justice Project at Penn State.
Liberal Arts graduate prepares to tackle policy and law
Dan Bransfield is a recent master of public policy graduate of Penn State. His campus involvement and policy experiences prepared him to pursue law at Duke University this fall.
Liberal Arts graduate student explores digital inclusion and technology policy
Halima Binte Islam, a public policy graduate student from Bangladesh, is using her time at Penn State to explore research on digital inclusion and AI policy. Through hands-on projects and interdisciplinary collaboration, she’s preparing for a global career in public policy.
College of the Liberal Arts announces spring 2025 student marshals
As part of Penn State’s spring 2025 commencement activities, 34 students will represent the College of the Liberal Arts as student marshals based on outstanding academic achievement and contributions to Liberal Arts student life.
Penn State students make meaningful connections with alumni in Washington, D.C.
More than 30 Penn State students traveled from University Park to Washington, D.C., on March 27 to participate in the School of Public Policy’s annual Career Day.
Two undergraduates recognized with Jackson Lethbridge Tolerance Award
Emmanuel Kraft, who is earning consecutive undergraduate degrees in political science and communication arts and sciences, as well as a master’s degree in public policy at Penn State University Park, and Sean Martin, a junior majoring in digital media, arts, and technology at Penn State Behrend, are the recipients of the 2025 Jackson Lethbridge Tolerance Award.
Penn State School of Public Policy hosts inaugural Policy Simulation Competition
More than 50 students from nearly a dozen Pennsylvania colleges and universities participated in the Penn State School of Public Policy’s inaugural Policy Simulation Competition on March 1.