Public Affairs

The multidisciplinary faculty are nationally recognized experts in public policy analysis, public management and administration, and specialized policy fields that include social and poverty policy, education policy, health policy, environmental policy, economic policy, and policy analysis.With rigorous professional training across several disciplines, La Follette School MPA graduates take up positions as managers and analysts in government at all levels, in the rapidly growing nonprofit sector, and in private firms across the United States.

Six required courses are the foundation of the MPA degree program.

• The Policymaking Process examines the political processes that shape public policy in the United States, and provides the broad contextual framework for understanding the roles of policy analysis and public management in this country.
• Two courses, Intro to Statistical Methods for Public Policy Analysis and Microeconomic Policy Analysis, develop competence in important analytical tools for the study of public affairs. Students learn how to evaluate implications of policies for efficiency and equity, and to employ basic statistical methods to interpret and present quantitative data relevant to policy considerations.
• Introduction to Public Management develops an understanding of leadership in the public sector and, in so doing, builds management skills. Students examine relationships among organizations, problems of accountability and control, human resource management, budgeting and finance, and policy implementation.
• Introduction to Policy Analysis establishes the conceptional foundations and craft skills relevant to policy analysis. Students learn how to define policy problems, determine goals, design policy alternatives, and systematically assess tradeoffs to make recommendations.
• Workshop in Public Affairs, the MPA capstone course taken in the final semester, gives students practical experience working in teams under the direction of a faculty supervisor. They apply the conceptual and analytical tools acquired during three semesters of coursework to issues real-world clients face in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Application RequirementsOnline graduate application found on the UW-Madison Graduate School web site ResumePlease upload a current résumé to the graduate school application. If you cannot upload your résumé to the application, email it to Jennifer Donahoe at jdonahoe@lafollette.wisc.edu. Statement of PurposeThe statement of purpose provides you the opportunity to demonstrate your motivation to pursue the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) or Master of International Public Affairs (MIPA) and your commitment to a public service career. You can use this opportunity to explain how you might contribute to the diversity of the La Follette community. The essay, no more than two pages, double-spaced, can be sent as an upload to the online application or emailed directly to Jennifer Donahoe at jdonahoe@lafollette.wisc.edu. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (submitted online)The admissions committee prefers at least two references from previous professors who can speak to your potential as a graduate student. Recommenders should submit letters through the electronic application. TranscriptsYou can email unofficial transcripts from all prior academic work to jdonahoe@lafollette.wisc.edu. The La Follette School will make admission recommendations based on the unofficial transcripts. However, new students must submit official transcripts in order to be officially accepted by the UW–Madison Graduate School. GRE ScoresAll students must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores before they can be considered for admission. It normally takes two to four weeks for the Educational Testing Service to download GRE scores to UW–Madison. Applicants should plan to take the GRE by early November to make the January priority consideration deadline. The UW–Madison institution code is 1846. The LSAT and MCAT cannot be used in place of the GRE. The GRE must have been taken within the past five years. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test: 92

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The La Follette School awards scholarships and fellowships to new students on a merit basis. Scholarships are provided through generous donors, faculty and alumni.Two types of fellowships are available for La Follette School of Public Affairs students based on merit for their first year.

• La Follette School Fellowships are awarded each year on a merit basis. All students who apply by January 1 have priority consideration. Students are evaluated for fellowships during the application process. There is no separate application. La Follette School Fellowships provide a stipend for the first year of study, in-state tuition, and health insurance. Fellows are also given priority consideration for project assistantships during their second year. A project assistantship (PAship) provides tuition, health insurance coverage, and a stipend. During the second year, project assistants (PAs) pay their student fees.
• University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School Advanced Opportunity Fellowships are awarded to qualified targeted minority students or students from disadvantaged backgrounds. International students do not qualify for this fellowship.