To build a robust foundation in public affairs, students engage in cross-disciplinary coursework across six key subject areas. This coursework provides essential knowledge and skills for effective practice within the broad domain of public affairs:

• Data Analytics
• Leading and Managing Organizations 
• Politics and Policy
• Race and Racism
• Applied Microeconomics

These foundational courses are designed to equip students with the interdisciplinary knowledge necessary for effective problem-solving and decision-making in the field of public affairs.

The Brooks MPA Degree hones policy communication skills. While decision analytics are an important part of successful public affairs practice, equally important is the ability to present analytics in clear, concise, and consumable ways; the Brooks MPA Degree hones verbal and written communication through intensive training in data visualization, effective policy communication, and presentation skills.

• Effective Policy Writing
• Public and Nonprofit Marketing

Following core foundational training, Brooks MPA students further develop their professional skills through tools courses, including:

• Accounting and Financial Management
• Strategic Negotiations
• Strategic Thinking and Planning

MPA Degree concentrations at the Brooks School are designed to facilitate expertise in spaces critical for global impact.  Concentrations leverage the competitive research and teaching strengths of the Brooks School, as well as build on strong core foundational training. Brooks MPA students begin developing their specializations through a Gateway Course—these field seminars provide students with the state of art and science in a concentration and create a cohort of peers with similar interests.  

Concentrations available through the Brooks MPA Degree include the following:

• Data Science
• Economic Policy
• Environmental and Sustainability Policy
• International Policy and Management
• Public and Nonprofit Management
• Science and Technology Policy
• Social Policy: Health, Education, and Inequality

Each concentration is designed to provide you with specialized knowledge and skills to advance your career in your chosen field. For detailed information on course requirements and how they align with your professional goals, consult with your faculty mentor and refer to the Program Handbook and Course Guide.

Proficiency in analysis and written communication is crucial in the public affairs profession. We offer several avenues to enhance these skills and demonstrate your professional competency:

• Capstone Project: Undertake a rigorous, semester-long, pro bono consulting project for real clients in public agencies or nonprofits. This project culminates in a comprehensive written report.
• Professional Report: Expand your summer internship experience by enrolling in a semester-long independent study or directed reading course. This will result in a detailed professional report that aids your client in decision-making and program management or evaluation. For more details, refer to the Program Handbook and the MPA Professional Writing Guide.

Thesis: Writing a master’s thesis is an option for those considering a PhD or who have a specific research interest within public affairs. This involves broad yet focused research. Consult the Program Handbook and the MPA Professional Writing Guide for further details. For additional information on writing a research thesis and format, see the Thesis and Dissertation Guide on the Cornell Graduate School website.

Career Management for Public Affairs

The MPA Program Colloquium comprises a series of courses to equip students with the skills needed for the public affairs sector and familiarize them with current perspectives in the field. These courses are crucial for a thorough understanding of public affairs and for a smooth transition into professional roles.

During the fall of their first year, students take this course to explore the public affairs career landscape and to acquire essential career management tools, including effective resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques, online reputation management, and self-assessment strategies.

Professional Development for Public Affairs

Both first- and second-year MPA students participate in this course each spring. The seminar series is case-based and interactive, encouraging students to explore how public affairs challenges are addressed across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Students collaborate with peers to identify alternative decision options and develop potential resolutions.

The Brooks MPA Degree is founded on applied learning—as much as possible, we want students to immediately apply what they learn in the classroom to solving management and policy problems through externships, internships, micro-credential programs, policy clinics, and our Capstone Program. These opportunities to “learn by doing” engage students in consulting and advisory engagements around the world and are an important part of Cornell’s land-grant mission, as well as the Brooks School’s commitment to measuring success by how we impact the world.

Gaining hands-on professional experience in public affairs is a vital component of the MPA Program. Students are required to obtain practical work experience relevant to their concentration. There are three options to fulfill this requirement:

• Internship
• Off-Campus Study/Externship Program
• Graduate Certificate Program:
  • Environmental Finance and Impact Investment (EFII) 
  • Infrastructure Project Management and Finance (IPMF)
  • Systems Thinking, Modelling, and Leadership (STML)