What are some of your school's core values and how do they come across in the courses and programs that you offer?
The Maxwell School began 100 years ago with a focus on preparing future leaders across sectors to uphold “the foundations and bulwarks of citizenship, intelligently and patriotically,” according to founder George H. Maxwell. While the Maxwell School has evolved over the last century to meet the needs of an increasingly interconnected world, its focus on citizenship has remained a core value. Central to citizenship is a shared goal to make the world better for all through public service, civil discourse and a focus on seeking compromise and solutions that are grounded in evidence and facts. Our coursework is designed to develop skills and promote critical thinking with a mix of classroom instructions and experiential learning opportunities. Our core values are embedded in our courses.
For instance, in our capstone workshop, students worked with the California Department of Social Services to improve service delivery for social safety net recipients. Another partnered with the New York State Education Department to explore alternative high school models to create greater opportunities for non-traditional students. In Program Evaluation, students use data and statistical techniques to quantify discrimination in labor markets recognizing the importance of equity, but also measuring it accurately.
We recognize that the best leaders have both the hard, technical skills to complete complex analysis that can inform decision-making on programs and policies and the soft skills necessary to work with people effectively to design and implement solutions. Our training in both public management and public policy, with courses covering topics like Data Analytics for Public Policy and International Public and NGO Management, provides graduates opportunities to find success on any number of career paths.
What types of programs do you offer?
Our Public Administration and International Affairs Department offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to prepare students for work across sectors and to tackle challenges in an increasingly interconnected world. Our top-rated, 40-credit Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program can be completed in a year and is grounded in a comprehensive view of public service education recognizing the need for three areas of mastery: formulating, implementing, and evaluating public and organizational policy and programs; leading and managing organizations with diverse stakeholders; and applying rigorous and evidence-based analysis to inform policy and organizational decision making.
We also offer a master of arts in international relations (M.A. (IR)) for students who are interested in understanding and pursuing public service in international contexts, including, but not limited to, the diplomatic corps, transnational government and international fund development. In addition, students can pursue joint degrees within Maxwell and at other schools and colleges at Syracuse University, including dual degree programs in M.P.A./M.A. (IR), M.P.A./MBA and J.D./M.P.A. Maxwell also has a unique partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a top think tank, and offers programs in Washington, D.C., through which mid-career professionals can pursue an executive master’s in international relations.
How are you helping to prepare students for careers in public service?
Maxwell is the leading school of public affairs because of its unique approach; its world-class faculty; its well-rounded, interdisciplinary degree programs; and its outstanding alumni. Making contributions early in one’s career and moving into leadership positions requires students who understand technical issues with data and rigorous analysis but also who understand fiduciary responsibilities, budgets, public service ethics, and how to lead and manage people successfully. Our students learn how the policy process works, both through coursework and hands-on, experiential learning. We provide broad opportunities for students to dig deep into their substantive interest areas, including environmental policy, international security, emerging technologies and more, through focused courses and collaboration in our 15 institutes and research centers.
What opportunities are available to students to get work experience while learning?
In addition to hands-on workshops and research opportunities, Maxwell students can gain other work experience through internships, post-grad fellowships and study abroad internship opportunities—including through our unique relationship with the Council of Europe. Maxwell staff cultivate these opportunities through local, state, federal and international partners. Given our long history, these partners understand the quality to expect from a Maxwell intern. And we offer pre-internship training for our students so they can bring immediate value to the organization.
When it comes to both internship and career opportunities, our students benefit from a powerful, global alumni network. These alumni not only open doors after graduation, but they serve as mentors and offer advice for students’ career pursuits, providing information on the proper courses students should pursue to best prepare them for their individual career goals.
What is something unique about your institution?
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs offered the nation’s first graduate program in public administration when it was founded in 1924. Maxwell has a long history of success and has placed public servants, researchers and industry leaders around the world. Maxwell’s highly regarded M.P.A. program is housed within a prestigious school of social sciences, bringing an interdisciplinary approach and expertise not found at other schools. Students collaborate with other majors within Maxwell, such as political science, history and economics, and collaborate with a diverse array of scholars from across Syracuse University in our 15 research centers and institutes, including the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute and the Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship. Our coursework is designed to train individuals to be well-rounded leaders ready to tackle unforeseen challenges.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Do your homework to understand what each school of public affairs has to offer. Also, what type of work do graduates start once they complete their program, and what does their career trajectory look like? This information will help you understand the opportunities available to you once you finish. Similarly, ask about alumni networks. Where do their graduates work? Are their alumni networks local, national or global? The world of public affairs is vast, growing and dynamic. What matters today may be less important tomorrow. Look for an institution that has a strong history and is constantly evolving to best prepare students for an increasingly complex world.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We're celebrating our anniversary! 2024 is our centennial year, and we’re celebrating with special events and initiatives that look at our rich history and build excitement for what’s to come. More about the Maxwell School’s history can be found on our website.