Best school for public policy?

<p>Hi, I'm interested in public and social policy. I'm considering majoring in political science with a double major in economics in college but I'm also looking at colleges with specific social policy programs. Which of these programs are most highly ranked and thought of in the country? Which schools offer the best policy internships in DC and other major cities? Which place well into graduate and law school? Thanks</p>

<p>Georgetown, U of Chicago, JHU, Tufts are top schools that could be useful. Also Duke (especially if you want to go into something like non-profits). But those schools have good International Relation programs and polisci. U of Chicago has both a good Poli-sci and economics department.</p>

<p>Despite being in Chicago, that doesn’t hinder employment prospects (recruiters will go to where top programs are…regardless).</p>

<p>Also, Berkeley is really good for this type of stuff as well.</p>

<p>All of those schools are really competitive but spread out across the nation. And because they are top schools, reputable recruiters go there.</p>

<p>Hopkins has a very strong Public Policy program, with a 5 year accelerated BA/MPP program. It is also a 45 minute train ride from DC.</p>

<p>Thanks! That Hopkins program sounds great. Do you apply for it as a senior in high school or as an undergraduate after freshman or sophomore year as a polysci or econ major?</p>

<p>I would add Michigan to your list as well. Michigan Poli Sci is one of the best in the nation (think top 3). Also, since you’re interested in public policy, I would look into the Ford School of Public Policy (which is also a top school for public policy). I believe you have to apply for it after your sophomore year though.</p>

<p>Michigan also has a lot of connections in DC, and a lot of people get internships there.</p>

<p>for law school / policy internships in major cities, I recommend Columbia, other good schools:</p>

<p>Georgetown, Penn, GW, yale, chicago, harvard,</p>

<p>A quick search in IPEDS turns up the following programs, sorted by number of undergraduate majors per year:</p>

<p>121 Duke University
76 Princeton University
64 Cornell University
57 University of Michigan
46 University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
45 Syracuse University
33 University of Chicago
22 Brown University
22 Stanford University
17 Carnegie Mellon University
17 College of William & Mary
15 University of Pennsylvania
14 Dickinson College
13 Trinity College
9 Pomona College
5 Vanderbilt University
3 University of Denver
1 Rice University</p>

<p>I have no idea of how it ranks in this area, but Grinnell College has strong public affairs programs, which include internship programs through its semester in Washington, as well as school-sponsored and subsidized summer internships. It has its own version of the Peace Corps, where it sponsors a one-year post-grad “Grinnell Corps” experience for selected students. This fall, will be the first annual presentation of the “Innovator in Social Justice Prize;” the winners will come to campus, along with Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center, for a symposium on social justice.</p>

<p>Grinnell has the Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations and Human Rights; This program is in addition to the traditional academic majors; it is not a curriculum area, but more of an enrichment and practical application program.
[Rosenfield</a> Program - Rosenfield Program | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/rosenfield]Rosenfield”>http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/rosenfield) </p>

<p>Here is information on the social justice prize:
[Grinnell</a> College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize - Social Justice Prize | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/chaplain/socialjusticeprize]Grinnell”>Social Innovator in Residence | Grinnell College)</p>

<p>and upcoming events on campus sponsored by the Rosenfield program:
[Rosenfield</a> Events - Rosenfield Program | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/rosenfield/events]Rosenfield”>http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/rosenfield/events)</p>

<p>Grinnell offers interdisciplinary concentrations in Policy Studies and in Global Development as well.</p>