Fully Funded Master’s Programs in Public Policy and Public Administration

Dec 12, 2023
The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs offers a fully funded Master's in Public Policy (MPP) degree for rising international and domestic public policy leaders. This is a photo of the Princeton University Campus on a cool, cloudy early spring morning.
The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs offers a fully funded Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) degree for rising international and domestic public policy leaders.

As part of our series How to Fully Fund Your Master’s Degree, here is a list of universities that offer fully funded Master’s programs in Public Policy and Public Administration. A master’s degree in Public Policy and Public Administration is the perfect choice for people looking for careers in government management positions, corporate communication roles, public relations, and academia.

“Full funding” is a financial aid package for full-time students that includes complete tuition remission as well as an annual stipend or salary during the entire program, which for Master’s degrees is usually 1-2 years. It’s essential to look at a variety of schools because not all universities offer fully funded Master’s programs in Public Policy and Public Administration.  It is generally understood that to receive this funding, the student will have to teach or perform research for the university. Many of these programs will allow scholars to travel across the country and the world, so start searching for the best program for you!

The ProFellow database for graduate and doctoral study also spotlights external funding opportunities for graduate school, including dissertation research, fieldwork, language study, and summer work experiences.

Take a look at the list below to explore fully funded Master’s programs in Public Policy and Public Administration that will give you access to experiences with nonprofits, improve your leadership skills, and equip you to deal with global affairs.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards!

Duke University Fully Funded Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program

The Master of Public Policy Program at Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy in Durham, North Carolina, provides merit-based scholarships to all accepted Master of Public Policy (MPP) applicants who are not receiving full funding from outside sources. Subdiscipline areas include Energy & Environment; Health Policy; International Development Policy; National Security & Foreign Policy; Social Policy; and Tech Policy. US citizens are also guaranteed assistantships for two academic years of study. International students may apply to positions that remain open.

Pardee RAND Graduate School MPhil in Policy Analysis

The Pardee RAND M.Phil. in Policy Analysis combines a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum with real-world, on-the-job training at a global policy research organization. Students graduate with a deep analytic toolkit, ready to tackle the hardest policy challenges. Pardee RAND is unique in requiring master’s students to complete 150 days of experiential learning or on-the-job training (“OJT”) over the course of their two-year degree. Full funding is not guaranteed. However, students are paid for their on-the-job training research requirement, and scholarships are available to help offset tuition.

Princeton University Fully Funded MPP/MPA Programs

The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs offers a fully funded Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree for rising international and domestic public policy leaders. The School also offers a fully funded Master in Public Affairs (MPA). The School aims to enable graduate students to earn a graduate degree without incurring debt, making it more feasible to pursue public service careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. Unless applicants receive outside scholarships from governmental or other funding agencies, the School will offer each candidate a full scholarship for tuition and a need-based stipend to cover living expenses.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Fully Funded Master’s in Political Science

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers a fully funded Master’s in Political Science. Graduate study in Political Science is offered in the following areas of specialization: American Politics, Political Psychology and Biopolitics, International Relations, and Public Policy. All assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. Once funded, students who remain in good standing can anticipate continued support — MA students for four semesters. Graduate assistantships carry tuition waivers. Funded students at the MA level serve as research assistants, which involves working with and assisting faculty in research and/or teaching.

Yale University Fully Funded Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Global Affairs Program

The Yale University M.P.P. in Global Affairs offers a four-course interdisciplinary core curriculum that provides students with a shared intellectual foundation focused on the acquisition of the ideas, ways of thinking, and skills needed for leadership in global affairs. The Jackson School is committed to making our Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) program accessible to every student who is admitted. 100% of entering students entering have their tuition fully covered through a Jackson tuition fellowship, external funding, or a combination of both. Typical funding levels include fully covered tuition through a combination of a Jackson tuition fellowship and/or external funding, with some fellowships also providing a stipend for living expenses.

Concordia University Fully Funded Master’s in Political Science

Based in Canada, Concordia University offers a fully funded Master’s in Political Science. The MA in Political Science gives you the opportunity to address some of the most pressing questions in contemporary politics. Your research will be applicable to academia, public administration, private industry, and NGOs. You will have access to inter-institutional research centers and research networks. Funding packages are generally available for students in thesis-based programs. They come in the form of awards, teaching, and research assistantships offered to most students at the time of admission to allow them to focus on their research and studies. No separate application is required.

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