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Know-How to Change the World
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Our Degree Programs

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Bachelor of Public Affairs

A degree that prepares graduates with skills in leadership, policy analysis and organizational management for a career in public service at every level, from city hall to Capitol Hill

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Master of Public Affairs (MPAff)

The first graduate public affairs program to blend academic theory with practical experience—preparing students to make an immediate impact in the world

MGPS classroom

Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS)

A degree program designed for the globalized world, offering an interdisciplinary and practical command of international policymaking

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Master of National Security (MNS)

A degree that equips students with analytical skills and strategies to tackle today’s most urgent challenges, emphasizing emerging tech, data-driven decisions and innovative policy solutions for careers in both public and private sectors

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Executive Master of Public Leadership (EMPL)

A 12-month program preparing nonprofit and public professionals for senior leadership with substantial in-person coursework, interaction with high-performing leaders and practical simulations for real world readiness

DC Concentration (MPAff/MGPS)

Accelerated DC Program (MPAff/MGPS)

An immersive 15-month course of accelerated study and work in Washington DC for careers in domestic and international federal policymaking

PhD in Public Policy

Ph.D. in Public Policy (Ph.D.)

A flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum–emphasizing strong faculty mentorship alongside rigorous analytical and professional training–intended to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and real-world policy impact

 

Executive and Professional Training

Events

Open House
Event Status
Scheduled
Date and time: Thursday November 5, 2026, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Join the LBJ School's Office of Student Affairs and Admissions (OSAA) to learn more about our graduate programs and how to apply!
LPSR
Event Status
Scheduled
Date and time: Friday November 6, 2026, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Location:Bass Lecture Hall, LBJ School of Public Affairs
"Desde la Raíz - Building Generational Well-Being," this free, open-to-the-public annual event brings together thought leaders, researchers,
EEE Seminar
Event Status
Scheduled
Date and time: Friday November 6, 2026, 10:30 am - 11:45 am
Location:LBJ School of Public Affairs, SRH 3, Room 3.124
The LBJ School of Public Affairs, UT Economics, and the McCombs Department of Business, Government, and Society will continue our Environmental Economics research series for the Fall 2026 semester, featuring academics and subject matter experts in the field.

News & Research

LBJ School Student Ukraine Water Simulation

LBJ School Policy Research Project Uses Simulation to Explore Ukraine’s Path to EU Water Standards

October 23, 2026
This month, graduate students in the LBJ School's Policy Research Project on Ukraine’s water sector took part in a simulation that transported them to the year 2030. In this scenario, a wastewater treatment plant in Zalishchyky, a small town in western Ukraine, had opened on schedule, but the river beside it was barely cleaner. When the European Commission requested treatment data, nobody could provide it. Playing the roles of the institutions responsible for the project, students had one afternoon to work together, uncover what went wrong and identify the challenges standing in the way of meaningful water sector reform.
A vote sign outside of the LBJ School

LBJ School Serves as 2026 Midterm Voting Location

October 20, 2026
The LBJ School of Public Affairs will serve as a polling location for the 2026 Midterm Election during both early voting, Monday, October 19, through Friday, October 30, and on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3.
LBJ GPAC President Ella Barwick

LBJ School GPAC President Builds Community and Connects Engineering with Policy

October 2, 2026
For GPAC President Ella Barwick (MPAff ‘27), getting involved in the LBJ School community is about showing up, asking questions, helping others and finding ways to contribute to the community around her.