About

The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the nation’s premier public policy schools. It is uniquely positioned within a top-tier research university, the State Capitol and one of America’s most innovative cities. Founded in 1970 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to expand access to the halls of power, the LBJ School offers nationally ranked degree programs that prepare students to address society’s most pressing challenges.

As Texas’ top-ranked policy school for over five decades, the LBJ School provides unmatched opportunities for students to engage with policymakers, industry leaders and innovators in Austin and beyond. The LBJ Washington Center further extends these opportunities with immersive study and work experiences in the nation’s capital.

Home to nationally and internationally recognized scholars, the LBJ School attracts experts across major policy areas, many of whom have held senior positions in government, including the CIA, Department of Defense, Congressional Research Service and the White House. Faculty lead critical research and discussions on today’s most urgent public policy and management issues.

The LBJ School’s graduate programs include the Master of Public Affairs, Master of Global Policy and an Executive program for mid-career professionals, along with more than 18 concurrent degree options in partnership with other UT Austin departments. These programs prepare students for leadership roles across government, nonprofits and the private sector.

In 2025, the LBJ School will launch its first undergraduate program – the Bachelor of Public Affairs – marking a major expansion after more than 50 years of exclusively graduate-level education. The program will equip students with essential skills in policy analysis, data analytics, communications and organizational leadership.

Beyond traditional degree programs, the LBJ School offers comprehensive career development and leadership training for emerging policy leaders. It is also home to several interdisciplinary research centers addressing local, national and global challenges, including the Center for the Study of Race & Democracy, the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab, the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law and the Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy.

With nearly 5,000 alumni worldwide, LBJ graduates are change-makers dedicated to elevating public service. They lead in government, nonprofits, corporations, think tanks and academia – embodying the school’s legacy of preparing thoughtful leaders and scholars.

Committed to advancing the quality of public service, the LBJ School continues to drive education, research and civic engagement at all levels of governance.