Career Outcomes

LBJ School student at the Capitol Building in DC

Policy Areas

With a degree in Public Affairs, you could pursue careers in many policy areas and sectors. We have alumni working in:

Consulting

Provide policy recommendations to organizations to address challenges and meet goals.

  • TIP Strategies
  • Deloitte
  • Guidehouse
Healthcare Policy

Address public health challenges and promote community health initiatives.

  • Austin Public Health
  • Oregon Office of Rural Health
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield 
Education

Decide the role the government should play in equitable access to quality learning.

  • Texas Education Agency
  • Raise Your Hand Texas
  • Texas Workforce Commission
Energy and Environment

Develop and implement policies to protect natural resources and combat climate change.

  • U.S. Department of Energy
  • PowerHouse Texas
  • Jupiter Power
Social Policy

Determine how the government meets the needs of its most vulnerable citizens.

  • U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
  • Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
  • UN Refugee Agency
National Security

Protect national interests through policy and strategic planning.

  • Central Intelligence Agency
  • Defense Intelligence Agency
  • Beacon GLobal Strategies
International Affairs

Maintain global peace and security

  • United Nations
  • International Monetary Funds
  • World Bank
Housing

Address housing issues, from affordability to urban planning.

  • U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
  • Caritas of Austin
  • Movability

2025 Career Outcomes Report (PDF)
 

At least 90 percent of MPAff and MGPS graduates from Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.

 

Our LBJ School graduates begin their careers across sectors and across the world.

 

Pie chart indicating the percentage of 2024-2025 school year Master of Public Affairs graduates working in a certain sector. 21.2% are working in state government. 21.2% are working for a private organization. 16.5% are working in local government. 16.5% are working for a nonprofit or an NGO. 4.7% are working in the federal government. 4.7% are pursuing an advanced degree. 15.3% are working in other or unknown sectors.

 

Pie chart indicating the percentage of 2024-2025 school year Master of Global Policy Studies graduates working in a certain sector. 30% are working in state government. 20% are working for a private organization. 20% are working for a nonprofit or an NGO. 17.5% are working in the federal government. 5% are pursuing an advanced degree. 7.5% are working in other or unknown sectors. The image also indicates that the average salary for this Master of Global Policy Studies cohort is $82,000.

 

Most common subsectors for 2024-2025 graduates (overall): 

State Government   

Local Government   

Federal Government   

Consulting 

Nonprofits and Advocacy Organizations 

International Affairs and NGOs 

Higher Education and Research 

Technology and Corporate Roles 

EmployerPosition
America Works Network of CompaniesCorporate Representative
Applied MaterialsGlobal Community Affairs Associate
Austin City Council District 4Policy Aide
Austin EnergyRegulatory Policy Analyst
Campus CompactSenior Manager of EnviroCorps
Capitol Hill Consulting FirmLegislative Assistant
Center for Strong Public SchoolsSenior Director, Policy and Advocacy
Central HealthExternal Affairs Specialist
Children's Advocacy Centers of TexasExternal Relations Specialist
CiscoSoftware Engineer
City of AustinGovernment Relations Senior Coordinator
City of AustinBusiness Process Consultant
City of AustinBusiness Process Specialist
City of AustinProgram Coordinator
City of Austin  Budget Analyst II
City of Austin  Business Process Specialist
City of Austin - Auditor's OfficeAuditor
City of EnnisEconomic Development and Grants Coordinator
CivitechResearch Fellow
Darren Walker Scholars ProgramAssistant
DeloitteBusiness Analyst
E3 AllianceResearch Analyst
ERCOTMarket Rules Analyst
Fairfax County GovernmentManagement Analyst
Federal CourtTerm Clerk
Futures Without ViolenceProgram Manager
GartnerConsultant
Gerson Lehrman GroupManager of Advanced Analytics
Guoyeshimin Investment Management PartnershipPresident/Partner
Hogg Foundation for Mental HealthProgram Associate
KearneyAssociate  
KPMG- IndiaSpecialist
Middle SeatStrategic Communications & Digital Fundraising
MSI ConsultingSenior Consultant
Office of Program ResearchBudget Fellow
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Whatron & Garrison LLPAssociate
Representative Chris Turner for HD 101Field Organizer
Resilient HeritagePrincipal
Resound ResearchPolicy Communication Manager
Rochester Prep Charter SchoolMathematics Teacher
Seoul Metropolitan GovDirector
Socure Content Marketing Manager
Stoker for TexasCampaign Coordinator
Strategic PartnershipsLead Business Development Research Analyst
TeslaSenior Talent Partner
Texas Civil Rights ProjectPolicy Analyst
Texas Gun SenseAdvocacy and Outreach Coordinator
Texas Health and Human ServicesBehavioral Health Program Specialist V
Texas Health and Human ServicesMedicaid and CHIP Services Fellow
Texas Health and Human ServicesProgram Specialist IV
Texas Health and Human ServicesBehavioral Health Policy Advisor, Medicaid & CHIP Services
Texas Health and Human Services CommissionPolicy Analyst
Texas House of RepresentativesLegislative Director
Texas Rural FarmersProgram Manager
Texas Senate Research CenterPolicy Analyst
Texas State Auditor's OfficeAuditor
Texas State Auditor's OfficeSenior Government Analyst
Texas Sunset CommissionPolicy Analyst
Texas Workforce CommissionChild Care and Early Learning Policy Analyst
Texas Workforce CommissionProgram Specialist  
The Arc of TexasDirector of Public Policy and Advocacy
The University of Texas at AustinCase Manager for the Office of Student Outreach and Support
TIP StrategiesAssociate Consultant
Travis CountyPlanning and Budget Analyst
United WayCoalition Manager for Economic Advancement
US ArmyTransportation Officer
US District Court, Western District of TexasJudicial Law Clerk
UT AustinCoordinator
EmployerPosition
Baker Institute Center for Energy StudiesResearch Associate  
Baker McKenzieAssociate Attorney
Beacon Global StrategiesAssociate
Charity: WaterWater Programs Associate
Fund for PeaceResearch Assistant
Gov NavigatorsChief Operating Officer
Institute for the Study of WarRussia Researcher
International Institute for Strategic StudiesResearch Analyst for Defense and Military Analysis
Junior Achievement of Central TexasEducation Program Coordinator
Latino Research InstituteResearch Associate II
Lift to RiseAssociate Director of Policy and Research
Magnit GlobalLocalization Project Manager
National Security Innovation CouncilPolicy Analyst
ServiceNowSenior Account Executive
Strategic PartnershipsLead Research Analyst
Texas Commission of Environmental QualityProgram Specialist V - Intergovernmental Relations
Texas Commission on Environmental QualitySenior Grants and Policy Analyst
Texas Department of Emergency ManagementPolicy Analyst
Texas Legislative CouncilPolicy Research Specialist
Texas SenateLegislative Editor
Texas SenateLegislative Aide
Texas Sunset Advisory CommissionPolicy Analyst
Texas Sunset Advisory CommissionPolicy Analyst
Texas Veterans CommissionStaff Services Officer
Thomas Ray Garcia for Texas State Board of EducationCampaign Manager
US Air ForceIntelligence Officer
US ArmyCaptain, Infantry Officer
US Department of StateLanguage Specialist
UT AustinCareer Coach
World ReliefEmployment Senior Program Specialist

Current students: Sign up for career advising, register for career events, or look for jobs by clicking the button below.

12twenty@Texas

Connect With Us


Office of Career Management

Location
SRH 3.104

Phone
512-471-4292

Email
lbjcareers@austin.utexas.edu


Graduation Rates (Complete data in PDF)

MPAff 2017 Entry Grad Stats (MPAff allows part-time students)

ProgramEntry Year# EntryTime to Grad-Median# 19 months to Grad or less (Sp2019) or before# 22 months to Grad (Su2019)# 26 months to Grad (Fa2019)#30 months to Grad (Sp2020)# 34 months to Grad (Su2020)# +36 months to Grad# Exit Program-No Degree# In Progress (as of Sp2022)% Grad Rate
MPAff20177919 months or 4 semesters or 1.5 years or Sp 201944 (55%)4 (5%)5 (6%)9 (11%)2 (2%)4 (5%)7 (8%)4 (5%)91%
MPAff-DUAL20172430 months or 6 semesters or 2.5 years or Sp20208 (33%)2 (8%)10 (42%)2 (8%)0002 (8%)100%

 

MGPS2017 Entry

ProgramEntry Year# EntryTime to Grad-Median# 19 months to Grad or less (Sp2019) or before# 22 months to Grad (Su2019)# 26 months to Grad (Fa2019)#30 months to Grad (Sp2020)# 34 months to Grad (Su2020)# +36 months to Grad# Exit Program-No Degree# In Progress (as of Sp2022)% Grad Rate
MGPS20174219 months or 4 semesters or 1.5 years or Sp201924 (57%)3 (7%)4 (9%)3 (7%)01 (2%)7 (16%)083%
MGPS-DUAL20171330 months or 6 semesters or 2.5 years or Sp20202 (15%)009 (69%)1 (7%)1 (7%)00100%

 

MPAff 2018 EntryGrad Stats (MPAff allows part-time students)

ProgramEntry Year# EntryTime to Grad-Median# 19 months to Grad or less (Sp2019) or before# 22 months to Grad (Su2019)# 26 months to Grad (Fa2019)#30 months to Grad (Sp2020)# 34 months to Grad (Su2020)# +36 months to Grad# Exit Program-No Degree# In Progress (as of Sp2022)% Grad Rate
MPAff201859Sp2020-19 months or less44 (75%)5 (8%)3 (5%)1 (2%)1 (2%)05 (8%)5 (8%)91%
MPAff-DUAL201826Sp2020-19 months or less14 (54%)009 (35%)02 (8%)01(3%)100%

 

MGPS 2018 EntryGrad Stats

ProgramEntry Year# EntryTime to Grad-Median# 19 months to Grad or less (Sp2019) or before# 22 months to Grad (Su2019)# 26 months to Grad (Fa2019)#30 months to Grad (Sp2020)# 34 months to Grad (Su2020)# +36 months to Grad# Exit Program-No Degree# In Progress (as of Sp2022)% Grad Rate
MGPS201828Sp2020-19 months or less23 (82%)14 (4%)2 (7%)1 (4%)0000100%
MGPS-DUAL20187Sp2021-30 months1 (14%)2 (28%)04 (58%)0000100%