University of Washington - Evans School of Public Policy and Governance

The academic programs at the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy & Governance are ranked among top public policy and management programs in the nation. Whether your goal is to earn a master’s degree, pursue your Ph.D., or hone your skills through a certificate or continuing education program, our academic programs feature world-renowned faculty teaching at the intersection of theory and practice. Our curriculum and culture are defined by a tradition of rigorous study, innovative research, and, most importantly, a commitment to public service. We educate future public service leaders and generate the knowledge and expertise that society’s most challenging public issues demand.

The right graduate degree can be transformative. It can turn your desire to do good in the world into a career path grounded in making a real, life-changing impact.

MPA: Whether you want to transition to a more mission-driven career, or you are ready to advance your career within the public and nonprofit sectors, the Evans School MPA program will uniquely equip you to improve public policy and lead change in public sector organizations. The Evans School MPA program will equip you with a foundation of knowledge and skills to ensure agility throughout your career plus ample opportunities to dive deeper into one of our areas of expertise.

EMPA: The Evans School's equity-centered, 18-month EMPA program is rigorous, yet practical, allowing you to apply coursework directly to the organizational challenges you’re facing. The “E” in EMPA technically stands for “Executive,” because that’s the degree graduates will earn. At the Evans School, it also stands for “Equity.” To us, equity means discovering and daylighting disparities, taking anti-racist action, and dismantling systems of oppression. Whether students are learning about leading self, leading others, or leading through change, in this program, it is through an equity lens.

Ph.D.: The Evans School Ph.D. program is a rigorous and supportive educational experience for those interested in pursuing applied research careers in academic, government, and nonprofit organizations. We train sophisticated analysts and scholars with a deep understanding of the institutional, historical, normative, and economic factors shaping policy design, implementation, and evaluation.

Certificates: Evans School offers graduate certificates for working professionals as well as for current UW graduate students.