MIA/MPA Concentrations

Climate, Energy, and Environment

Climate, Energy, and Environment

Gain hands-on skills in energy policy and environmental impact. Advance meaningful climate action today to secure a more sustainable tomorrow.

Explore the intersection of energy policy, climate change, and environmental impact with modular core classes and transformative electives in our Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE) concentration. In each course, you’ll dive into how governments, businesses, and civil society can elevate meaningful change, while examining the role of science, technology, policy, and finance in shaping the future of our planet. Through engaging coursework, you’ll gain career-ready skills to address critical global challenges, positioning you to lead in sectors that demand expertise in climate action, sustainable energy, and environmental stewardship. Whether you're passionate about policy, technology, or finance, this concentration prepares you to make a lasting impact.

Data Science for Policy

Harness the power of data science. Shape effective, scalable solutions for critical policy challenges. 

Our Data Science for Policy (DSP) concentration will redefine the way you think about and tackle global challenges. With intensive courses in the latest computational techniques, data analytics, econometrics, and quantitative analysis, you’ll master the tools to turn complex data into actionable insights, driving real-world policy and management solutions. This concentration goes beyond the basics, offering you advanced expertise to address critical issues in public policy, economic development, and program evaluation. With powerful data skills, you’ll be equipped to propel your career in sectors where data-driven decisions shape the future.

Development and Governance

Unlock essential skills in program management, financial inclusion, and humanitarian policy. Lead powerful global change.

Through our Development and Governance (DG) concentration, you’ll gain skills in program planning, evaluation, and management, with a focus on financial inclusion, social enterprise, sustainable development, and post-conflict governance.. Each course examines domestic and international policy concerns through the lens of gender and development, education and health policy, and sustainable development, so you’ll build an interdisciplinary perspective on the defining challenges of our time. With clear learning objectives that turn theory into practice, you’ll be prepared to navigate complex international issues and advance meaningful global innovation.

Human Rights, Gender, and Equity

Tackle the most critical human rights challenges of our time. Acquire the skills to craft and enforce policies that ensure accountability and foster equity.

Human rights are an essential part of the most significant international challenges of our time—health and disability, education and literacy, food security, cultural preservation, and more. In the Human Rights, Gender, and Equity (HRGE) concentration, you’ll learn to formulate and implement policies that promote human rights and gender equality, addressing issues like discrimination, refugee rights, and global conflict.. In the process, you’ll be prepared for responsible leadership and ethical careers addressing critical human rights challenges and promoting equity on a global scale.

International Finance and International Economic Policy

Explore policy impacts across global markets. Gain the insights necessary to lead financial growth strategies and chart economic innovation.

Our International Finance and International Economic Polic (IFEP) concentration equips you with the tools to analyze and interpret global economic events. You'll blend insights from economics, finance, and statistics to understand how markets and policies interact across diverse development stages. With this solid foundation of knowledge, you’ll be equipped to craft effective policy solutions that advance financial resilience and economic innovation both domestically and abroad. You'll graduate ready to enhance international trade and promote global financial inclusion in ways that increase market stability and economic equity around the world.

International Security and Diplomacy

Develop expertise in conflict management, defense policy, diplomatic strategies, and UN-led conflict resolution. Help secure a more peaceable world.

In the International Security and Diplomacy (ISD) concentration, you’ll examine global issues through frameworks of conflict management, defense policy, and military strategy. Our modular and elective courses will bridge classroom theory with practical application so you can analyze security issues, understand political and military dynamics, navigate diplomatic negotiations, leverage the UN peacekeeping process, and help shape and develop effective policies. You’ll graduate prepared to address complex international conflicts and meaningfully contribute to global peace and international security.

Technology Policy and Innovation

Technology Policy and Innovation (TPI) Concentration equips students with knowledge and skills that prepare them for private and public sector careers in technology, tech policy, innovation, and social impact.

The Technology Policy and Innovation (TPI) Concentration offers rigorous and cutting-edge course offerings on a range of topics, including the essentials of emerging tech, ethical tech design, global media, AI for policymakers, solutions to online mis/disinformation, tech governance, and practical policy labs. Our innovation offerings teach starting and growing social enterprises to solve global problems, identify funding sources, invest in and scale the ventures, and ensure a double bottom line. We also cover tools and frameworks for evaluating social and societal impact and assessing relevant laws, norms, and regulations for their efficiency in facilitating transparency, accountability, and respect for digital rights. 

The Concentration prepares students who plan to work in the private sector, government, nonprofits, international organizations, think tanks, or start their own NGOs or social enterprises. We prepare students to better understand the basics of emerging technologies and their effects, tech governance, and how innovative practices and new ways of thinking address entrenched global social problems.

Urban and Social Policy

Think critically and analytically about policy challenges specific to urban hubs, from the heart of NYC. Go on to create equitable and sustainable urban environments in communities worldwide. 

With courses that leverage New York City's complex social and public policy landscape, you'll gain unique insights into urban challenges with both local and global relevance. Customize your studies with an interdisciplinary approach to advanced coursework in urban environments and social policy that blends content knowledge with critical thinking and analytical skills. By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to revitalize vibrant communities and introduce needed reform that is responsive to the needs of all citizens.