Master of Social Policy
Grounded in social work values, the Master of Social Policy is a one-year graduate degree that provides students with the skills to be impactful in the U.S. policy ecosystem.
Find Your Place in Policy
Policy is never enacted in a vacuum. Instead, it is crafted based on the work of diverse structural organizations that are all focused on a common goal. The policy ecosystem includes professionals who specialize in research, advocacy, regulation, implementation, litigation, strategy, negotiation, elections—find where your skills, knowledge, and passion fit.
Overview
Master of Social Policy
Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to help you develop the skills necessary to impact policy within the United States system. MSP coursework consists of 28 classroom credits and a three-credit internship, designed to be completed in three semesters—fall, spring, and the internship in the summer. The program brings together advocates from a variety of backgrounds, making classroom learning vibrant and meaningful. Join us to learn how to advance equity through policy, making a true difference.
Practicum
The best way to practice your skills is through real-world experience. You will have the chance to complete a full-time (360 hour, 3-credit) internship with a variety of leading non-profit organizations, government agencies, policy think tanks and legislative offices. The MSP internship is typically completed during the summer semester, May through August.
Student Support
As a student-centered institution, our entire faculty and staff are committed to providing our student scholars with the personalized attention and tailored solutions to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
Our holistic advising system ensures you have faculty and administrative guidance throughout your studies. In addition, our Career Engagement staff prepares you to navigate the job market successfully with one-on-one coaching, specialized workshops, and networking events.
MSP students can also take advantage of policy-focused programming including lunch seminars, policy-related speakers, as well as social events to build community within the MSP cohort.
“Social change only happens if we all work together. We need professionals with diverse ideas, skills, and interests to be able to craft solutions to policy problems. The Master of Social Policy helps you find your place in that policy ecosystem, allowing you to play a part in creating the change you wish to see.“
Anna Goldfarb Shabsin, JD MSW
Assistant Dean of Social Policy
“At the Brown School, I really appreciated being around people who understand making policy change is hard work … People who value being strategic and advocating for a change that is achievable and makes sense.”
– Melanie Goldring, MSW/MSP ’19
Dream Project Fellow, Dominican Republic
Dream Project Fellow, Dominican Republic
