Make a Difference Where You Are
Graduate Study at the Maxwell School
ranked for public affairs (U.S. News & World Report)
graduate degrees and certificate programs
alumni network spanning 160 countries
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University—the #1-ranked school of public affairs—prepares students to lead across government, nonprofit, international and private-sector careers.
From top-ranked professional master's programs in public administration, international affairs and public health to master's and doctoral degrees across the social sciences, Maxwell offers a range of paths for both practitioner-focused and research-focused students.
Graduates benefit from accelerated program options, an affordable cost of living relative to peer cities, and dedicated career preparation and counseling. Across every discipline, Maxwell graduate students gain the knowledge, skills and experience to make a lasting impact in their communities and around the world.
Graduate Degree Programs
| Program | Type |
|---|---|
Program Anthropology | Type |
Program Economics | Type |
Program Economics and International Relations | Type |
Program Geography | Type |
Program History | Type |
Program International Relations | Type |
Program International Relations - Executive, in D.C. | Type |
Program International Relations - Executive, in Syracuse | Type |
Program International Relations/Finance | Type |
Program International Relations/Public Administration | Type |
Policy Analytics, Online | Type |
Program Political Science | Type |
Program Public Administration | Type |
Program Public Administration - Executive, in Syracuse | Type |
Program Public Administration - Executive, Online | Type |
Program Public Diplomacy and Global Communications | Type |
Program Public Health | Type |
Program Public Health/Business | Type |
Program Social Science | Type |
Program Sociology | Type |
Program
Sustainable Organizations and Policy |
Online Programs
Since 2017, the Maxwell School has offered select graduate programs online, enabling students to immediately apply what they're learning to their professional roles in real time. Maxwell's approach to online teaching combines flexible, self-paced coursework with weekly live instruction—a mixed model designed to accommodate working professionals without compromising rigor.
Asynchronous coursework features high-quality videos, interactive content and applied case studies, while each course also includes a live weekly class hosted via Zoom, where students collaborate with faculty and classmates in real time. The result is a flexible, accelerated path to a top-ranked degree that lets students advance their careers while building a genuine professional network—from across the country and around the world.
Effecting Change in Every Sector and Community
Maxwell prepares its students with the vital elements of success: knowledge, skills, experience and contacts.
Faculty and staff work closely with domestic and international employers, and our network of more than 43,000 alumni in 160 countries opens doors to career exploration, internships and fellowships worldwide.
Maxwell's interdisciplinary, practitioner-focused approach prepares graduates to address pressing challenges as policy advisers, research economists, public health coordinators, budget officers, clinical research coordinators and university professors
Maxwell graduates are making an impact across every sector and community, including:
Government and Public Policy
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Government Accountability Office
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Military (all branches)
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- New York City Comptroller
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- City of Syracuse
- California Department of Public Health
International Organizations
- United Nations
- World Bank
- World Wildlife Fund
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Healthcare and Public Health
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Connecticut Department of Public Health
- Central Maine Medical Center
- Boston Children's Hospital
- American Dental Association
Education and Research
- American University
- Central Washington University
- Howard University
- Marine Corps University
- Mokwon University
- U.S. Air Force University
- University of Auckland
- University of Michigan
- University of North Carolina
Business and Technology
- Amazon Web Services
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Deloitte Consulting
- Eli Lilly
- Google India
- Grant Thornton
- Revenue Solutions, Inc.
- S&P Global
Finance and Economics
- Export-Import Bank of the United States
- Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
- Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
- International Monetary Fund
Community and Nonprofit Organizations
- Atlantic Council
- Center for Justice Innovation
- Central New York Community Foundation
- Hawaii Community Foundation
- IDMAJ Foundation for Development
- National Association of Higher Education Systems
- YWCA
Study Abroad and Study Away
Maxwell's global reach extends from Washington, D.C., to more than 60 locations worldwide. In the nation's capital, students engage with pressing policy issues through courses, internships and co-curricular opportunities alongside experienced faculty and professionals.
Maxwell-in-Washington also serves as a hub for alumni engagement, offering expert-led lectures, mentoring and a strong network committed to public service.
Beyond D.C., Maxwell students can choose from semester programs in Florence, London, Madrid, Santiago and Strasbourg, as well as world partner, summer and short-term programs in locations around the world.
Student Groups, Activities and Recreation
With over 300 student organizations, Maxwell graduate students have plenty of opportunities to explore interests, pursue passions, and get involved with the Syracuse University community. Students are encouraged to grow personally and physically through the clubs, classes and facilities that suit them best.