Program Overview

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Program Overview

The MPA in Public & Nonprofit Management & Policy with an Advocacy and Political Action specialization is designed to equip students with the skills needed to lead campaigns and movements that drive meaningful social change. This program provides students with the background necessary to maximize their influence and drive meaningful change.

Unlock Your Potential with a Career in Advocacy & Political Action

An MPA-PNP advocacy specialization opens doors to diverse and impactful careers. With practical skills in organizing, campaign strategy, and policymaking, alumni are driving change at local, national, and global levels, leading advocacy efforts and shaping the future of public policy.

• Community or Labor Organizer
  • Electoral Campaign Staff
  • Legislative Aide
  • Lobbyist
  • Program or Policy Director
  • Foundation Program Officer

Skills You'll Gain With an Advocacy & Political Action Specialization

Through a combination of coursework and hands-on experience, students develop expertise in organizing, policy advocacy, and campaign strategy that will serve as the foundation for their career in public service. Graduates of the program hone the following skills:

• Organizing: Mobilize communities and coalitions to advocate for social change.
• Campaign Strategy: Plan and execute successful electoral and issue-based campaigns.
• Participatory Policymaking: Engage stakeholders in the decision-making process to ensure inclusive policy outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Involve diverse groups to ensure policies reflect the needs and perspectives of the community.
• Communications and Media: Leverage media platforms to shape public opinion and influence policy discussions.
• Data Visualization: Present complex data in clear and compelling ways to support advocacy campaigns.
• Legislative Process Navigation: Understand and navigate legislative systems to advocate for policy change.

What Our Graduates Say

Rachel Bhalla (MPA 2023), Government Affairs, Everytown for Gun Safety, notes that the Advocacy & Political Action Specialization gave her the insights and tools to be an effective government affairs professional.

Curriculum Overview

The 45-credit program includes a blend of foundational courses, specializations, electives, and a capstone project. This comprehensive curriculum provides students with the critical skills and knowledge needed for leadership in public and nonprofit management and policy.

Program Requirements

• Degree Core Requirements: Students must complete the following core courses:
  • CORE-GP.1011, Statistical Methods
  • CORE-GP.1018, Microeconomics
  • CORE-GP.1020, Management and Leadership
  • CORE-GP.1021, Financial Management
  • CORE-GP.1022, Introduction to Public Policy
• Specialization Requirements: Students complete the following specialization courses:
  • PADM-GP.2106, Community Organizing
  • PADM-GP.2407, Advocacy Lab
  • PADM-GP.2411, Policy Formation and Policy Analysis
• Capstone: The capstone program, which is a year-long consulting or research project, puts students out in the world to resolve a problem or conduct an analysis for a client organization. All students must complete the following courses in conjunction with their capstone experience.
  • CAP-GP.3401 & 3402 Capstone: Advanced Projects in Policy, Management, Finance, and Advocacy I & II
  • or
  • CAP-GP 3148 & 3149 Capstone: Advanced Research Projects in Quantitative Analysis I & II

Focus Areas

These are optional clusters of courses designed to guide elective choices. Choosing electives within specialized focus areas allows students to deepen their expertise and develop more advanced skills.

Tools and Skills

Develop the core elements of successful advocacy campaigns, including research, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making. These courses provide the essential frameworks needed to plan and execute effective advocacy efforts.

• PADM-GP.1801, Communication Skills for Public Service
• PADM-GP.2106, Community Organizing
• PADM-GP.2109, Legal Literacy: What Public Service Leaders Need to Know About the American Legal System
• PADM-GP.2113, Building Effective Teams - Advanced Strategies
• PADM-GP.2163, Labor Policy: The Future of Work
• PADM-GP.2171, Evaluating Programs and Policies
• PADM-GP.2184, Community Based Participatory Action Research
• PADM-GP.2186, Leadership and Social Transformation
• PADM-GP.2202, Politics of International Development
• PADM-GP.2407, Advocacy Lab
• PADM-GP.2411, Policy Formation and Policy Analysis
• PADM-GP.2413, Strategic Philanthropy
• PADM-GP.4112, Building Effective Teams
• PADM-GP.4116, Participatory Policymaking
• PADM-GP.4119, Data Visualization and Storytelling
• PADM-GP.4131, Fundamentals of Fundraising
• PADM-GP.4313, Capital, Power, and Systemic Change
• PADM-GP.4451, Elections in Action
• PADM-GP.4503, Introduction to Data Analytics for Public Policy, Administration, and Management

Policies and Issues

Gain specialized knowledge in key issue areas like criminal justice, human rights, or environmental policy. These courses prepare students to apply their expertise to advocacy campaigns and political action.

• PADM-GP.2129, Race, Identity, and Inclusion in Organizations
• PADM-GP.2213, Immigration Politics and Policy -- Past and Present
• PADM-GP.2416, Racial Inequality in America: What Do We Do Now?
• PADM-GP.2444, Gender & Sexuality in U.S. Policy Formation
• PADM-GP.2445, Poverty, Inequality, and Policy
• HPAM-GP.2836, Topics in Health Policy: Policy, Politics, and Power
• PADM-GP.4440, Education and Social Policy
• URPL-GP.4636, Housing Policy I
• URPL-GP.4638, Housing Policy II
• HPAM-GP.4849, Current Issues in Reproductive Healthcare Management and Policy

Why Choose NYU Wagner?

Your chosen MPA program sets the foundation for a successful career in public and nonprofit management and policy. NYU Wagner's interdisciplinary approach, expert faculty, and prime New York City location offer unparalleled learning, growth, and professional development opportunities.

Convenience & Flexibility

The program offers flexible scheduling for both full-time and part-time students, with start terms available in both the Fall and Spring. Full-time students who begin in the Fall can complete the program in as little as two years. Part-time students typically finish in three to four years.

Distinguished Faculty

Learn from premier scholars in a variety of disciplines, including economics, finance, management, political science, law, planning, and healthcare. These highly-accomplished industry leaders will prepare students to effectively address issues across sectors and policy arenas.

Real-World Experience

A year-long capstone project is the pinnacle of the graduate experience, offering an opportunity to apply skills and knowledge to real-world challenges. Collaborating with peers and expert faculty mentors, students take on pressing issues facing communities both locally and globally.

Tangible Career Outcomes

MPA graduates work in government agencies, nonprofits, international organizations, corporate social responsibility departments, and a multitude of other sectors. This includes organizations such as the American Red Cross, APCO Worldwide, Ernst & Young, Everytown for Gun Safety, NY Green Bank, United Nations, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Advocacy and Political Action Faculty

• Martha E. Stark, Clinical Professor of Public Service; Director of Management Specialization
• Erica Gabrielle Foldy, Associate Professor of Public and Nonprofit Management; Co-Director of Capstone Program; Director of Advocacy and Political Action Specialization
• Sarah Kaufman, Director, NYU Rudin Center for Transportation & Assistant Clinical Professor of Public Service

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step? Explore the application process, admissions criteria, and deadlines for the MPA-PNP Advocacy & Political Action Specialization.

Submit your online application, including two essays (with an optional video essay), your resume or curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation from academic or professional settings, transcripts from colleges or universities, and standardized test scores. You'll also need to submit the $85 application fee and review any requirements specific to international applicants.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Find out detailed information about the cost of attendance, and access resources to finance your education—including federal loan programs and merit-based fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition is calculated on a per-credit basis. Your tuition costs are customized based on the total number of credits you enroll in each term.

FALL 2024	Spring 2025	Summer 2025

Tuition per point/credit | $2,395 | $2,395 | $2,395

PER-SEMESTER TUITION COSTS

Credits | Tuition
---|---

6 credits | $14,370

9 credits | $21,555

12 credits | $28,740

Estimated Annual Living Expenses (Combined Fall/Spring)

| Expense type*

| Estimated cost

Housing | $23,588

Food | $6,450

Books | $1,510

Transportation | $2,342

Personal Expenses | $3,000

Student Basic Health Insurance** | $4,346

ESTIMATED TOTAL | $41,236

Federal Financial Aid and Student Loans

Most NYU Wagner students fund their studies through a variety of means—private or federal student loans, college work-study, or student employment. You can seek out supplementary funding by applying to external merit-based or need-based scholarship programs that award students pursuing a degree program in public service.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are scholarships available for the NYU Wagner MPA Advocacy program? Yes, NYU Wagner offers a number of merit-based scholarships. All part-time and full-time students are considered.
• What is the best degree for advocacy? The best degree for advocacy depends on your career goals. Degrees in public administration, law, and political science are common paths that can provide a strong foundation in policy and social justice.
• Can you make money being an advocate? Yes, careers in advocacy can be both impactful and financially rewarding. Roles such as lobbyists, political consultants, and program directors often come with competitive salaries in both nonprofit and governmental organizations.
• What does a career in advocacy look like? A career in advocacy involves shaping public policy, organizing campaigns, and driving social change. Graduates may work as community organizers, lobbyists, legislative aides, and program directors, among other positions.