Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Public & Nonprofit Management & Policy with a specialization in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment (SI3) is designed to prepare students to lead and innovate for lasting social impact. By mastering the language and tools of both business and policy, students gain the skills to innovate in products, services, delivery systems, enterprises, and investment strategies, all aimed at addressing significant domestic and global challenges.

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.2132, Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • PADM-GP.2145, Design Thinking: A Creative Approach to Problem Solving and Creating Impact
  • PADM-GP.2311, Impact Investing
• 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.3301 & 3302 Capstone: Advanced Lab in Social Innovation 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. To gain in-depth knowledge in a focus area, it is recommended to complete nine credits. Alternatively, students can opt for a broader approach by choosing electives across different focus areas.

• Social Entrepreneurship: The pursuit of social impact and innovation through entrepreneurship and formation of enterprises.
  • PADM-GP.2106, Community Organizing
  • PADM-GP.2132, Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • PADM-GP.2173, Operations Management
  • PADM-GP.2312, Earnings and Impact: Managing the Modern Social Enterprise
  • PADM-GP.2407, Advocacy Lab
• Social Finance: The use of tools of finance to address societal challenges, focusing on sustainability, investing, and managing businesses with multiple social goals.
  • PADM-GP.2127, Corporate Social Responsibility: Social Finance Partnerships and Models
  • PADM-GP.2142, Financial Management II
  • PADM-GP.2147, Corporate Finance and Public Policy
  • PADM-GP.2149, Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • PADM-GP.2311, Impact Investing
  • URPL-GP.2635, Community Equity and Wealth Building
  • PADM-GP.4313, Capital, Power, and Systemic Change
  • PADM-GP.4316, NYU Impact Investment Fund I
  • PADM-GP.4317, NYU Impact Investment Fund II
  • PADM-GP.4320, Environmental, Social, Governance Investing
• Social Innovation, Design, and Technology: The process of ideation and the use of data and technological tools to achieve social innovation.
  • PADM-GP.2145, Design Thinking: A Creative Approach to Problem Solving and Creating Impact
  • HPAM-GP.2828, Innovation and HealthTech Consulting
  • PADM-GP.4311, Lean Approaches to Social Innovation
  • PADM-GP.4322, Data and AI Strategies for Social Impact Organizations
  • PADM-GP.4501, Designing Data Collection for Program Evaluation, Policy, and Management
  • PADM-GP.4504, Introduction to Database Design, Management, and Security

Experiential Learning Opportunities

In the SI3 specialization, students can engage in hands-on learning through courses, such as the NYU Impact Investment Fund (NIIF). NIIF is a unique interdisciplinary, year-long experiential learning course that exposes students to the work of an early-stage impact investor, from crafting an investment thesis to sourcing companies, performing due diligence, and ultimately executing an investment.

Why Choose NYU Wagner?

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

Students learn from premier scholars in a variety of disciplines, including economics, finance, management, political science, law, planning, and healthcare. These highly-accomplished industry leaders 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. That 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.

Social Impact Faculty

• Andrea Armeni, Associate Clinical Professor of Social Finance and Public Service; Director of Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment Specialization
• Jonathan J. Morduch, Professor of Public Policy and Economics, Executive Director of the Financial Access Initiative
• John Gershman, Clinical Professor of Public Service, Director of International Specialization, Co-Director of Capstone Program

How to Apply

To apply, submit an online application, including two essays (with an optional video essay), a resume or curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation from academic or professional settings, transcripts from colleges or universities, and standardized test scores. An $85 application fee is also required. Review any requirements specific to international applicants.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition is calculated on a per-credit basis. The estimated annual living expenses for students include housing, food, books, transportation, personal expenses, and student basic health insurance.

Tuition per Credit

• $2,395 per credit for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025

Per-Semester Tuition Costs

• 6 credits: $14,370
• 9 credits: $21,555
• 12 credits: $28,740

Estimated Annual Living Expenses

• 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. Federal student loan programs offer low-interest student loan options for US Citizens and Permanent Residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What career opportunities are available with a specialization in social impact, innovation, and investment?
  • Graduates are prepared for careers as social entrepreneurs, impact investors, corporate social responsibility managers, and more.
• How does the social impact, innovation, and investment specialization differ from other MPA specializations?
  • NYU Wagner's social impact, innovation, and investment specialization focuses on tools that leverage the intersection of public, private, and governmental activity to drive social impact.
• What skills will I gain in the social impact, innovation, and investment specialization?
  • Students develop key skills in social entrepreneurship, impact investing, program and policy evaluation, strategic management, investment selection, and community development.