Program Overview

Introduction to the DC Concentration (MPAff/MGPS)

The DC Concentration is an immersive 15-month course of study and work focused on domestic and international federal policymaking. It is offered through the LBJ Washington Center and gives master's students the opportunity to work in the nation's capital while earning a public policy graduate degree.

Program Structure

The DC Concentration operates as an integrated track within the LBJ School's traditional MPAff and MGPS degree programs. After a year of intensive policy coursework in Austin, students continue their studies at night in Washington, DC, while embarking on a six-month Policy Apprenticeship with a public, private, nonprofit, or nongovernmental organization.

Program Goals

The DC Concentration aims to train future leaders for careers in the domestic or international policy arenas in Washington, DC. It is designed to transition LBJ DC Fellows into the DC policy workforce a full semester earlier than traditional public policy programs.

Course of Study

LBJ DC Fellows spend their first two semesters in Austin following a slightly customized version of the traditional first-year MPAff or MGPS curriculum. Students then relocate to Washington, DC, in June to pursue their Policy Apprenticeships for 32 hours per week during the summer and fall semesters of their second year. Simultaneous with their Policy Apprenticeships, students take core academic courses at the LBJ Washington Center, focusing on the essentials of policymaking at the federal level.

Program Outcomes

The DC Concentration prepares graduates to work in the complex federal policy environment, including how to:

• contribute from day one to organization-critical projects
• translate research and ideas into effective policy
• formulate and communicate policy positions in high-pressure, media-driven environments
• develop effective strategies and skills to engage with public policy professionals at the highest levels of federal policymaking

Tuition and Fees

Texas Resident (in-state)

• Fall/Spring semesters in Austin (25 hours) tuition: $12,130
• Summer in DC (10 hours) tuition: $4,558
• Summer in DC Departmental Tuition: $8,750
• Fall semester in DC (9 hours) tuition: $4,927
• Fall semester in DC Departmental Tuition: $8,750
• Total program tuition and fee: $39,115

Non-resident (out-of-state)

• Fall/Spring semesters in Austin (25 hours): $23,407
• Summer in DC (10 hours) tuition: $8,605
• Summer in DC Departmental Tuition: $8,750
• Fall semester in DC (9 hours) tuition: $9,379
• Fall in DC Departmental Tuition: $8,750
• Total program tuition and fee: $58,891

Program Benefits

The DC Concentration provides students with professional networking opportunities, as well as policy, social, and other events to meet with senior federal policymakers in diverse settings. Upon successfully completing their DC academic and Policy Apprenticeship commitments, LBJ DC Fellows graduate in December of their second year.