University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy: An Overview

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan stands as a leading institution for public policy education, built on core values of public service, evidence-based policy, and inclusion. Its commitment to a rigorous, social science-based curriculum cultivates a learning environment that encourages critical engagement with real-world policy challenges, interwoven with multidisciplinary perspectives.

Historical Context and Evolution

The Ford School of Public Policy has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1914, when it was established to train public administration experts. Over the years, the program evolved, undergoing changes in the 1930s and 1940s. In 1936, it transitioned into the Institute of Public and Social Administration, later becoming the Institute of Public Administration in 1946. The institute experienced significant growth, leading to its establishment as a school within the University in 1995. Initially housed in Lorch Hall, the School of Public Policy was renamed in 1999 in honor of former President Gerald R. Ford. A pivotal moment arrived in 2006 with the construction of Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, providing the Ford School with a dedicated space on campus.

Academic Programs

The Ford School offers a variety of academic programs, including doctoral, master's, and undergraduate degrees. The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program stands out as the largest. All Ford School master's students can work with certified executive leadership coaches.

Doctoral Programs

The Ford School's joint PhD programs combine public policy with disciplines like economics, political science, or sociology. These programs offer rigorous coursework in theory and methods, generous funding, extensive research training, and interdisciplinary policy analysis.

Key features of the doctoral program include:

Generous Support: All PhD students receive five years of funding, contingent on satisfactory performance. The funding covers tuition, health insurance, and a stipend, potentially in the form of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.
Disciplinary Orientation: Students spend most of their first two years in a department, taking the same sequence of theory and methods courses as departmental students. They also have a departmental faculty advisor to help them become integrated into the department and receive a thorough grounding in the discipline's theory and methods.
Empirical Methods: The program expects students to develop analytical skills, including statistics, economic analysis, benefit-cost analysis, evaluation methods, and qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection and analysis.
Research Training Opportunities: Active engagement in research is a key component of the program. All students have the opportunity to spend at least a year as a research assistant to a faculty member and attend a biweekly research seminar during their first and second years. Faculty advisors provide guidance for the independent research paper that is part of the third year.
Interdisciplinary Policy Analysis: A key goal of the program is to facilitate multidisciplinary training and research through coursework that exposes students to different perspectives and approaches.

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Master's Programs

The Ford School offers policy concentrations for its Master of Public Policy students, allowing them to specialize in areas of interest. The Ford School has developed dual degrees with many professional programs, which enables students to complete work on two degrees simultaneously.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate studies at the Ford School are based in social science disciplines such as sociology, economics, and political science, layered with analysis of and engagement with real-world public challenges. Coursework emphasizes teamwork, writing, analysis, and class participation. Ford School undergraduate students become full members of our close-knit community and work in small groups with some of the University of Michigan's top faculty members.

The Ford School offers both a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and a Minor in Public Policy.

Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy: Provides U-M students with knowledge and skills to analyze policy problems, understand the stakes, and create viable solutions. It requires 30 Public Policy credits completed in residence, STATS 250 or SOC 210: Introduction to Statistics (4 credits); Coursework in student-declared focus area (12 credits), Coursework in Public Policy or approved non-Public Policy electives (4 credits, or 3 credits for students admitted for Fall 2025 and beyond). The total required credits to complete Ford curriculum are 46 (16 credits for students admitted prior to Fall 2025 and 15 credits for students admitted for Fall 2025 and beyond) and Minimum credits required to reach degree completion is 120 (includes total required credits to complete Ford curriculum)Determined by a student’s enrollment
Minor in Public Policy: Allows students to layer a U-M degree-engineering, sociology, business, or organizational studies, for example-with perspectives from the lens of public policy. It requires 12 Public Policy credits completed in residence, Additional coursework (may be completed outside Ford)

Certificate Programs

The Science and Technology in Public Policy (STPP) graduate certificate at the Ford School provides U-M master's and doctoral students from any field with 12 credit hours of coursework.

Experiential Learning

The Ford School offers extensive opportunities for practical, hands-on experience through internships, consultancy projects, applied policy labs, and research assistantships. All Ford School master's students can work with certified executive leadership coaches. Programs like the Diplomacy Lab and the International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise provide platform experiences, often involving collaboration with high-profile organizations like the State Department, American Academy of Diplomacy, and other esteemed institutions. Students also study and travel during the academic year.

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Distinctive Program Features

The Ford School is one of the only schools to host the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute (JSI) since its inception in 1981. Formerly known as the Sloan or Woodrow Wilson fellowship, the program is an academic graduate-level preparation program for rising seniors committed to public service careers. Its goal is to address the lack of diversity in professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions, and international organizations. The Ford School’s JSI curriculum includes statistics, microeconomics, current policy issues, and writing instruction. Students receive funding for housing, travel expenses, meals, books, and course supplies.

Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Approach

The Ford School stands out for its interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to public policy education. Leveraging the University of Michigan's vast resources, it offers a holistic educational experience that encompasses diverse policy domains such as law, health, and economics.

Preparing for a Career in Public Service

Preparation for careers in public service at the Ford School involves a multi-faceted approach combining academic rigor, practical skill-building, and leadership training. Courses emphasize competencies in policy analysis, program evaluation, and data-driven decision-making. Our Career Services offer tailored support including personalized counseling, networking events, and workshops on resume building and interview techniques. Our vast alumni network, active globally, provides mentorship and guidance, ensuring that our graduates are not only knowledgeable but also well-connected. Understanding career outcomes can help you evaluate how graduate study supports long-term professional goals. See how graduates of Michigan Public Policy pursue careers across government, nonprofits, research organizations, and the private sector.

Location and Environment

The school's location in Ann Arbor, consistently ranked as a top place to live, offers a vibrant, enriching environment conducive to both personal and professional growth.

Engagement and Networking

Prospective students should aim to capitalize on the myriad opportunities available at the Ford School. Engage deeply with our multidisciplinary courses, actively participate in experiential learning, and connect with our esteemed faculty, who are leaders in their fields. Network with peers, alumni, and professionals to build a robust foundation for your career.

Community and Commitment

The Ford School prides itself on its strong sense of community and commitment to public service. It continually strives to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policymaking.

Affiliations and Memberships

The school is a full member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), a group of public administration, public policy, and international studies schools.

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