Master of Public Administration - Social Policy (Aging, Education, Health, Welfare)

Social Policy is the overarching program that includes aging, education, health and social welfare policy. Each area represents a major and enduring aspect of public policy concern, in which the need for leadership in public management and policy analysis is critical and can be expected to grow.

The Social Policy area of study examines the roles and responsibilities of the public sector in designing, managing, and evaluating human resource programs for at-risk populations in the areas of health, education, and welfare. It is concerned with issues related to distributional equity and equality of opportunity and access, particularly for those least able to help themselves in a market societythe elderly, children, the disabled, the sick and the unemployed. Social policy involves elements of policy analysis, policy design, program evaluation, public management, and program implementation.

Aging policy involves social, economic and health problems of the aged, including income security, access to health care, and public policy needs of an aging society. Social welfare policy particularly involves evaluation and alleviation of poverty, material deprivation and discrimination in American society. Education Policy involves the finance and delivery of education services in the American education system (particularly elementary and secondary education), quality of education, equity of resources, and various other issues such as education finance alternatives and school choice.

Personal statement
R'sum (preferred) or CV
The GRE: no longer required for application to any PAIA master's degree program
Public Administration: GRE recommended*
International Relations and Public Diplomacy & Global Communications: GRE optional**
English Proficiency Exam (international students only): TOEFL /, IELTS , or Duolingo scores
Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application, but will be necessary to enroll into the program
Letters of recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation from a current or previous faculty member and/or professional supervisor
*Applicants to the M.P.A. program must demonstrate adequate quantitative, analytic and writing aptitude to be admitted. These requirements can be evidenced by successful completion of coursework in relevant content areas and/or by adequate performance on the GRE or GMAT exams.

**The GRE may demonstrate an applicant's quantitative, analytic or writing ability and, though not required, will be considered for those applicants who choose to submit them.

All test scores must be sent to Syracuse University from the testing service.

Admitted students over the past three years have had median GPAs of 3.5. Past GRE scores of successful candidates who chose to submit them averaged: 158 Verbal, 156 Quantitative and 4.5 Analytical Writing. The median TOEFL scores of those applicants admitted over the past three years have been above 105. Minimum scores for English Language proficiency are 100 for the TOEFL and 7.0 for the IELTS.