The Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs is a highly ranked program that attracts outstanding students from across the United States and around the world to its highly respected graduate programs in public affairs and international public affairs and dual degree programs. Students are admitted in comparatively small numbers that encourage cooperation across cohorts and permit the La Follette School faculty to know, advise, and mentor students.
Learn more about student admissions >
The planning degree provides vital community development tools and strategies, and La Follette coursework arms me with the skillset to step back and analyze how those tools are achieving the intended outcomes.
Caroline McCormack, '14 double MPA and MS in urban and regional planning, housing policy associate, California Housing Partnership Corporation
Several La Follette graduates have started promising careers at GAO.
Danielle Giese, '01 MPA, Assistant Director, U.S. Government Accountability Office
The quantitative skills that La Follette alumni gain are in high demand these days, especially with the focus on evidence-based practices. Policymakers want to know the outcomes of their policies.
Ben Emmel, '15 MPA
At Wisconsin, I liked being able to take advantage of the small program on a big campus. At La Follette, people know who you are.
Stephanie Chase, ’12 dual MPA and law, associate attorney, Environmental Law & Policy Center
The professors are well respected and were always willing to give me advice. I am truly thankful to the entire La Follette faculty.
Ulrike Nischan, '10 MIPA, research analyst, International Food Policy Research Institute’s Development Strategy and Governance Division
The program's small size is especially helpful since we have many group projects: working together is easier since everyone knows each other.
Keo Lo, ’15 MPA
I know the skills and experiences I am gaining through La Follette will be invaluable because where I have been professionally, I am consistently asked to understand and interpret quantitative information and communicate implications to decision-makers.
Tyrel Zich, ’15 MPA
My objective at La Follette has been to advance my quantitative and statistical skill sets, which will offer me the greatest flexibility and competitive advantage over peers in the job market.
Alex Straka, ’15 MIPA
I chose the La Follette School because it offers what I am looking for: a complete curriculum incorporating courses in economics, policy analysis and governance.
Diana Rosales Mitte, ’15 MIPA
The program's rigor and content ensures that graduating students are prepared for their first job or their next job. The links that La Follette students make with practitioners provide context and real-world experience.
Ryan Baumtrog, ’08 MPA, financial planning director, Minnesota Management and Budget
I hope to be better able to measure and understand democratic changes in the former Soviet Union and other young and transitioning democracies.
Christopher Russell, ’16 dual Law and MIPA candidate
I pursued a public affairs degree so that I can analyze the educational policy that impacts at-risk youth and promote programs that will expand student access to academic resources.
Selina Eadie, ’13 MPA, policy analyst, Education Analytics
I’m constantly grateful that the La Follette School gave me some experience with this work before I was thrown into the fire.
Emma (Hynes) Hudson, ’10 dual-degree MPA and MPH, legislative liaison with Alliance Colorado
