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Master of Arts
in
Public Policy and International Affairs
Fall Application Due Date: August 1
Spring Application Due Date: December 15
 Housed in the Political Science Department, the Master of Arts in Public Policy and International Affairs provides the foundation for understanding the ways in which contemporary public policy crosses and supersedes national boundaries in an increasingly integrated global environment of trade, information and technology, threats to national security and the global ecosystem.
The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to train effective innovators and problem solvers by integrating the practical and theoretical, domestic and international dimensions of policy-making and management. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings--in government and non-profit agencies, international NGOs, education, business, law and social services--or to pursue further graduate studies.
After taking a core curriculum designed to provide students with an introduction to the field of public policymaking in an era of globalization as well as to provide them with the qualitative and quantitative tools needed for work in a professional policy environment, students may concentrate their electives, if desired, in one of two tracks: 1) Public Policy and Administration, providing courses that prepare students to work in domestic public or non-profit service and management; and 2) Public Policy and International Affairs for those who want to work in international settings in government, the non-governmental sector, or business. Opportunities are available through the program for internships in a variety of public, non-profit, international and corporate settings, as well as short and medium-term intensive study abroad.
Small classes held in the evenings provide students with a close working relationship with outstanding teacher/scholars, including recipients of the prestigious Fulbright grants for foreign research as well as winners of state and national awards for teaching. The faculty have taught and lectured abroad, organized international conferences, worked in political campaigns, and in the fields of higher education administration, international development, non-profit organizational development, community organization, evaluation research, public policy development, and comparative and international law. They maintain scholarly affiliations with professional research and policy institutes/networks, including the Council on Foreign Relations, Columbia University, New York University, Cambridge University, the University of Paris, University of Uruguay, Humboldt University (Germany), as well as serving on the editorial boards of academic journals. This enables them to bring the fruits of cutting-edge research, as well as networks for future employment opportunities, to their students.
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What Our Students Say
 "I found the Public Policy and International Affairs Master's Program to be a transformative experience. PPIA is a unique and innovative program because it engages and fuses two fundamental research fields that traditionally are separated. The classes are small which allows students to contribute their personal experiences as it relates to the subject resulting in a richer and diverse educational environment. The faculty encourages independent thinking and supports the student's research interests rather than imposing their own agenda. PPIA sponsors numerous conferences and events that further enrich the academic environment. I am truly indebted to PPIA and unequivocally recommend this program."
-- Mark Major, '06 graduate
Public Policy and International Affairs
Adjunct lecturer, William Paterson Univ.
Career Focus: Media/Communications
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Thirty-six (36) credits are required for the M.A. degree. They include 21 in a set of five required core courses that provide students with an overview of the field of public policy, the international political economy that is affecting policymaking at all levels, rigorous training in the qualitative and quantitative research methods needed to develop, implement and evaluate public policy, and either a six-credit thesis or internship. Fifteen credits (5 courses) are taken in electives -- drawn from either of two concentrations: Public Policy and Administration or Public Policy and International Affairs. Two of the elective credits can be taken outside the Political Science Department from a list of courses relevant to a variety of professional goals. Full-time students can expect to complete the program in about two years.
36 credits
(All courses are three credits unless otherwise specified. Courses without
numbers are currently in process of being revised or added.)
Required Courses - 21 credits
- POL 501 Public Policy in an Age of Globalization
- POL 624 Introduction to Research Design
- POL 625 Tools of Policy Analysis
- POL 632 International Political Economy
- POL 503 Comparative Public Policy
- POL 702 Thesis Writing I
- POL 703 Thesis Writing II
OR
- POL 650 Internship (6 credits)
Electives - 15 credits
Track I Public Policy and Administration
- POL 599 Selected Topics
- POL ___ American Political Institutions
- POL 602 Critical Theory and Public Policy: Capitalism,
Democracy, Globalization
- POL 604 The Gendered State and Public Policy
- POL 605 Labor, Labor Markets and the Welfare State
- POL 606 Ethnic Conflict, Nationalism & the Future of the
Nation- State
- POL 613 Women, Sexual Violence and Public Policy
- POL 620 Political Socialization, Communication & Public Policy
- POL 621 American Welfare Policy in Global Perspective
- POL 622 Intermestic Policy in the Americas: Licit & Illicit Flows: Immigration, Drugs, & Money
- POL 623 Environmental Politics and Policy
- POL 626 Theory & Practice: Science, Politics & Globalization
- POL ___ Public Budgeting & Finance
- POL ___ Human Resource Management
- POL ___ Policy Evaluation
- POL ___ Organizational Theory
- POL ___ Law and Public Policy
- POL ___ Non-profit, Non-Government Management
- POL ___ Religion, Politics and Policy
- POL 700 Independent Study
Track II Public Policy and International Affairs
- POL 599 Selected Topics
- POL 602 Critical Theory and Public Policy
- POL 605 Labor, Labor Markets and the Welfare State
- POL 606 Ethnic Conflict, Nationalism & the Future of the Nation-State
- POL 613 Women, Sexual Violence and Public Policy
- POL 619 Globalization and International Trade: The View from the Western Hemisphere
- POL 622 Intermestic Policy in the Americas: Licit & Illicit Flows: Drugs, Money & Immigration
- POL 626 Theory & Practice: Science, Politics and Globalization
- POL ___ International Development Policy
- POL ___ Non-profit, NGO Management & Development
- POL ___ Religion, Politics and Policy
- POL 623 Environmental Politics and Policy
- POL ___ Development Administration
- POL ___ International Institutions
- POL 633 U.S. Security Policy in the 21st Century
- POL 642 Democracy and International Human Rights
- POL 641 International Law and Public Policy
- POL 650 Internship (6 credits)
- POL 700 Independent Study
Up to two electives may be taken outside the department. Suggested non-departmental electives:
Track I Electives
- ECON 609 Economic Analysis
- COMS 601 Telecommunications Systems
- COMS 605 Language and Communication
- COMS 609 Leadership Processes and Group Conferencing
- COMS 611 Intercultural Communication
- MBA 616 Organizational Behavior & Communication
- MBA 640 Business, Government and Society
- NURS 570 Health Legislation & Health Policy
- SOC 510 Sociology of Cities
- SOC 521 Contemporary Issues in the Workplace
- SOC 661 Sociology of Complex Organizations
- SOC 566 Conflict & Conflict Management
- SOC 604 Social Problems
- SOC 613 Population
- SOC 614 Modern Industrial Societies
Track II Electives
- AACS 506 Nation Building & Modernization in Africa
- AACS 606 Peoples & Cultures of Africa
- AACS 618 Third World Social & Political Thought
- COMS 611 Intercultural Communication
- COMS 621 Global Communication
- ECON 609 Economic Analysis
- HIST 560 Twentieth Century U.S. Foreign Relations
- HIST 565 Nuclear America
- HIST 633 Modern Britain
- HIST 634 Modern France
- HIST 650 Seminar on the Contemporary Middle East
- HIST 660 Seminar in Asian History & Culture
Applications must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions, William Paterson University, Raubinger Hall, Room 139, 300 Pompton Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470. Contact them for information about application forms, graduate assistantship applications and the application process at: http://ww2.wpunj.edu/graduate or Ms. Tinu Adeniran at (973) 720-2764. There are two ways in which application may be made to the program.
Application for matriculation into the program (intention to pursue a degree) requires the following supporting documentation:
- Proof of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (official undergraduate transcript).
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (out of 4.0).
- Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Exam. While we consider the candidate's entire application record, we prefer a minimum score of 475 on the verbal section of the GRE or a minimum of 399 on the Miller Analogies Test. The Graduate Record Exam is given year-round in the U.S., Canada and at many sites abroad. To find out more about the exam, the location of test centers and to register for it, go to: http://www.ets.org.
- A sample of the applicant's writing, preferably a graded paper or one that has been written in pursuit of one's professional work.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student's academic and/or professional record.
Students lacking a foundation in undergraduate Political Science may be required to take appropriate graduate or undergraduate courses in Political Science. Application as a non-matriculated student. Students not interested in pursuing a degree, those whose previous records do not qualify them for matriculation or older students whose records are outdated may choose this route. Students who start the program as a non-matriculated student and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA may reapply for matriculation after taking three courses (9 credits) in the program. The credits earned as a non-matriculated student will be applied to the degree.
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What Our Students Say
 "The Public Policy and International Affairs program at William Paterson University has given me the opportunity to both learn about domestic policy in the United States and how it relates to foreign policy abroad. The program offers a variety of courses that appeal to students of all interests and the faculty is always willing to discuss other learning venues as well. This program has challenged me in many new ways and has allowed me to learn about areas outside of my concentration. Our program is very close-knit and it has been easy to make personal relationships with the students and faculty. My decision to enroll in this Masters program has been nothing but rewarding and I look forward to where it will take me in the future."
-- Danielle D'Annibale. Graduate Assistant,
Department of Secondary/Middle School Education;
Public Policy and International Affairs Student
Career Focus: National Security
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Foreign students face an additional set of application requirements. Instructions for international students applying for graduate programs can be obtained by clicking here or by calling the Director of International Students at: 973-720-2976. International students are not eligible for federal and state financial assistance at William Paterson University. However, students possessing F-1 or J-1 visas may work part-time on campus through the University's own student employment program. Students may work up to twenty hours a week when classes are in session and forty hours a week during breaks.
Graduate Students are eligible to apply for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program and the regular student employment program. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available to qualified students. A graduate assistantship is an academic award that carries a $6,000 stipend and a waiver of tuition and fees for the extent of the appointment. Graduate assistants are students who are matriculated and enrolled full-time in a graduate program. Graduate assistants work on campus a total of 20 hours per week. Candidates seeking to apply for graduate assistantships must fill out an application form that can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions. Since graduate assistantships are competitive, those wishing to apply should do so as early as possible, preferably by April 1st and no later than May 1 of the year preceding the start of fall classes. For more information on loans, contact the Financial Aid Office at 973-720-2202. For further information about graduate assistantships, visit the Office of Graduate Admissions' website.
Some housing for single students is available on campus. Students interested in on-campus housing must contact the Office of Residence Life.
For specific information on the M.A. in Public Policy and International Affairs, contact:
- During the months of July and August 2008
Dr. Carole Sheffield, Summer Graduate Director, Department of Political Science at 973.720.2508 or via e-mail at sheffieldc@wpunj.edu.
- From September 2008-June 2009
Dr. Sheila Collins, Graduate Director, Department of Political Science at 973.720.3424 or via e-mail at collinss@wpunj.edu.
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What Our Students Say
 "Since enrolling in the International Affairs and Public Policy MA program I have learned so much about the world and how I fit in it. The impact of this program will be with me for the rest of my life, not just because of the degree that I will receive. I have learned from this program that the world needs and wants change, but this change must start with me. My dream to be a change agent flourished because I was here, right now, and I was open to this experience!"
--Lakeisha Brooks, Graduate Assistant,
American Democracy Project
Career Focus: Government Service
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Maya Chadda. Ph.D., The New School for Social Research. Research Areas: comparative foreign policy, conflict and conflict resolution, Asia and Gulf region.
Sheila Collins. Graduate Director, Ph.D., Union Institute Graduate School. Research Areas: American government and politics, social policy, globalization, social movements and civil society, environmental politics and policy.
Wartyna Davis. Ph.D., Florida State University. Research areas: political organizations, research methodology, race and ethnic politics.
Diana M. Judd. Ph.D., Rutgers University. Research areas: Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy, Early Modern and Modern Political Theory, Religion and Politics, Philosophy of Science, American Government and Politics.
Christine Kelly. Ph.D., Rutgers University. Research areas: political and social theory, political and social movements, American institutions, civic engagement, education policy, media policy, labor and gender politics.
Arnold Lewis. Ph.D., Florida State University. Research areas: public policy and administration, policy analysis, research methods, state and urban political economy, southern political economy, race and economic development, legislative affairs.
John Mason. Ph.D., City University of New York Graduate School. Research areas: comparative politics (European Union, France, European security policy), modern social theory, political economy.
Michael Principe. Ph.D., University of California at Santa Barbara; J.D., University of Washington. Research areas: Constitutional law, comparative rights, political theory, international human rights & policy.
Stephen R. Shalom. Ph.D., Boston University. Research areas: international relations, U.S. foreign policy, research methods.
Carole Sheffield. Ph.D., Miami University. Research Areas: political socialization, political theory, feminist theory, and sexual violence.
Aaron Tesfaye. Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University. Research areas: international political economy, comparative politics, public policy, hydropolitics, African politics.
Michael J. Thompson. Ph.D., Graduate Center, City University of New York. Research areas: public policy, political economy, globalization, American politics, political and social theory, critical theory, economic inequality.
Martin Weinstein. Ph.D., New York University. Research Areas: Latin American politics, U.S.-Latin American relations (human rights, drugs, immigration and trade policy), Caribbean politics, comparative politics.
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What Our Students Say
 "The Masters of Arts program in Public Policy and International Affairs offers a comprehensive background in core areas while addressing the foundations of policy drivers all within a global perspective. Within this framework graduate students can also focus on specific policy areas and specific international areas relevant tot their own fields of interest.
"The professors have provided a curriculum that is intellectually expanding and challenging. The department is supportive and the program design is cohesive, organized and provides a clear path toward completion."
-- Jane Hutnik. Graduate Assistant, Political Science;
Public Policy and International Affairs Student
Career Focus: Child Development Administration
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