DEDICATED INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE

Meet Students Where Their Search Begins Before They Narrow Their List

Standard membership includes a dedicated, student facing school site on PPIA’s national platform designed to drive early discovery and direct students to your most current program information.

As part of PPIA’s Standard Membership, each partner institution receives a dedicated school site on the PPIA website where students are already exploring graduate programs early in their decision journey.

Students use the PPIA directory to discover schools by program, degree, and location, and each page links directly to your institution’s site so programs remain accurate and current.

Pages follow a consistent, student centered format while allowing customization to align with your marketing and communications goals. Customized pages can also be amplified through PPIA’s social and digital channels.

Overview

At the Ford School of Public Policy, you explore public policy in Ann Arbor through a hands-on, analytical approach that draws on Michigan’s strengths in economics, data, social science, and applied research. You learn by engaging with real policy challenges through research centers, policy labs, and internships that connect you to government, nonprofit, and private-sector work in Michigan and beyond.

PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) at the Michigan Ford School

For more than 40 years, the Ford School has hosted the Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) A Junior Summer Institute, a rigorous seven‑week program that prepares diverse undergraduates for graduate study and leadership roles in public service. Participants sharpen their communication and quantitative reasoning skills through courses in statistics, microeconomics, and writing, and explore real‑world policy challenges in short, focused modules. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to build skills, confidence, and a network of peers committed to making a difference.

A Message from the Dean of the Michigan Ford School

Celeste M. Watkins-Hayes, Dean of the Ford School of Public Policy, introduces the “three-legged stool” of public policy in this short video. She is one of the expert voices featured in the open online course Using Public Policy for Social Change, taught by Paula Lantz, Professor of Health Policy at the Ford School, which offers an accessible introduction to how public policy shapes communities and social change.

Information Sessions & Events

Learn about Michigan Public Policy through virtual and in-person information sessions designed for prospective students who want to explore graduate study without pressure. These sessions offer insights from admissions staff, faculty, and current students.

Programs & Pathways

Explore the range of graduate degree programs offered at Michigan Public Policy, including full-time, joint, and specialized options, while also learning about the policy areas where the school has deep expertise. As you review programs and focus areas—from domestic and social policy to international and economic issues—you can better understand how your academic interests align with advanced policy study and your future career goals.

Preparing for Graduate Study

Get guidance on how undergraduates can prepare for graduate-level public policy programs through coursework, experiences, and skill development. This section is designed to help you think ahead and plan intentionally.

Careers & Outcomes

See how graduates of Michigan Public Policy pursue careers across government, nonprofits, research organizations, and the private sector. Understanding career outcomes can help you evaluate how graduate study supports long-term professional goals.