Duke Sanford is one of the nation's premier schools of public policy, recognized both nationally and abroad for teaching, policy engagement and research.

Facts & Rankings

top 10% of all public affairs schools/programs in US. #3 environmental policy, #5 health policy, #6 public policy analysis, #6 social policy

About Us

Passionate Changemakers

Our students and alumni are passionate change-makers, using the skills they learned here to make a difference.

Premier Faculty

Our multi-disciplinary faculty includes former policy-makers and noted scholars. Their research addresses some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Fantastic Location

Durham, NC is a top 10 place to live and has been named America’s Foodiest Small Town

Program Accolades

Master of Public Policy

Highlights

Complete your degree in two years
65+ students per cohort
Tuition fellowships via AmeriCorps, City Year, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and Yellow Ribbon
26 centers and programs across the university are led by Sanford faculty
6 Dual Degrees – MPP + Business, Data Science, Divinity, Environment, Law or Medicine

Master of International Development Policy

Highlights

Complete your degree in one or two years
Globally diverse and impact-driven community
Flexible, self-designed curriculum supporting mid-career professionals to advance
sustainable development and amplify their impact
Partnerships with Rotary Peace Center, Korean Government, Peace Corps, and more.
Nine focus areas: applied development economics; institutions, governance and
organizations; social welfare policy; environment and energy management and policy;
global health and development; peace and conflict resolution; technology policy and
development; private sector and development; innovation and entrepreneurship

Duke University

Duke is #6 in U.S. universities and #27 in World University Rankings.

Small, diverse cohorts

Alumni in 100 countries

Master of National Security Policy

Highlights

12- or 20- month hybrid degree program
Classes meet primarily online with campus immersions each term
Designed for mid-career professionals
Students receive personal attention in cohort-style learning
Partnerships include the Duke’s Office of Veteran Affairs.

Flexible Hybrid Program

GI Bill Eligible

World-class Faculty

Master of Public Affairs

Highlights

15- or 18-month hybrid degree program tailored for mid-career professionals
25 - 30 students per cohort – fostering close peer connections, collaborative learning, and a strong professional network
Flexible online classes complemented by in-person residencies in Durham, N.C., and Washington, D.C. for hands-on experiences and networking opportunities
Choice of two concentrations: Leadership, Management and Ethics; and Tech Policy
15+ award-winning faculty and experienced practitioners

Flexible hybrid program

High-impact in-person residencies

Applied capstone policy project

International Master of Environmental Policy

Highlights

2-year program, in English, based at Duke’s 200-acre LEED-certified green campus in Kunshan, China
Degree offered in partnership with Duke Nicholas School of the Environment
One semester at Duke University campus in Durham, NC
Networking and internships in China and U.S.
Work closely with the Environmental Research Center at Duke Kunshan University
Generous merit and need-based scholarships

Environmental Policy

U.S. News and World Report

Based at Duke Kunshan, China

Nicholas School

Program is in partnership with the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University

Doctoral Program

Highlights

6-8 candidates matriculate each year
Focus on one of these areas: social policy, global policy, health policy, environmental policy
Personalized advising

Job Placement

100% job placement rate.

40 World-Class Faculty Advisors

100+ Alumni

Undergraduate Program

Highlights

2 certificates offered - child policy and health policy
Study in Washington, DC or Glasgow
Assistance landing prestigious internships: The White House, U.S. State Dept., Congressional offices, WGBH, Microsoft and more
Special programs include the Hart Leadership program; Duke in DC; Duke’s Center for Politics (Polis); Duke Program in American Grand Strategy
Eligible for 4+1 Accelerated Master of Public Policy – complete both undergraduate and masters in 5 years
Minor: policy journalism/media studies is now a minor

Best College for Public Policy

2020 Niche.com

Duke Sanford is one of the nation's premier schools of public policy, recognized both nationally and abroad for teaching, policy engagement and research.

Facts & Rankings

About Us

Passionate Changemakers

Premier Faculty

Fantastic Location

Program Accolades

Master of Public Policy

Highlights

Master of International Development Policy

Highlights

Duke University

Small, diverse cohorts

Alumni in 100 countries

Master of National Security Policy

Highlights

Flexible Hybrid Program

GI Bill Eligible

World-class Faculty

Master of Public Affairs

Highlights

Flexible hybrid program

High-impact in-person residencies

Applied capstone policy project

International Master of Environmental Policy

Highlights

Environmental Policy

Based at Duke Kunshan, China

Nicholas School

Doctoral Program

Highlights

Job Placement

40 World-Class Faculty Advisors

100+ Alumni

Undergraduate Program

Highlights

Best College for Public Policy

Top major at Duke

Prestigious internships