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The future isn't set in stone; it's written in policy.
The Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, which consistently ranks as one of the nation's leading public policy schools, offers four distinct master's degrees designed to empower current and emerging leaders to lift their careers, broaden their perspectives, and deepen their impact.
Residential Programs
Master of Public Policy
An early-career program designed to equip emerging policy leaders with the skills and knowledge to shape and implement policy while allowing the flexibility to customize their education to serve their needs and interests.
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Master of International Development Policy
The MIDP program equips mid-career professionals from around the world with policy expertise, technical skills, and a transformative peer-learning environment to advance sustainable development and amplify their impact.
Hybrid Programs
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Master of Public Affairs
A hybrid executive program designed for mid-career working professionals, with degree concentrations available in Leadership, Management, and Ethics, and Tech Policy. Classes combine brief in-person residencies in Durham and Washington, D.C. with state-of-the-art online instruction.
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Master of National Security Policy
Designed for mid-career national security professionals, this hybrid degree builds analytical and communication skills while students work full-time. Classes are online, with in-person residences on Duke’s main campus.
Program Comparison
All master’s programs include financial aid and fellowship opportunities, graduate career services, and professional development tailored to your career stage. Residential programs are based on campus. Hybrid programs blend synchronous and asynchronous online learning with brief in-person residencies.
| Programs | Modality | Stage | Customizable | Length | Dual Degree? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Public Policy | full-time, residential | early-career | yes | 24 months | yes |
| Master of International Development Policy | full-time, residential | mid-career | yes | 12, 18, or 24 months | no |
| Master of Public Affairs | hybrid | mid-career/executive | yes | 15 or 18 months | no |
| Master of National Security Policy | hybrid | mid-career/executive | no | 12 or 20 months | no |
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international Master of Environmental Policy
The iMEP program is designed to meet the growing global need for leaders who are versed in both Chinese and international environmental issues and policies. The Sanford School, in collaboration with the Nicholas School of the Environment, offers this master’s program at Duke Kunshan University in China.
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“I have met the most amazing people who have become friends, colleagues, professors, mentors, and advisors. They have shaped my time at Sanford and helped make it something wonderful. Classes at Duke have felt less like class and more like time to talk to friends about topics that fascinate us all."
- Rachel Ansley, MIDP'25
Students in the Spotlight
Climate Justice
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Antonella Di Ciano, MIDP'25, came to Duke to strengthen her ability to confront environmental crime and build resilient systems in Latin American that are grounded in climate justice, peace and gender equity.
National Security
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Steph Bossert, MNSP'25, is an active-duty officer in the U.S. Air Force. Witnessing the withdrawal from Afghanistan unfold was particularly challenging, fueling her quest "to better understand the ‘why’—how defense and broader security policy is formulated."
Reproductive Rights
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Brittany Gabriel, MPP'24, applied to graduate school on a whim. A registered dental hygienist, Brittany arrived in Durham expecting to focus on healthcare systems. But soon, she changed her professional focus.