Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online at https://utexas.box.com/v/UTAustinGraduateHandbooks. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.

Master of Public Affairs

The curriculum for the Master of Public Affairs degree program normally consists of 48 semester hours of coursework. Up to nine hours in core courses may be waived and substituted with approved electives if a student demonstrates prior training and proficiency substantially equivalent to core courses in introductory quantitative methods, microeconomics, and public financial management. The curriculum combines courses in politics and the policy process, economic analysis, empirical methods, and management with a practical applications sequence that includes a client-oriented policy research project.  A public service internship is required in the absence of relevant prior public service experience. A typical 48 semester-hour program of study includes eight one-semester core courses, at least one policy research project, a 12-week internship generally completed between the first and second years, six or seven electives, and an optional professional report.

The student must fulfill all academic requirements within six years of entering the program. Dual degree programs require additional coursework.

Full-time program. Most students are admitted to the full-time program, which they are generally expected to complete in two years of full-time study. A student who cannot attend full time may choose to complete the degree program on a part-time basis; the applicant must submit a written request for admission on a part-time basis when applying for admission to the program. A student enrolled in the full-time program may be allowed, for good reason, to change to part-time status.

DC program. The DC program option offers a student enrolled in the master's program a unique two-semester curriculum in federal policy which facilitates entry into federal careers. The track requires completion of 45 semester hours of coursework. Students attend The University of Texas at Austin their first two semesters, taking 24 semester credit hours. After the first year, students will spend the summer and fall in Washington, DC. Coursework will include a unique apprenticeship opportunity in a public or non-profit agency based on the student’s area of policy. 

Dual Degree Programs

Master of Public Affairs/Master of Public Health

The graduate program in Public Affairs offers a dual degree program with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health (UTSPH). Applicants must apply separately and be admitted to both the Master of Public Affairs program at The University of Texas at Austin and the Master of Public Health at UTSPH. Students accepted into the dual degree program complete the three-year program of work in both schools. The degrees are conferred separately by each institution. Additional information is available from the director of admissions at the LBJ School.

The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs offers the following dual degree programs in cooperation with other divisions of the University. More information is available from the graduate advisor in each program.

Master of Public Affairs

Major(s)	Degree(s)
Advertising	Master of Arts
Asian studies	Master of Arts
Business administration	Master of Business Administration
Communication studies	Master of Arts
Community and regional planning	Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning
Energy and earth resources	Master of Arts
Engineering	Master of Science in Engineering
Information studies	Master of Science in Information Studies
Journalism and media	Master of Arts
Latin American studies	Master of Arts
Law	Doctor of Jurisprudence
Medicine	Doctor of Medicine
Middle Eastern studies	Master of Arts
Radio-television-film	Master of Arts
Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies	Master of Arts
Social work	Master of Science in Social Work
Women's and gender studies	Master of Arts