Good Public Policy Programs for IR

[alphazeta]

I'm looking to do a master of public policy with a focus on international relations, and particularly international security. What are the good ones that aren't impossible to get into? Kennedy and Wilson both sound like great programs, but they are more of my "reach schools". Anyone know of good programs that are a bit less selective? Thanks.

[polisciphd]

At most schools public policy is oriented primarily towards US public policy. If you are wanted to do international security, then what you need to look at is doing a security studies degree from one of the APSIA schools, some examples of which are GW's Elliott School (where I did my masters), Georgetown's School of Foreign Service Security Studies Program, SAIS at Johns Hopkins, SIS at American, Fletcher at Tufts, Maxwell at Syracuse, etc.

[Parisienne]

How about a Masters of International Affairs at Columbia's SIPA? I think they have an "International Security Policy" concentration that's supposed to be very good. It's a less selective than KSG & WWS but still a top program.

[nihs.j]

Here check this ranking by Foreign Policy Magazine:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms. ... 685&page=1

Of course you shouldn't go by this ranking definitely, but it gives you somewhat of an idea of where some schools stand. Any of the top 20 though is great.