Become part of an educational community committed to social justice and equity.
UMass Boston’s policy and governance programs provide future leaders with the skills to catalyze change through effective policies and negotiation that strengthen governance and communities, fix injustices, and improve people’s lives.
Choose from master's degrees in conflict resolution, public administration, and international relations, and graduate certificates in conflict resolution and gender, leadership & public policy.
- Hands-on Experience. Perform cutting-edge research and network with organizations making an impact locally, nationally, and globally.
- Outcomes. Learn how to create effective policies that create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for everyone.
- Reputation. Ranked in Best Value School’s Top 30 Most Innovative Public Service Schools in the United States.
- Affordability. Take advantage of one of the lowest online tuition rates in the field; significant in-person tuition breaks for Massachusetts and New England residents.
UMass Boston’s policy and governance programs provide future leaders with the skills to catalyze change through effective policies and negotiation that strengthen governance and communities, fix injustices, and improve people’s lives.
Choose from master's degrees in conflict resolution, public administration, and international relations, and graduate certificates in conflict resolution and gender, leadership & public policy.
- Hands-on Experience. Perform cutting-edge research and network with organizations making an impact locally, nationally, and globally.
- Outcomes. Learn how to create effective policies that create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for everyone.
- Reputation. Ranked in Best Value School’s Top 30 Most Innovative Public Service Schools in the United States.
- Affordability. Take advantage of one of the lowest online tuition rates in the field; significant in-person tuition breaks for Massachusetts and New England residents.
Explore Graduate Programs
Conflict Resolution Certificate
Develop expert skills in conflict mediation, negotiation, and resolution.
UMass Boston's Conflict Resolution certificate program prepares you for a career as an expert negotiator, mediator, or facilitator.
- Graduates go on to become leaders in government, business, education, human resources, and more
- Earn a certificate 100% online or in person in just 9 months
- Apply for and transfer credits to the in-person master's degree program
- Take advantage of one of the lowest online tuition rates in the field; significant in-person tuition discounts for MA and New England residents
Applications to start in the fall are due June 1. Applications to start the online certificate in the spring are due November 1.
Conflict Resolution MA
Become an expert in conflict mediation, negotiation, and resolution.
UMass Boston's Conflict Resolution master's program provides you with the skills to navigate conflict in interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, and international settings.
- Alumni have gone on to work in disputed border regions, court mediation, cross-cultural conflict, democracy and peace building, and dispute resolution
- Be part of the first Conflict Resolution program in New England
- MA residents: half the cost of private grad school, New England residents: up to $12k tuition break
- Programs designed for working professionals — study part-time or full-time in evening and weekend classes
Applications to start in the fall are due May 1.
Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Certificate
Learn to unpack gender, race/ethnicity, and class issues in politics.
UMass Boston's award-winning Gender, Leadership & Public Policy certificate program prepares you for a leadership role in government, policy, and the nonprofit world.
- Take courses 100% online or in person, full time or part time, in a program designed for working professionals
- Intern in the office of an elected official, government agency, nonprofit, or advocacy group in your home state
- Online tuition among the lowest in the field; significant in-person tuition breaks for MA and New England residents
- Continue your studies with two extra semesters of in-person courses to earn a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy.
Applications to start in the fall are due July 1.
Gerontology Certificate
Develop expertise in aging issues, including economics, psychology, policies, and more.
UMass Boston’s graduate-level Gerontology Certificate program prepares you to start your career in the aging services field.
- Work in one of the fastest growing fields in the U.S.; graduates in high demand with major employers in elder care and long-term services & supports
- Program is 100% online, can be completed in 9 months, and has one of the lowest tuition rates in the field
- Tuition break available for active members of Leading Age.
- Apply for and transfer credits into the Gerontology: Management of Aging Services master's program
Applications to start in the fall are due July 1. Applications to start in the spring are due December 1.
Gerontology: Management of Aging Services MS
Become a leader in the fast-growing field of aging services.
UMass Boston’s Gerontology: Management of Aging Services MS program prepares you to advance your career in the business of aging.
- Work in one of the fastest growing fields in the U.S.
- Graduates in high demand with major employers in elder care and long-term services & supports
- Program is 100% online and has one of the lowest tuition rates in the field
- Tuition break available for active members of Leading Age
Applications to start in the fall are due July 1. Applications to start in the spring are due December 1.
Gerontology: Research/Policy MS
Become a policy advocate for aging adults.
UMass Boston's Gerontology: Research/Policy master's program provides you with the skills and tools you need to do basic and applied research that will help advocate for better policies and services for diverse older populations.
- Alumni are working as research associates and analysts in academic and non-academic settings
- Significant in-person tuition breaks are available for MA and New England residents
- Take advantage of opportunities to perform research at UMass Boston's Gerontology Institute
- Apply to continue your studies in UMass Boston's Gerontology PhD program
Applications to start in the fall are due June 1.
International Relations MA
Understand strategies for successful political development and develop techniques for building peace on a global scale.
UMass Boston's International Relations master's program prepares you for a career developing solutions to political and economic global challenges.
- Program is internationally recognized for its distinctive focus on developing solutions to the issues that matter most to individuals, communities, and nations
- Graduates become leaders in government, international organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and education
- MA residents: half the cost of private grad school, New England residents: get a $12k tuition break
- Part-time or full-time, program designed for working professionals
Applications to start in the fall are due June 1.
Public Administration MPA
Develop expert skills to manage and lead public programs.
UMass Boston's NASPAA-accredited MPA program thoroughly prepares you for a leadership career in public administration and policy.
- Learn the essentials in budgeting and finance, economics, ethics, organizational behavior, politics, and statistics
- Graduates go on to become leaders in government, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations
- Designed for working professionals with evening courses and occasional weekend seminars; program is half the cost of private grad school; no GRE required
- Students in the Gender, Leadership & Public Policy track can complete up to 6 courses online
Applications to start this fall are due April 15 (priority) and July 1 (final).
Why pursue a policy master's degree or certificate at UMass Boston?
- Networking. Faculty have deep connections to academic communities and local, national, and international organizations and governments.
- Recognition. Programs are internationally-recognized for their values-driven research, award-winning interdisciplinary education, and their distinctive focus on developing solutions to the issues that matter most to individuals, communities, and nations.
- Program values. The programs emphasize social and economic justice and effective and innovative governance to increase equity and community engagement by serving underrepresented populations.
- Renowned Faculty. Courses are taught by expert faculty and practitioners who are committed to student success. Faculty research has been funded by Carnegie, Fulbright, Guggenheim, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health, among others. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with them on research and other projects.
Recent Graduate Employers.
Alumni have gone on to successful careers in academia, nonprofits, and local governments. They work locally, nationally, and globally. They're serving as elected officials in their local and state governments. They're performing research, developing policies, and doing work to improve the lives of people in their communities and around the world:
Take the next step.
Ready to get started? Connect with UMass Boston today and start focusing on your future.