Women in Politics and Public Policy
About the Program
The Program for Women in Politics and Public Policy is a two-semester graduate certificate program that prepares women to serve at all levels of government, take on leadership roles in non-profit organizations, hold elected office, and pursue advanced degrees, most frequently in law and public policy.
The program offers a unique combination of graduate-level academic work in policy studies, analytical and research skills, and carefully supervised professional field work in addition to advising, counseling, and professional development services.
The program begins in September and runs through May. Students take four courses as a cohort (in addition to their internship) that combine the theory and practice of public policy analysis and research.
Women in Politics and Public Policy curriculum.
Nationally Recognized Faculty
In this unique-in-the-nation, award-winning program, you will study with faculty who are nationally recognized scholars and researchers in the fields of gender, politics, and public policy.
Women in Politics and Public Policy faculty and staff.
Priority Access to Valuable Resources
In addition to hearing from guest experts, students in the Women in Politics and Public Policy program have priority access to both on-campus and off-campus resources. Here are a few examples of the resources available to those in the Women in Politics and Public Policy program:
- Intensive advising about internship placements, research interests, and professional goals.
- Special guest lectures, colloquia, and networking events of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, such as the Women's Research Forum, Law Careers for Women, Public Speaking, and Mentoring for Women.
- Opportunities to connect with faculty, researchers, and other students at the McCormack Graduate School's master's and PhD programs in policy studies.
- The Women in Politics and Public Policy Library - with information resources you need as well as meeting space and computers.
- Financial assistance through the Betty Taymor Scholarship Fund.
Financial aid and scholarships for women in the program.
Public Policy Internship
One of the most exciting components of the program is the Public Policy Internship. Students spend 200 hours over two semesters as interns in the offices of members of Congress or state senators and representatives; in state or local agencies, non-profit or advocacy organizations; or at prestigious research institutes.
Internship opportunities in the Women in Politics and Public Policy program.
Contact us for More Information
For more information on the acclaimed Women in Politics and Public Policy program at UMass Boston, to get your questions answered or to schedule an admissions interview, contact Donna Stewartson, Associate Program Director by telephone at 617.287.6785 or by email at Donna.Stewartson@ umb.edu.
Apply now for Sept. 2010
To find out if the program is right for you, contact Donna Stewartson, Associate Program Director, at 617.287.6785 or Donna.Stewartson@ umb.edu.
News about our recent graduates
Dalié Jiménez, Class of 2006, is now in her third year at Harvard Law School.
Find out more about what our graduates have accomplished!
History of the Program
• The first-in-the-nation Program for Women in Politics and Public Policy was founded by Betty Taymor in 1968 as a demonstration project at Simmons College. At that time it was called the Program for Women in Politics and Government as it was developed to provide opportunities for women in government at a time when such opportunities were few and far between. After a two year hiatus, the Program then moved to Boston College, where it remained for 20 years.
• In 1992, with support from the Chancellor and women faculty, the Program moved to the University of Massachusetts Boston where it became full-time. It also began to attract a more diverse student body and now boasts one of the highest levels of diversity of any graduate program on campus.
• There are now over 650 women in Massachusetts, across the nation, and around the world who were trained in the Program for leadership roles in politics, government, and public policy. They are a great source of information, connections, and mentoring for new students.
Visit the Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy
The Graduate Program is part of the Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy, which also offers exciting opportunities for research in women's issues and connections for current and future female leaders.