Knowledge Advancing Social Justice
Since its founding as Brandeis University's first professional school in 1959, the Heller School has been committed to developing new knowledge and insights in the field of social policy and in health and human services management.
Through the graduate education of students, pursuit of applied interdisciplinary research and active public engagement in both the public and private sectors, the Heller School is constantly examining policies and programs that respond to the changing needs of vulnerable individuals and social groups in our society.
As a graduate school and research institution, the Heller School has pioneered in a variety of policy areas, including health; mental health; substance abuse; children, youth, and families; aging; international and community development; mental retardation and developmental disabilities; poverty and hunger; and work and inequalities.
The faculty, students and staff of the Heller School are culturally and professionally diverse with broadly varied academic and organizational backgrounds. The school provides a setting where students who are experienced practitioners are exposed to innovative ideas, and those with less experience are prepared to enter the field.
The Heller School's vision is focused and clear, believing in the power of knowledge advancing social justice.
The Heller School offers five educational programs designed explicitly to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Heller's goal is to prepare the next generation of scholars, policy analysts, managers, and public leaders who will tackle society's most pressing social problems.
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Policy
Educates students for careers in research, teaching, consulting, administration, policy analysis, and organizational leadership. - Master of Arts (M.A.) in Sustainable International Development
Prepares leaders to design and manage local, regional, national, or international development. - Master of Science (M.S.) in International Health Policy and Management
Educates young professionals to play increasingly responsible roles in the health and well-being of the world's poorest citizens. - Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Prepares leaders for management positions within nonprofit, for-profit, and public institutions pursuing social missions. - Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) in social policy
Educates the next generation of policy analysts, advocates, researchers, and managers.
Students (2006 - 2007)
- Doctorate of Philosophy: 165
- Master of Arts: 165
- Master of Science: 28
- Master of Business Administration: 40
Degrees Awarded (2006)
- Doctorate of Philosophy: 27
- Master of Arts: 81
- Master of Science: 13
- Master of Business Administration: 23
Alumni
There are more than 1,800 Heller alums, with 86% living in the United States and 14% abroad. Heller alumni are found in positions of leadership all over the world, making a significant difference in the lives of the vulnerable.
Number Three Ranking
In the 2007 edition of its bi-annual ranking of the best graduate schools in social policy, U.S. News and World Report ranked the Heller School at number three.
However, when compared to its counterparts, the Heller School is unique in its approach to the field of social policy. The school meshes interdisciplinary policy studies with practical skills. By joining these two critical elements, Heller graduates are better prepared for a fulfilling career in finding solutions to society's most pressing social problems.
Heller has remained a leader in the field of social policy since its founding in 1959, when it was the first school of its kind to bridge the gap between social welfare and policy. The strength of Heller research and educational programs cemented its positioning among the top institutions in the field. The Heller School continues to be at the forefront of social policy, conducting research and educating students to respond to the changes and challenges of our health and social service delivery systems.
Brandeis University
Brandeis University, a private, nonsectarian research institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts, was established in 1948. It is now one of the leading institutions of higher education in the country, having earned recognition by Phi Beta Kappa only 13 years after its founding, the youngest institution to be so honored in more than 100 years. In 1998, Brandeis was ranked as the top-rising research institution in the nation in The Rise of American Research Universities, a major study by Hugh Davis Graham and Nancy Diamond, published by The Johns Hopkins University Press.
In 1998, Brandeis was ranked as the top-rising research institution in the nation in The Rise of American Research Universities, a major study by Hugh Davis Graham and Nancy Diamond, published by The Johns Hopkins University Press.Named for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis, the University embodies the ideals set forth by Justice Brandeis, who stood for the rights of individuals, believed in the pursuit of knowledge, and saw its transmission from generation to generation as a sacred trust. To that end, a commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and freedom of expression continues the legacy of the University's early founders and its namesake.
Location: Waltham, Massachusetts, a city of 58,000, nine miles west of Boston
Boston is one of the world's great cities and is an internationally known center of student life, host to one of the largest concentrations of students in the world. It's also the unofficial capital of New England, set in a region abounding in historical and cultural attractions, music and dance, theater, concerts, vibrant nightlife and professional sports teams. Boston combines European-style architecture with the energy of an American center of learning, health care, and high technology.
