The U.S. News & World Report 2020 rankings for graduate schools of public affairs lists the Heller School for Social Policy and Management number seventh in social policy. The Heller School continues to be ranked in the top 20 percent of rankings-eligible graduate schools in the overall public affairs category and is among the top four graduate schools in New England for public affairs.
Heller rose one spot from its 2019 ranking of number eight among schools in the social policy specialty area, and it maintains its ranking among the top 20 schools in health policy and management. Heller was also listed for the first time in the public policy analysis specialty, where it ranks number 32.
The 2020 U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on a survey of deans, directors and department chairs at 290 graduate schools of public affairs. Dean David Weil says, “The Heller School has a proud tradition of excellence among our peer institutions in social policy and health policy. In today’s political environment, it is essential that we continue to build the field by teaching students to champion evidence-based policy solutions that combat rising social inequities.”
Heller is a nationally-recognized research and educational institution shaped by the social justice roots it shares with Brandeis University. “Today more than ever, it is critical that our graduate institutions maintain the highest standards of scholarship and academic research,” says Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz. “We are proud that the Heller School continues to be recognized for its achievements in these areas.”
Echoing these sentiments, Brandeis Provost and former Heller Dean Lisa Lynch adds, “Heller is unique among many of its peers for the importance it places not just on engaging in top-notch education and research, but in connecting these activities with critical social issues of the moment. To be not only a top-ranked school, but one with real-world impact is an achievement to celebrate.”
The Heller School was founded in 1959 and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in the 2019-2020 academic year. Since its founding, the school has expanded from a single doctoral program in social policy to include six master’s degrees that span U.S. and global policy as well as management. The institution also boasts 11 research institutes, centers and collaboratives known for their applied interdisciplinary research and active public engagement. The school’s motto is “knowledge advancing social justice.”