WALTHAM, MA—The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University is among the best graduate schools for public affairs, according to the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Heller jumped two spots to number eight among schools of social policy, and was ranked for the first time among schools of health policy and management, at number eleven.
The rankings for social policy and health policy and management are specialty areas within the public affairs category, where Heller ranks number 52. Heller is among the top three graduate schools ranked for public affairs in New England.
Heller Dean David Weil says, “We are delighted that our peers have recognized our deep commitment and excellence in providing graduate students with tools and frameworks to pursue careers in social policy. We will continue to pursue new ways to achieve our mission of ‘knowledge advancing social justice.’”
For decades, Heller researchers, faculty, students and alumni have worked to respond to the needs of marginalized populations everywhere. When Heller was founded in 1959, it offered a pioneering doctoral program focused on cultivating equity through domestic social policy research. Heller’s academic scope has since expanded to include six master’s degrees in both U.S. and global policy, all with a common focus on social issues such as inequality and health.
Today, Heller is a nationally-recognized research and educational institution shaped by the social justice roots it shares with Brandeis University. The school is home to 10 research centers and institutes, known for their applied interdisciplinary research and active public engagement.
U.S. News & World Report rankings of public affairs programs are based on a survey of deans, directors and department chairs at 282 graduate schools. “We are proud that the Heller School continues to be recognized for its excellence by our community of peer institutions,” says Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz. “Heller provides its students with the practical training and skills required to solve the most challenging problems, such as economic inequality, healthcare access and the opioid epidemic.”
“In these challenging times, graduate schools like Heller are more important than ever,” says Brandeis Provost and former Heller Dean Lisa Lynch. “Heller has a unique reputation for its commitment to addressing critical social issues through rigorous research and active public engagement.”