At SPIA, we are proud to offer 3 graduate degrees: MPA, MPP, and PhD. Our rigorous graduate curriculum provides students with the policy toolkit they need to become effective changemakers that enables students to immerse themselves in a challenging intellectual environment. Students emerge with a sound understanding of the disciplines that shape public and international affairs.

Princeton University A.B. students are invited to declare into the SPIA major at the end of sophomore year. The major offers a multidisciplinary liberal arts curriculum for students who are interested in public service and becoming leaders in the world of public and international affairs. Students will acquire the tools, understanding, and habits of mind necessary to pursue policy problems of their choosing. The major is structured to provide disciplinary breadth and intellectual depth across a range of disciplinary or thematic areas.

Undergraduate

The Undergraduate Student Advisory Committee works with the Undergraduate Program Office to develop academic, career, and social programming to build community at SPIA. The committee is comprised of seven seniors and seven juniors, and we meet monthly to plan for the academic year. The committee members are nominated in the fall of junior year, and serve a two-year term. Initiatives that have been born out of the SAC are JP/SR Thesis Fridays, Public Service Career Day, Undergraduate Policy Day in DC, among others.

Graduate

One of the hallmarks of a SPIA education is the small cohort and tight-knit community among our students. Our student community begins from the admission process and continues into the summer program and academic year. While at SPIA, students have opportunities to be community members and community leaders. Our community members are public servants from diverse backgrounds, interests, experiences and also have diverse aspirations beyond graduation. We come together as one SPIA to collectively to engage, learn, and advocate for one another. Beyond graduation, our student community maintain close contact and are some of the most supportive alumni on campus.

Undergraduate

• Public Service Career Day
• Undergraduate Policy Day in DC
• Centers & Programs Fair
• Thesis Fountain Jump
• Declaration Celebration
• Class Day ceremony and reception

Graduate

• Princeton University Policy Students Government (PUPSG), Journal of Public and International Affairs (JPIA), Gender Policy Network, Africa Policy Network, Climate Club, SAOC, First+, and identity student groups.
• Fall SPIA Soiree
• Service Auction/Skit Night
• Policy Prom

Undergraduates

Fellowships

Many SPIA undergraduate students consider postgraduate fellowships such as the Rhodes, Fulbright, Marshall, Boren, and Schwarzman Fellowships to name a few. Planning for fellowships should begin in the spring of your junior year as applications require many components such as recommendation letters, personal statements, and more. For more information on fellowships, please review the Fellowship Advising page and connect with a fellowship advisor.

Mentoring

The Undergraduate Program has partnered with the Graduate Program to support mentoring. Undergraduates will be matched with graduate student mentors to discuss academics, career, and more. If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please contact Zach Ahmed (zach.ahmed@princeton.edu). Undergraduates will be able to sign up to be a mentee in the beginning of the fall semester. The program is supported by the Undergraduate Student Advisory Committee.

Graduates

Our Graduate students are eager to support one another in their journey at SPIA, we currently have a mentorship program among the MPA students. Additionally, all graduate students can become involved in the undergraduate mentoring program.

• Each year, some of our MPAs are part of the Rangel/Pickering Fellowship, as well as Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative (SINSI). (you can get more info for this section from admission)