About Rockefeller College

Vision

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy is recognized globally as a college that empowers students, leaders, and communities to develop innovative solutions to issues of leading importance through interdisciplinary, engaged scholarship and lifelong learning programs that advance the common good in a diverse, complicated world. 
 

Mission

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy – an interdisciplinary and diverse community – equips students, leaders, and the broader public with the knowledge, skills, and tools required to craft innovative, inclusive solutions to pressing civic and social issues. 
 

Values

The following values inform our daily work:

• Civil Engagement: Encouraging and advancing free and open expression and discourse.  
• Exploration: Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in seeking out new ideas and opportunities. 
• Integrity and Inclusion: Fostering a humane and diverse community of belonging and mutual respect for everyone. 
• Openness: Developing and sustaining an integrated culture of curiosity and excellence in research, teaching, and learning across disciplines.  
• Public Good: Improving outcomes and lives through community and global engagement. 
• Student Centered: Prioritizing the student experience in everything we do.

A Brief History of the Rockefeller College

The Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy originated in 1947 as the Albany Graduate Program in Public Administration, a joint program of New York University and Syracuse University.

The new graduate program provided the rapidly expanding post-WWII state government of Governor Thomas E. Dewey with academic training in public administration. The State University of New York began to subsidize the training program in 1950, and in 1962 the State University of New York formally took over the program and renamed it the Graduate School of Public Affairs (GSPA). The new school offered MA and PhD programs in public administration and political science, and an MA in public affairs. An MPA was quickly added.

The school affiliated with the State University of New York at Albany (SUNYA) in September 1966. As part of SUNYA, the Graduate School took over the University’s Department of Political Science, adding undergraduate programs, and in 1981 created a Department of Public Administration and Policy.

In 1982, Rockefeller College was created, consisting of the GSPA, the School of Social Welfare, and the School of Criminal Justice. In 2000, the College was separated into different schools with GSPA becoming the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, named to honor the contributions of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller who served from 1959-1973. In the spring of 2020, the School of Criminal Justice was once again brought under the Rockefeller College umbrella, joining the Department of Public Administration and Policy and the Department of Political Science. 

Today, Rockefeller College offers undergraduate, masters and doctoral level degree programs. Students are able to benefit from academic and experiential learning opportunities in the Capital Region and beyond to develop a strong foundation for careers in the public, nonprofit and private sectors as well as careers in teaching and research.

The Centers and Institutes that are part of Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy conduct state-of-the-art research and policy analysis, improve the knowledge and skills of employees in public and nonprofit agencies through professional development, and work with government at all levels in the United States and abroad to strengthen democracy and promote effective governing.

• Criminal Justice
• Political Science
• Public Administration and Policy

MPA, MIA, MA 
Fall: February 1 (Priority Funding Deadline), July 1 (Regular Deadline)
Spring: December 1

Graduate Certificate
Fall: August 1
Spring: December 15

PhD (Fall Only)
Political Science: January 15
Public Administration: January 1

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Rockefeller College is proud to offer the most affordable tuition among its peers. Whether you already qualify for in-state tuition or are an out-of-state student who will get in-state tuition the following year, Rockefeller College has the best tuition value among all top 25 public affairs schools.

Please visit the Office of Student Accounts for more information on cost of attendance.

• 56 full-time faculty members

Fall 2022

Our MPA program graduation rate is approximately 85%. The program is designed to be completed in two years of full time study. The majority of our students complete the degree within two years. The University allows students to switch between full-time and part-time study at any time, as long as their degree is completed within six years; this allows students the flexibility to pursue relevant internship and employment opportunities. For a detailed breakdown of program completion rates, based on our most recent NASPAA self-study (SSY) report, please see here: