What is smart policy?

Smart policy helps create a robust labor market. It leads to stronger early childhood education. It promotes progress in the developing world. It can even lead to healthier and happier lives.

Smart policy relies on evidence-based decision-making in constructing laws and regulations and making funding decisions at the local, state, Federal, or international level. Smart policy is driven by informed debate and critical thinking about complex issues that often cross disciplinary, political, and geographic boundaries. The success of smart social, political, and economic policies is critical to the progress of society.

At the McCourt School of Public Policy we are training tomorrow’s policy leaders today. Our mission is to give our students the rigorous quantitative and analytic skills needed to design and implement smart policies. We recognize that corporations, NGO’s, nonprofits, and philanthropy play an increasingly critical role in public policy and we prepare our students to work in these emerging sectors as well as within all levels of the government.

Through cutting edge research, the McCourt School’s world-renowned faculty identifies pressing problems and recommends effective and sensible solutions. Our faculty and research centers study policy issues on today’s most critical topics including economic security, energy and the environment, education, international development, and health and healthcare.

Our location in Washington, D.C., puts our students at the epicenter of the policy world. It allows us to bring in leading policy practitioners as both teachers and speakers. Our students regularly intern and go on to work at the White House, in federal agencies, and on Capitol Hill. Our students find opportunities in the private sector with major consulting and evaluation firms and with local service-oriented and large international aid nonprofits based in our nation’s capital.

But don’t take our word for it. Explore our website to learn more, including our Research & Centers page to learn about the important work done by our faculty and research centers, or our Academics pages to learn more about our programs. Read the sections for Current Students and Alumni to learn more about our vibrant and engaged community.

Or better yet, come visit us to ask our faculty and students directly how they plan to change the world.