#2024APPAM Spotlight: Truman School of Government and Public Affairs

What are some of your school's core values and how do they come across in the courses and programs that you offer?

Personal and Academic integrity, focused on excellence, we are outcome centric – meaning we focus on the goals of our students and help them to achieve this, and a school that is balanced in its approach.

What types of programs do you offer?

PhD – Political Science, Public Affairs
Masters – MPA, Defense and Strategic Studies
Undergraduate – Political Science, Public Administration and Policy, Pre-Law

How are you helping to prepare students for careers in public service?

We are focused on experiential opportunities through trips, internships, and mentoring. Two staff members work alongside our faculty to create opportunities for students at every level of the Truman School; from internships, to interviews, to professional preparation we are invested in preparing our students for their careers.

What opportunities are available to students to get work experience while learning?

Many and varied. We emphasize work and learning opportunities at the federal, state and local levels with specialized trainings in federal jobs, partnerships locally, and staff designated to support career outcomes. Students can take a trip to DC to explore opportunities assisted by our alumni, they can see government in action in Kyrgyzstan, they can intern with the mayor of Columbia, all examples of our commitment to experiential learning.

What is something unique about your institution?

Unique balance of theoretical work and pragmatic opportunities, the blending of methodological understanding and the ability to transform it into substantiative change.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

From one of our recent PhD graduates: Pursue your degree at a place you feel supported, where you feel like you will have people to help you get through the challenging moments, where you feel confident that you will accomplish your goals.

Anything else you'd like to share?

The faculty and staff of the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs are dedicated to the success of our students.