Voinovich School continues to advance in top U.S. public affairs schools, MPA rankings

Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs has tied for 58th on the U.S. News and World Report’s list of the top public affairs graduate schools for 2020, advancing from 68th in 2019 and moving into the top 20% of public affairs schools nationwide. The Voinovich School’s MPA degree was also named as the 18th Best Online Master’s Public Administration Degrees by Guide to Online Schools.

Jason Jolley, professor and MPA director at the Voinovich School, said this peer ranking, which is comprised of a national survey of all public affairs deans and program directors, is further recognition of the increasing importance of public service colleges, like the Voinovich School, with a primary mission of engagement with their respective region and state.

“The Voinovich School is nationally recognized for focusing on developing research-based solutions and implementing innovative partnerships to build regional entrepreneurship, expand rural economies, prevent substance abuse, promote quality of life for children and families, and improve the environment,” Jolley said. “The ranking demonstrates that the Voinovich School is competitive with established programs like the University of Pennsylvania and University of North Carolina - Charlotte, and is tied with Cleveland State University Levin College as the second highest ranked public affairs program in the state of Ohio.”

Voinovich School Dean Mark Weinberg attributed the School’s success to its focus applied learning, involving students in applied research to develop and implement real-world solutions.  This is consistent with the mission of the School, founded in 2007 and named after the late Senator George V. Voinovich.

“The Voinovich School is a new type of professional college that integrates multidisciplinary faculty, professionals, students and alumni to work with governments, nonprofits and businesses to build strong and vibrant communities,” Weinberg said. “The School’s efforts have been highly successful in entrepreneurial development, water quality, education, health, child welfare, substance abuse prevention and waste reduction/​environmental remediation regionally and across Ohio.”

The Voinovich School has a strong reputation as a catalyst for economic growth and opportunity, social impact and sustainability, and leadership and community building. 

Graduate programs include the Master of Science in Environmental Studies and the Master of Public Administration, provided in three formats including an Executive MPA designed for working professionals offered at OHIO’s Dublin Center, an exclusively online MPA, and a traditional campus-based MPA, now available to complete in just one year.

Undergraduates also benefit from the Voinovich School through participation in the Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholars program, which provides high-performing students the opportunity to participate in applied research and work directly with the Voinovich School’s faculty and professionals.