The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs (or LBJ School of Public Affairs) is a graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin that was founded in 1970. The school offers training in public policy analysis and administration in government and public affairs-related areas of the private and nonprofit sectors. Degree programs include a Master of Public Affairs (MPAff), a mid-career MPAff sequence, 16 MPAff dual degree programs, a Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS), eight MGPS dual degree programs, an Executive Master of Public Leadership, and a Ph.D. in public policy.

Overview

The LBJ School offers a Master of Public Affairs program in public policy analysis and administration, with 16 dual degree programs for the Master of Public Affairs degree and a second degree. Program offerings include Master of Public Affairs program, a mid-career master's program, and the seventeen master's-level programs leading to dual degrees: Advertising; Asian Studies; Business Administration; Communication Studies; Energy and Earth Resources; Engineering; Information Studies; Journalism; Latin American Studies; Law; Middle Eastern Studies; Public Health; Radio, Television, Film; Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies; Social Work; and Women's and Gender Studies. The school offers a Ph.D. in public policy. Master's students have the option to specialize in one of seven areas: international affairs; natural resources and the environment; nonprofit and philanthropic studies; public leadership and management; social and economic policy; technology, innovation, and information policy; or urban and state affairs. In 2008, the LBJ School introduced a Master of Global Policy Studies. Program offerings include specializations in the areas of security, law and diplomacy; international trade and finance; development; global governance and international law; energy, environment, and technology; regional international policy; and customized specializations. Program offerings include ten dual degree programs: Asian Studies; Business; Energy and Earth Resources; Information Studies; Journalism; Latin American Studies; Law; Middle Eastern Studies; Public Health; and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. The school offers a Portfolio Program in Arts and Cultural Management and Entrepreneurship and a Portfolio Program in Nonprofit Studies. The school sponsors non-degree programs for public affairs professionals. As of 2011–2012, the LBJ School has graduated 3,508 master's degree students since its first inaugural class in 1972, as well as 56 Ph.D. students from 1992 to August 2013. In 2013, the LBJ School launched an Executive Master in Public Leadership for mid-career professionals.

Centers

The LBJ School of Public Affairs has five research centers. Some of the School's centers have sponsored other conferences, workshops, and publications.

Student initiatives

The Great Society Fund was created by the class in 2005 to finance social entrepreneurship projects started by LBJ students and alumni. The Baines Report is the officially-sponsored student publication of the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Led by students, the Baines Report publishes student opinion pieces and event coverage for the LBJ School.

Commencement speakers

Rankings

The LBJ School is ranked 7th among public affairs programs in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report, up from 8th in 2021.

List of deans

Notable alumni