After launching in January, the Ford School's Online Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program is gearing up for its first fall semester—offering students the opportunity to learn directly from respected faculty whose research and expertise shape the practice of public policy. Faculty teaching in the fall include:
- Morela Hernandez, Ligia Ramirez de Reynolds Collegiate Professor of Public Policy
Hernandez teaches how to lead in complex policy environments, sharing advanced strategies rooted in her research on adaptive leadership and organizational behavior. Students develop applicable skills for guiding teams through uncertainty and change—abilities they can immediately put to use in their organizations. - Mara Ostfeld, research associate professor and research director at the Center for Racial Justice
Ostfeld's fall Online MPA course, "Psychology of Communication and Persuasion," invites students to explore how political attitudes are formed and shifted. She shares tools, drawn from her expertise in survey research and public opinion, including her experience as principal investigator of the Puerto Rico Public Opinion Lab, the first large-scale, representative study of political attitudes across Puerto Rico. - Megan Tompkins-Stange, associate professor
Tompkins-Stange brings expertise in education policy and philanthropy to her courses on performance management and—this fall—on managing people and partnerships in mission-driven organizations. Her scholarship gives students a uniquely informed perspective on how private foundations shape outcomes and leadership across the public sector. - Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics
This fall, students will learn economic essentials from a faculty member whose work reframes how policymakers and the general public understand the economy. Wolfers makes economics accessible and engaging. You might have seen his contributions in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, or on broadcasts such as CNN, BBC, and Marketplace. As co-host of the "Think Like An Economist" podcast and author of several textbooks, he delivers timely, real-world lessons that help students connect economic thinking to the policy challenges they face.
Designed for working professionals, the Ford School's Online MPA program makes it possible for students to advance their education without pressing pause on their careers. Weekly live, synchronous sessions are scheduled in the evenings to make it easier for students to participate after their workdays. The faculty's commitment to mentorship ensures that every student is challenged, supported, and inspired.
Ready to learn more?
The fall application deadline is May 1, 2026. Find program details and faculty profiles on the Ford School website.
