Student life

Small community, big resources. Active and engaged.

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The Ford School community

From the day you enroll, you’re part of a great community—close-knit, engaged, and active while in school, and well-connected, involved, and committed long after graduation.

With approximately 110 MPP students, 25 MPA students, 6 PhD students, and 80 undergraduate students entering each year, the Ford School offers tremendous opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and participation.

The Ford School's combination of core courses, seminar-style classes, and group assignments creates close relationships among students and faculty. Regular luncheon meetings and special presentations draw people together for discussion of pressing policy challenges.

A wide range of student-led activities creates a lively, energetic, and diverse environment--from basketball tournaments to election-night watching parties to lecture series. In addition, students regularly take advantage of the numerous opportunities available to all members of the University of Michigan community.

Graduate students

140

enter each year, on average, across all master's and doctoral programs

Undergraduates

105

enter each year, on average, across the major and minor

The University provides a variety of housing accommodations for graduate students; these accommodations can be obtained with or without board. Graduate students may apply to be resident advisers or directors in the undergraduate residence halls. Both positions pay room and board and directors receive an additional stipend. Family housing is also available through the University.

Student-led organizations are an integral part of Ford School community life, student-led organizations like the Domestic Policy Corps, the International Policy Students Association, Out in Public, and the Charity Auction Committee join students with shared interests, lead school-wide public service initiatives, host speakers, and provide numerous opportunities for students to act, serve, and lead.

The University Health Service clinics provide general health services for University students. In addition, the University Medical Center maintains a number of specialty clinics, such as eye care, allergy clinics, obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics. UHS offers a variety of helpful mental health services. Inexpensive dental work is also available through the Dental School Clinic.