World-class university | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

World-class university

Deeply interdisciplinary. Engaged alumni. Outstanding atmosphere.

World-class university in a great college town

A university ranked among the best in the world. A city ranked among America's best college towns. A diverse, dynamic, and friendly community to call your own. Big opportunities to learn from the best, find your path, and grow your career.

 

National rankings

U-M schools and programs are top-ranked (2024 U.S. News and World Report, ranked in 2023).

Law

#9

Business

#12

Education

#3

Social work

#1

Public health

#5

Economics

#12

Alumni network

Wherever you go, Go Blue! 

U-M has more than a half-million living alumni, making it one of the largest alumni networks in the world. And the Ford School's alumni are some of the most active on campus; nearly one-third (800) recently engaged with Ford School students or other alumni activities.
U-M football fans fill Michigan Stadium

Alumni

659,000

Over half a million living U-M alumni. U-M Facts & Figures, 2023

Countries

135

U-M students come from around the world. U-M Facts & Figures, 2023

An interdisciplinary approach

Ford School faculty and students are encouraged to collaborate and learn from others across campus.

Graduate schools and colleges

19

Degree programs

275+

Faculty members

6,700

Student clubs and organizations

1,400

Top 10 programs

110

Classes

15:1

Barry Rabe
Interdisciplinary approach

Faculty experts

Our renowned faculty often hold dual appointments in other departments and bring these perspectives to the classroom.
Faculty experts
Students at Gramlich
Interdisciplinary approach

Dual degree and certificate program

Ford School students may easily combine their policy coursework to fulfill electives, complete a certificate program, or pursue a dual degree program from one of dozens of top-ranked programs, such as law, public health, business, or education. Learn more about the dual degree and certificate programs.
Dual degree and certificate program
Science, Technology, and Public Policy Graduate Certificate Program
Nicole Fernandes
Alumni impact

Nicole Fernandes (MPP/SEAS '08) protects public spaces

Nicole was drawn to the Ford School because of the opportunity to pursue a dual degree in environmental studies and public policy. She believes that bridging interdisciplinary fields, along with the Ford School’s practical and applied curriculum gave her a leg-up in her career and a unique perspective to create positive change.
Read Nicole's story
Ryan Van Wie and Jacob Walden
Student award

Alvin Christian awarded the 2023 Peter Eckstein Prize

Ford School PhD candidate Alvin Christian won the 2023 Peter Eckstein Prize for Interdisciplinary Research. His research paper quantifies how the introduction of restraining orders affected intimate partner violence and women’s labor market and marriage outcomes. The award celebrates the value of interdisciplinary research for analyzing and understanding public policy.
Read more about the 2023 Eckstein award
The STPP certificate is an invaluable complement to a graduate degree at Michigan. Learning how political and cultural factors play into science and technology is an important perspective to have."
Esha Mathew

Esha Mathew (PhD, Cell And Molecular Biology, STPP ‘15)

Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department Of State
Read about the STPP program

Research & Impact

Explore some of our interdisciplinary research centers.