About

NASPAA Accredited: The Commission on Peer Review and Education

The George Washington University's Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration (TSPPPA) prepares hundreds of graduate students each year for futures in public policy, public administration, environmental and sustainability policy and much more. Founded in 2003, TSPPPA is part of GW's Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and serves as a focal point for public affairs education, research and public service at the university.

TSPPPA ranks among the top public service programs in the world, with some of the brightest minds in the public affairs field among our faculty. Located just a few blocks west of the White House and with a diverse network of alumni around the world, the Trachtenberg School offers a superior education for students seeking careers with meaning, purpose and success.

The GW Trachtenberg School's Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) are accredited through NASPAA, the global standard in public service education.

Accreditation and Statistics

Get to Know TSPPPA

A man in a suit stands at a podium on stage addressing a crowd, with banquet tables and American flags decorating the room

A group of speakers on stage in chairs talking with GW and Regulatory Studies Center signage in the background

Stephen Joel Trachtenberg speaking at a podium decorated with a George Washington University sign

Three TSPPPA faculty members on stage next to an American flag clapping and presenting an award to an awardee

A group of TSPPPA students standing in a line inside a GW building and smiling at the camera

Mission and Values

Advisory and Emeritus Councils

TSPPPA's 2025-2026 rankings by U.S. News and World Report:

Global Policy: 6
Homeland Security and Emergency Management: 9
Public Management and Leadership: 9
Public Finance and Budgeting: 13

Overall Public Affairs: 16
Public Policy Analysis: 23
Non-Profit Management: 17
Social Policy: 16

Policy Perspectives Journal

The Policy Perspectives journal, blog and GW WonkCast are student-produced media providing opportunities for students and alumni to publish and discuss research that is based on their studies and to offer their perspectives on public policy and administration. This is just one of the mechanisms in TSPPPA for students to develop and demonstrate their leadership, management and communication abilities.

Visit the Policy Perspectives Website

"The Trachtenberg School, with its strong focus on rigorous academic research and professional development, transformed me into a more reflective nonprofit practitioner and better prepared me for my career."

Thomas Rachko
MPA '20