THE HELLER SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
KNOWLEDGE ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE
HOW CAN WE SOLVE THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP?
HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR EMERGING GLOBAL HEALTH RISKS?
HOW CAN WE CREATE INNOVATIVE LEADERS FOR NONPROFITS?
IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT TAKING ON GOALS AS AMBITIOUS AND CRITICAL AS THESE, YOU WILL BE IN GOOD COMPANY AT THE HELLER SCHOOL. IN EVERY CLASSROOM AND EVERY DEGREE PROGRAM, YOU WILL WORK WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY WHO ARE RELENTLESSLY FOCUSED ON IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SMART SOCIAL POLICIES AND LEADERSHIP IN MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS.
YOU’RE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE ALL PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO SOCIAL JUSTICE, BUT WHO HAVE VASTLY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND DISCIPLINES. THAT NOT ONLY CHANGES HOW YOU THINK — IT CHANGES WHAT YOU THINK IS POSSIBLE. BRIAN SCHON, MBA/MPP’11, ENTREPRENEUR AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
We are different from other policy schools, because we are committed to advancing social justice through actionable ideas. Our faculty members are dedicated — to their students and to their subject matter. They have been on the front lines of change, from advising the White House on health care reform to designing economic development initiatives for major cities. With their guidance, you will learn to evaluate the root causes of complex social problems, determine solutions and implement your strategic plans. You will also be part of a collaborative global community whose members have diverse backgrounds and interests but share a desire to address disparities around the world. No matter which cause you are most committed to, at Heller you will develop the broad knowledge and focused skills to better serve the communities you care deeply about and have a positive impact on society.
MOST OF THE THINGS WORTH DOING IN THE WORLD HAD BEEN DECLARED IMPOSSIBLE BEFORE THEY WERE DONE. LOUIS D. BRANDEIS
MOST OF THE THINGS WORTH DOING IN THE WORLD HAD BEEN DECLARED IMPOSSIBLE BEFORE THEY WERE DONE. LOUIS D. BRANDEIS
BRANDEIS IS OUR HOME AND OUR LEGACY.
The Heller School is part of Brandeis University. Brandeis and Heller share many similarities, including a strong academic reputation. In fact, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Brandeis among the top 35 national universities since the rankings’ inception. But Brandeis has more than just a leading academic reputation. We are just as proud of its distinct history, which parallels Heller’s own commitment to social justice. The university was named after U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, who served as an outspoken
defender of equality. As the first Jewish associate justice of the court, he had a personal understanding of what it means to challenge and surmount the social and professional barriers that result from prejudice and bias. Strategies focused on promoting inclusion and addressing bias have been a key part of the institutional ethos at Brandeis since the university’s founding. The Heller School’s commitment to diversity reflects those same ideals and values.
CHOOSE FROM A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF PROGRAMS GUIDED BY FACULTY WHO ARE LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS.
Your career plans may not be limited to the scope of a single academic track. That is why we offer numerous dual degrees alongside our seven standard degree programs. So, if you want to develop and apply MBA skills or global health policy acumen to your sustainable development work, we have an option that will meet your professional goals. By bringing together programs, we bring together students and faculty who have varied backgrounds and interests. We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences benefit all aspects of our
school, from classroom conversations to community relationships to research initiatives. No matter which program or dual degree you select, you’ll learn from faculty who are informing and empowering change agents. They are as dedicated to social issues as you are — whether they are helping the Mexican government battle the spread of dengue fever or working with the city of Chicago to provide equitable access to healthy neighborhood opportunities for all children.
FAIRNESS, OPENNESS, EQUALITY, REAL-WORLD ENGAGEMENT — A SCHOOL SHOULD EMBODY THOSE QUALITIES THAT IT WANTS TO INSTILL IN ITS STUDENTS. HELLER DOES. JEFF GROSS, MPP’12, PROJECT DIRECTOR, NEW AMERICANS INTEGRATION INSTITUTE, MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE ADVOCACY COALITION
HELLER DEGREE PROGRAMS PHD IN SOCIAL POLICY
Students in Heller’s PhD program do more than just gather data to form new knowledge — they use that knowledge to inform and influence policymakers and practitioners in the field. During the course of the program, students focus on a specific concentration, including: health; behavioral health; children, youth and families; assets and inequalities; and global development and sustainability. MASTER OF PUBLIC POLICY
The MPP program focuses on domestic social policy. MPP students can select a specific policy concentration to develop a deeper understanding of the areas they’re most passionate about, including women’s and gender studies; child, youth and family policy; poverty alleviation; health policy; behavioral health; aging policy and services; and general social policy. All students also gain experience through funded internships. MBA IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT
Heller’s MBA program is for students seeking leadership roles in organizations that create positive, sustainable social change. Thanks to a rigorous AACSBaccredited curriculum and a focus on
experiential learning, students develop the skills needed to make an impact and manage across the nonprofit, public and corporate sectors. MA IN SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (SID)
SID’s mission is to educate professionals who are going to work in the development sector, on issues ranging from natural disasters and conflict to chronic problems like low-quality education and health services. The heart of the program’s curriculum is practice-based learning, because it allows students to back up their opinions with evidence-based knowledge. MS IN GLOBAL HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
MS students understand how health systems are designed and, more specifically, how they can be structured to improve health outcomes for people around the world. The program trains leaders who believe that effective policy is critical to expanding access to health care and ensuring that it is delivered equitably, at the highest quality possible, to any person who needs it. MA IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND COEXISTENCE
The Coex program offers a practical, skillsbased curriculum that provides a toolkit to become a peace-building practitioner either in the U.S. or globally. Its structure consists of one year of classes and then a second year spent in a field practicum. The program also partners with external organizations and agencies, including the Harvard Program on Negotiation.
DUAL AND JOINT DEGREES
MPP and MA in Jewish Professional Leadership MA in Sustainable International Development and MA in Women’s and Gender Studies MPP and MA in Women’s and Gender Studies
WITH HELLER PROGRAMS
MA in Sustainable International Development and MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence MA in Sustainable International Development and MS in Global Health Policy and Management MBA and MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence MBA and MA in Sustainable International Development MBA and MS in Global Health Policy and Management MBA and Master of Public Policy WITH BRANDEIS PROGRAMS
MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence and MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies MBA and MA in Jewish Professional Leadership MBA and MS in Biotechnology
PhD in Social Policy and PhD in Sociology PhD in Social Policy and MA in Women’s and Gender Studies WITH OTHER UNIVERSITIES
MBA and MD from Tufts University School of Medicine MBA and MBS (Master of Biomedical Sciences) from Tufts University School of Medicine MA in Sustainable International Development and JD from Northeastern University School of Law MA in Sustainable International Development and LLM from Northeastern University School of Law MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence and MA in International Law and Human Rights from the University for Peace in Costa Rica
STUDENTS HAVE DONE INTERNSHIPS, FIELDWORK OR PRACTICUMS AT: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES URBAN INSTITUTE NATIONAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION HEIFER INTERNATIONAL MERCY CORPS JOHN SNOW INC. UNDP THE HUNGER PROJECT OXFAM AMERICA THE CARTER CENTER ECOLOGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND MAX WARBURG COURAGE CURRICULUM SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND UNICEF UNITAR VOICES FOR SUDAN MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION ON GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER YOUTH CENTER FOR WOMEN IN POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
APPLY YOUR NEWLY DEVELOPED SKILLS ON THE GROUND, BEFORE GRADUATION. Our programs’ curricula are designed for you to make an impact while you’re still at Heller. Students in the Sustainable International Development program spend their second year in field practicums at leading development organizations around the world, ranging from the U.N. Development Programme and the World Bank to Oxfam and the Aga Khan Foundation, while those in the Conflict Resolution and Coexistence program conduct master’s field projects in global conflict areas.
Domestically, MPP students gain policy experience through funded internships at influential organizations, such as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., qualifying them for high-level policy work upon graduation. Our MBA students advise nonprofit organizations on operational issues through our unique Team Consulting Project and Board Fellows programs. At Heller, you will build a professional network while you build real-world experience.
THE TEAM CONSULTING PROJECT IS LIKE BEING IN A PRESSURE COOKER — WE ARE ADDRESSING REAL ISSUES RELATED TO EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION IN A SHORT TIME, AND IT HAS CREATED AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS ORGANIZATION-WIDE PRACTICES. CARMEN MAIANU, MBA’16
ALUMNI AND FACULTY REGULARLY MEET, STAY IN CONTACT AND BECOME AN ONGOING COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS, COLLEAGUES AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BROADER EFFORTS OF MAKING SOCIAL CHANGE AND ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE. JANET BOGUSLAW, IASP RESEARCHER AND MPP ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
BE PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES YOU AND YOUR SOCIAL CAUSES. You will have many valuable Heller experiences beyond your time in the classroom. Governmental and organizational leaders, from the president of Ghana to the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, deliver lectures here. Or you can connect with peers who share your commitment to specific social issues by joining one of our numerous studentworking groups:
Faculty, staff and students also gather for cultural celebrations and to honor our unique identities and experiences. As a diverse community, we support one another in response to persistent societal ills — be it racial inequity, religious intolerance or bias over sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or socio-economic status — which we also address in our work and in our personal lives.
> BRANDEIS NET IMPACT
(CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY)
> BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY AFRICA FORUM > DIVERSITY WORKING GROUP > EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
WORKING GROUP
> GENDER WORKING GROUP > GLOBAL GOALS WORKING GROUP > GLOBAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP > HELLER CRIMINAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE > HELLERSAVE (SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE) > HELLER STUDENTS OF COLOR > LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP
> LGBTQ WORKING GROUP
We aim to cultivate an environment that champions diversity and inclusion in multiple dimensions, and that combats bias and prejudice on all fronts. As part of that commitment, we constantly work to improve our performance in this essential area — both within the classroom and through the social interactions that occur among our students, faculty and staff.
MISSION AND COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Heller School drives positive social change through research, education and public engagement that inform policies and programs designed to address disparities in well-being and social inclusion in a sustainable way. OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Heller School is a vibrant academic learning community of scholars, students and staff dedicated to creating a welcoming environment that builds and supports respectful dialogue across group and individual differences in every aspect of our work and social interactions. We seek to ensure a safe and inclusive environment in which community members respect and value the perspective and contribution of all others. We are committed to diversity, inclusion and equity in our research
institutes, academic programs, policies and community relationships. The Heller School endorses a broad definition of diversity reflective of differences that include but are not limited to: age, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, culture, economic status and background, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation and identity, religion, political views, academic background and interests, abilities, learning styles and pace, physical appearance and individual personality. It is the responsibility of each and every member of the Heller community to acknowledge the meaningful differences that inform each individual’s identity, and to uphold and defend our shared values as we strive to create a more equitable future for all.
WE’LL SUPPORT YOUR PROFESSIONAL AMBITIONS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER. Heller’s Career Development Center provides a comprehensive array of programs and tools to achieve your professional goals. Services include individualized career planning, group workshops and presentations, all of which cover everything from professional communications to interviewing and salary negotiation. During the academic year, students lead employer-focused treks to New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., and organizations also come to campus for information sharing and networking opportunities. In addition, the Heller Career Development team collaborates
with the larger university on career fairs and other professional events. Many Heller graduates serve as mentors to current students, offering guidance on internships, fellowships and jobs. Thanks to a community of over 3,000 alumni, you’ll have professional connections in every corner of the globe and in the world’s most prestigious and impactful public and private organizations, NGOs and government agencies.
FROM FINDING RELEVANT JOB POSTINGS TO HELPING WITH RÉSUMÉS, INTERVIEWS AND NEGOTIATIONS, THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER EMPOWERS STUDENTS FOR CAREER SUCCESS. IT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ME BOTH WITH SECURING MY PRACTICUM WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND WITH MY POSTGRADUATE CAREER WITH THE U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. CRYSTAL VITAGLIANO, SID’14
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION POLICY DEVELOPMENT RESEARCHER
MERCY CORPS MONITORING AND EVALUATION ASSISTANT
BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SENIOR POLICY RESEARCH ANALYST
A BROAD NETWORK OF ALUMNI THAT MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS FISCAL POLICY ANALYST
NATIONAL QUALITY FORUM SENIOR DIRECTOR
MGH SCHOOL OF NURSING
BRAC RESEARCH FELLOW
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH CONNECTOR HEALTH POLICY ANALYST
CHINA COMMITTEE OF CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
RWANDA GOVERNANCE BOARD
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER
HEALTH SAFETY NET, OFFICE OF MEDICAID SENIOR POLICY ANALYST
AMERICA INDIA FOUNDATION CLINTON FELLOW
ARIADNE LABS PROJECT MANAGER
RESEARCH IS A CORE PART OF THE HELLER IDENTITY. THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION WE GENERATE IS FORMIDABLE, AND IT CONNOTES OUR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH SOCIAL SCIENCE. CINDY THOMAS, PHD’00, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF RESEARCH
HELLER IS A RESEARCH POWERHOUSE. With more than $18 million in grant-funded projects annually, our 10 research centers and institutes are informing policymakers and supporting change agents in the field. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with research staff on projects that are making an impact in a variety of social policy areas. THE SCHNEIDER INSTITUTES FOR HEALTH POLICY (SIHP)
One of the first academically based research entities in the U.S. to focus on federal health policy, SIHP includes the Institute on Healthcare Systems, the Institute for Behavioral Health, and the Institute for Global Health and Development. INSTITUTE ON HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS (IHS)
IHS is dedicated to providing rigorous technical solutions to policymakers and other stakeholders who are striving to improve the quality, efficiency and value of health care systems. INSTITUTE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (IBH)
Focusing on the intersection of health, behavior and systems of care, IBH seeks to determine how these systems can best promote healthier lifestyles and assist individuals to engage in behaviors that lead to better health. INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT (IGHD)
IGHD provides new resources for faculty, researchers and students who share an interest in international health and development. It also seeks to impact policymaking by disseminating knowledge to those driving policy and reform. INSTITUTE ON ASSETS AND SOCIAL POLICY (IASP)
IASP is dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, security and equity for individuals
and families — particularly those left out of the economic mainstream. INSTITUTE FOR CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY POLICY (ICYFP)
ICYFP engages in both quantitative and qualitative research studies of children and families as well as the social policies that directly affect their well-being. CENTER FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES (CYC)
In order to prepare young people for college, work and life, CYC works to improve the quality of education, workforce development and community systems. LURIE INSTITUTE FOR DISABILITY POLICY
The Lurie Institute focuses on improving the lives of people with autism and other disabilities across the lifespan through innovative polices that foster inclusion into the mainstream. Lurie is also home to the Nathan and Toby Starr Center on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, which collaborates with individuals, families, providers and government officials on research and evaluation that advances inclusive disability programs and policies. SILLERMAN CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF PHILANTHROPY
The Sillerman Center draws upon research and practitioner experience to inform and advance social justice philanthropy and educate nextgeneration grant makers who are dedicated to creating a fair and inclusive society. CENTER FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY (CGDS)
An interdisciplinary and multinational group, CGDS advances scholarship and applied research on problems of vulnerability in both developing countries and advanced economies.
LIVING IN WALTHAM AND BOSTON Our neighborhood is a great place to explore — starting with the restaurants. Brandeis and Heller are located just nine miles from Boston in Waltham, Mass. Waltham is a historic city that combines New England charm with a vibrant, international culinary scene. It also offers music — we love the concerts on Waltham Common — an art deco movie theater, parks with numerous walking and bike paths, and an outdoor farmers market. Waltham’s residential neighborhoods offer housing within walking distance of campus, and the Brandeis/Roberts MBTA commuter rail station means you’re just a 20-minute ride from Boston and Cambridge. The Greater Boston area is home to dozens of colleges and universities, providing residents with access to some of the country’s best libraries, museums, lectures and artistic events. As one of the world’s major centers of technology, business, academics and culture, Boston has something for everyone. Waltham is smaller in scale, but the variety of opportunities and community members you will find here is just as diverse.
FALL 2015 HELLER ENROLLMENT
533
STUDENTS ENTERING CLASS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
50%
U.S. STUDENTS OF COLOR
37%
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
45
AVERAGE AGE
30
AGE RANGE
22-50
ADMISSIONS The Heller School seeks students who are dedicated to finding solutions to the world’s most pressing social problems. We recognize — and welcome — that your experience and commitment to social justice may be expressed in many forms, from workplace accomplishments to community involvement and scholarship. We purposely seek a diverse student body that reflects a variety of backgrounds, cultures and nationalities, as well as a range of interests and professional and personal experience.
ADMISSIONS EVENTS
We encourage you to contact the Heller admissions team if you have questions about our programs, the admissions process or the Heller community.
HELLER ADMISSIONS
We offer a variety of events where you can meet faculty, students and admissions staff and learn more about our programs. Campus Visit Days include a class visit and meeting with current students. Our Saturday Open House provides another opportunity to meet faculty and students. We also offer virtual events for those not able to visit. FINANCIAL AID
Funding a graduate degree is among the biggest investments you can make in yourself and your career, and the Heller School is committed to helping you navigate the process. We offer merit-based scholarships and can direct you to information about outside scholarships, student loans and payment plans. 781-736-3820 helleradmissions@brandeis.edu Brandeis University The Heller School for Social Policy and Management 415 South Street, MS 035 Waltham, MA 02453-2728 PHOTOGRAPHY: FARRAH KASHFIPOUR, MIKE LOVETT, BETHANY ROMANO AND KEN SCHLES OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS ©2016 BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY G140
THE HELLER COMMUNITY BLENDS THE PASSIONS OF REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES WITH AN INTELLECTUAL ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE TRY TO UNDERSTAND AND SOLVE SOME OF AMERICA’S AND THE WORLD’S GREATEST SOCIAL POLICY PROBLEMS. RAJESH SAMPATH, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE SID PROGRAM
HELLER.BRANDEIS.EDU