University of Virginia Reviews of Master's in Public Policy

"The Batten School graduate Public Policy program is geared towards “accelerated “ students who are in their 4th year of undergraduate studies. Unfortunately, this leads to a lack of engaging class discussions and ability to share experiences. The Batten school also needs to improve how leadership is taught beyond male, dominated type leadership case studies and projects. I would not recommend this program for post graduate students who want an engaging, open, education on leadership in public policy."

"Buyer Beware: It would be tough to recommend this school for a variety of reasons. First, class sizes are quite large (expect to be in core classes of 40+ students). To go with this, professors rarely read or provide substantive feedback on major course projects. Instead students are left feedback by fellow student TAs and this poses difficulties when many employers request writing samples. Second, experienced and often award winning professors teach few classes at the school. Instead, the school relies on very new faculty, sometimes without terminal degrees in the fields they teach, to convey material to students. Lastly, the school lacks substantive networks to help students secure employment (perhaps expected for a new school) and this is compounded by the fact that professors rarely if ever use their professional connections to help students get jobs. This, combined with ineffectual career services, causes many students to obtain employment far outside of the areas in which they are interested. These factors, combined with location, make the Batten School a poor choice for those truly passionate about pursuing careers in public policy. Instead, prospective students should look for opportunities in the DC area (or other area with policy jobs in which they are interested) to obtain meaningful, year-round internships that can lead to employment while still being fully engaged in the campus community."

"The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy continues to prepare me for statistical and analytical analysis necessary for a career in public service."

"The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy is quickly rising in the ranks of the best public policy graduate schools in the country. The small cohorts encourage bonding between the students and allows for special attention from professors. The workload is demanding but provides us a strong foundation to advance our careers. Although out-of-state tuition is considerably expensive, consider the high quality of the overall program, the University of Virginia, and city of Charlottesville."

"Pros-The history, staff, students, and overall academic environment at the University of Virginia. Cons-Some professors are a bit too indoctrinated in outdated teachings and ideologies. (ie Cold War Anti-Soviet ideologies)"

"There are certainly many pros! I love that the area is a college town and college friendly everywhere you go. The restaurants all around the area sport the UVA logo and there is a ton of school pride. There's so much to do in the area from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello to Downtown and the Corner, to wineries and breweries all within a short drive. In terms of the school itself, every office I have walked into with questions have all greeted me with a smile and have been extremely helpful, sometimes going out of their way to make sure they answer or assist in what you need. The professors all have strong backgrounds in the field and help transition you into the real world and jobs afterwards, which is definitely a plus!"

"Good program that is very into actual policy work, and less so on the theoretical side. Teachers tend to have real world experience which is extremely helpful. The administrative side of the program was a bit confusing and could be streamlined to make it easier to understand why courses are being taught or decisions made."

"The Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy is still in its early stages of development, so the administration is open to student feedback. However, tuition just skyrocketed to make the school competitive with top policy schools, making Batten less accessible. Because the school is still developing, there are some drawbacks and the structure is still changing."

"I am currently in the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy Accelerated Masters Program. This program's curriculum is rigorous, engaging, and comprehensive, and allows you to pursue your specific interests within the field of public policy while also giving you the broad groundwork and tools to succeed with a fantastic set of core classes. After completing this program in May 2016, I feel I will be prepared for, and competitive within, any career path in public policy. The Frank Batten School is a wonderful academic choice that is affordable and encouraging to your intellectual development, with a welcoming and supportive culture."

"Darden is a great school, offering a supportive community, high-quality faculty, and rigorous coursework and career prep to help me make my transition to management consulting."

"The Batten School of Public Policy is only in it's 5th year and is definitely improving every year. I'm lucky to be a part of this program."