Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs

What Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs does

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs is a degree-granting academic unit within the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the first and only school of public policy and public affairs at a public university in Tennessee. Originally established in 2003 as the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy through a Congressionally-funded endowment, it was restructured into a school on July 1, 2023. The institution offers Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Administration (MPA), dual JD-MPP and JD-MPA degrees, undergraduate degrees in public affairs (launched Fall 2024), and undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. The portfolio is anchored by three organizational pillars: the Center for Energy, Transportation and Environmental Policy; the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs; and the Institute of American Civics.

The school's core programmatic technology consists of structured academic curricula combined with experiential learning components including the Washington Fellows Program (placing students in Washington D.C. policy roles), Congressional Internships, the Japan Ambassadors study abroad program, the Baker Living & Learning Community, and the Baker Ambassadors outreach program. Co-curricular intellectual programming includes the "You Might Be Right" podcast hosted by former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam, now in its eighth season, and public forums such as the Southeast Energy Policy Forum. The school is housed in a 51,000 square foot facility on Cumberland Avenue and has grown its faculty by 19 members across 2024-2025.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: tuition from degree and certificate programs (governed by UT Knoxville's standard tuition structure), federal and state grants (notably a $2M+ award from the U.S. Department of Education to the Institute of American Civics), philanthropic donations through the Baker Council leadership giving society and the Baker School Fund, and event-based revenue from public forums and lectures. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, leveraging student ambassadors, public lectures, podcasts, and alumni engagement to recruit students and donors. Customer segments include undergraduate and graduate students (136 enrolled across programs), K-12 educators through the Tennessee Civics Academy, policy professionals, and the Tennessee general public.

Name

Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs

Legal name

Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs

Website

https://baker.utk.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs is a degree-granting academic unit at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the only public-university school of public policy in Tennessee, serving undergraduate and graduate students, K-12 educators, and the general public through degree programs, research centers, and civic education initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Programs: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate degree programs including Master's in Public Policy, Master's in Public Administration, and certificate programs. The school offers dual JD-MPP and JD-MPA degrees.
2. Grants and Research Funding: Federal and state grants including $2 million from U.S. Department of Education to Institute of American Civics, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission grants, and other research funding.
3. Philanthropic Donations: Donations through Baker Council leadership giving society, Baker School Fund, endowment contributions, and planned giving. The school has giving societies recognizing supporters.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue from public events, forums, and programs including the Southeast Energy Policy Forum and other policy discussions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Baker School is an academic institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and experiential learning in public policy and public affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. It houses two policy research centers (Energy, Transportation and Environmental Policy; National Security and Foreign Affairs), the Institute of American Civics, and co-curricular programs including Washington fellowships, Congressional internships, the Japan Ambassadors program, and the You Might Be Right podcast.

Product overview

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs is an academic institution offering degree programs, certificates, and experiential learning opportunities. The portfolio includes undergraduate and graduate academic programs (Public Affairs degree), specialized certificate programs, research centers (Center for Energy, Transportation and Environmental Policy; Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs), the Institute of American Civics, and co-curricular programs including the You Might Be Right podcast, Washington Fellows internship program, Congressional Internship Program, Japan Ambassadors program, and Baker Council donor society. The school transitioned from the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy in July 2023, with undergraduate degrees launching in fall 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Public Affairs Degree Programs Undergraduate degree programs in public affairs with minors and certificates, designed to prepare students for public service careers; first undergraduate cohort launched fall 2024.
• Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program Graduate degree program providing advanced training in policy analysis, evaluation, and leadership for careers in government and the public sector.
• Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program Graduate degree program in public administration offered on campus and online, preparing students for management and leadership roles in the public sector.
• Dual JD-MPP and JD-MPA Degree Programs Joint degree pathways pairing the Juris Doctor with the MPP or MPA for students pursuing law-plus-policy careers.
• Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Programs Focused sets of courses that allow students to develop expertise in a specific policy topic, completed alongside a degree or as a stand-alone credential.
• Center for Energy, Transportation and Environmental Policy

Quantifiable outcome

• Record 41 students placed in Washington D.C. policy internships
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BattellecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Battelle supports the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs' work to inspire next generation national security leaders. Eric Keels, Interim Director of NSFA, collaborates with Battelle on workforce development initiatives.
• U.S. Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Awarded over $2 million to the Institute of American Civics to support civic education initiatives, teacher training programs, and K-12 outreach across Tennessee.
• Japan-United States Friendship CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025The Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs received a grant from the Japan-United States Friendship Commission to host a Japan-U.S. Diplomacy Academy in Knoxville in spring, continuing Senator Baker's legacy as former U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
• Regions Foundation of TennesseeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2025Provided support for teachers attending the Tennessee Civics Academy, a professional development workshop for high school educators.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2024Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Tennessee and UT-Battelle (operator of ORNL) strengthens collaboration. Baker School Professor Krista Wiegand joined ORNL Associate Laboratory Director Moe Khaleel for ceremonial signing. Partnership facilitates research collaboration between the school and national laboratory.
• Tennessee State MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting the Tennessee Civics Academy and civic education initiatives.
• Tennessee History DayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborates with the Institute of American Civics for annual Tennessee History Day Competition, with special awards for constitutional liberties projects.
• Sphere Education InitiativesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting the Tennessee Civics Academy professional development workshop.
• iCivicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting the Tennessee Civics Academy professional development workshop.
• Youth in GovernmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting the Tennessee Civics Academy and related civic education programs.
• University of Tennessee SystemcoreOthersThe Baker School is the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.
• Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Krista Wiegand conducted Fulbright Specialist work at DMMMSU in the Philippines, engaging over 400 faculty, administrators, students, and community leaders. Partnership is shaping future collaborations between UT and Philippine institutions in emergency management, agriculture, and nuclear engineering.
• Baker School Board of AdvisorscoreOthersDistinguished advisory board including Jim Haslam II (Chairman), Dr. Marianne Wanamaker (Dean), Cynthia Baker, Darek Baker, Patrick Butler, Dr. Jimmy Cheek, David Colquitt, Bob Corker, Ambassador AB Culvahouse, Shuwanza Goff, David Golden, Thomas Griscom, Dr. Susan Hubbard, Heath Shuler, Don Stansberry Jr., Liz Stowers, and John Tolsma.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sanford School of Public Policy: Duke University's Sanford School offers MPP and public policy degrees with strong bipartisan, governance-focused branding similar to Baker's Senator Baker legacy. Comparable mission around applied policy problem-solving and civil governance, though at a private university with larger resources.
• LBJ School of Public Affairs: The LBJ School at the University of Texas at Austin is a flagship public university public affairs school offering MPP, MPA, and dual degrees with deep state-level political connections. Highly comparable to Baker as a state flagship-based public policy school competing for similar in-region applicants and policy employer pipelines.
• Bush School of Government and Public Service: Texas A&M's Bush School is a state flagship public policy school named after a president with strong identity branding paralleling Baker School's Senator Baker legacy. Offers similar MPP/MPA programs with a similar combination of applied policy research and public service mission.
• O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs: Indiana University's O'Neill School is one of the largest public university public affairs schools offering MPA, MPP, and environmental policy concentrations. Comparable scale and structure to a more mature version of what Baker aspires to become at a public flagship.
• Humphrey School of Public Affairs: University of Minnesota's Humphrey School is a public university public affairs school offering MPP, MPA, and certificates with similar center-based research structures (energy, global policy). Operates as a public university policy school serving a single state with comparable student scale and program portfolio.
• Evans School of Public Policy and Governance: University of Washington's Evans School is a public university public policy school offering MPA, MPP, and executive programs with center-based research structure. Comparable state-level flagship positioning in the Pacific Northwest, paralleling Baker's position in Tennessee.
• Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration: George Washington University's Trachtenberg School offers MPA, MPP, and policy degrees with strong Washington D.C. placement orientation. While at a private university, it competes with Baker for federal policy placement and offers a comparable focus on government career preparation.
• School of Public Policy (University of Maryland): University of Maryland's School of Public Policy is a recently established (2014 conversion) public university public policy school, offering a useful comparison point for Baker as a recently transformed school from center to school status navigating the same growth trajectory.

Broad incumbents

• McCourt School of Public Policy: Georgetown's McCourt School is a well-established public policy school offering MPP and policy analytics degrees. While at a private university, it competes directly with Baker for national applicants and policy employer recruitment, representing a scaled incumbent in the same space.
• Price School of Public Policy: USC Sol Price School of Public Policy offers MPP, MPA, and online policy degrees with significantly larger scale than Baker. Its online programs especially compete with Baker's nascent MPA Online offering for working professionals nationwide.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UTBakerSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/UTBakerSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/baker-school-utk
• Instagraminstagram.com/utbakerschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs