UMass Boston John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies

What UMass Boston John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies does

The John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies is a public academic institution operating as one of six colleges and schools within the University of Massachusetts Boston, located at 100 Morrissey Boulevard on the Columbia Point Peninsula in Boston, MA. The school specializes in graduate-level public service education, offering degree programs including the Master of Public Administration (MPA), the Conflict Resolution Master's Program, the Global Governance and Human Security PhD (the first of its kind in the United States), and the award-winning Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Certificate. Its curriculum emphasizes social justice, equity, interdisciplinary policy research, and applied learning approaches, supported by international collaborations in Brazil, China, Ethiopia, and additional countries, and by research partnerships with the Carnegie Foundation and Fulbright Program. The school's value proposition rests on a unique experiential learning cluster co-located on Columbia Point alongside the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, the JFK Presidential Library, and the Massachusetts Archives.

The institution's revenue model derives primarily from tuition and academic program fees, supplemented by ancillary services including on-campus housing (residence halls built in 2018 with capacity for 1,000+ students), summer housing (priced at $1,280-$3,090 per session), dining services, recreation programs (waterfront activities, intramural sports, Division III athletics), and fellowship advising. Distribution occurs through on-campus graduate programs, online and continuing education platforms, and study abroad channels targeting graduate students pursuing careers in government, non-profits, and international organizations. The school is not a venture-backed or publicly traded entity; as a public state institution under the University of Massachusetts System, it is funded through state appropriations, tuition, grants, and private donations. Strategic positioning emphasizes pioneering program differentiation (first-of-its-kind PhD, one-of-the-first Conflict Resolution MA), national rankings (29th among 50 Most Innovative Public Service Schools by BestValueSchools.com, U.S. News & World Report MPA ranking), and award recognition for equity-focused programming.

Name

UMass Boston John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies

Legal name

University of Massachusetts Boston

Website

https://mccormack.umb.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The McCormack Graduate School is a public academic unit within UMass Boston offering graduate degrees in public policy, conflict resolution, global governance, and public administration to graduate students pursuing careers in public service, government, and non-profits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Policy Graduate Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Government-Sponsored Scholarships & Exchange Funding (EDAIAOAF), International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

Keywords

• Public policy education
• Graduate degree programs
• Public administration studies
• Conflict resolution studies
• Global governance studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston, MA

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Programs: The institution generates revenue through tuition from its graduate and undergraduate academic programs including the MPA in Public Administration, Conflict Resolution MA, Global Governance and Human Security PhD, and various certificate programs in public policy, gender and leadership, and related fields.
2. Student Housing: Revenue from on-campus residence halls and summer housing programs. Residence halls built in 2018 accommodate 1,000+ students. Summer housing rates range from $1,280-$1,600 per session for shared rooms with community or in-room bathrooms.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The McCormack Graduate School offers graduate-level academic programs in public policy, public administration, conflict resolution, and global governance, including the MPA, Conflict Resolution MA, Global Governance and Human Security PhD, and the Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Certificate. It complements these academic offerings with student services such as on-campus housing, dining, recreation, and fellowship advising, with research supported by Carnegie and Fulbright and international collaborations in Brazil, China, and Ethiopia.

Product overview

The John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies is one of six colleges and schools within UMass Boston, offering a unified academic portfolio centered on public service education. Its core products are graduate degree programs (Conflict Resolution MA, Public Administration MPA, Global Governance and Human Security PhD) and the Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Certificate. These academic programs are complemented by student life services including on-campus housing, dining, recreation (athletics, intramurals, waterfront activities), and fellowship advising. The school is positioned as a nationally recognized leader in public service education dedicated to social justice and equity, with international collaborations and entrepreneurial research centers focused on aging, peace, sustainability, and social policy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CRHSGG Department: Academic department focusing on Conflict Resolution, Human Security & Governance
• PPPA Department
• Global Governance and Human Security PhD Program
• Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Certificate
• Conflict Resolution Master's Program

Products and services

• Conflict Resolution Master's Program A master's degree program in conflict resolution and dispute resolution, one of the first in the field of dispute resolution graduate education. Designed for graduate students preparing for careers in mediation, negotiation, and conflict management in public, private, and non-profit settings.
• Public Administration (MPA) Master of Public Administration program focused on public service leadership and policy execution. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among its Best Graduate Schools. Designed for graduate students pursuing careers in government, public agencies, and non-profit organizations.
• Global Governance and Human Security PhD Program Doctoral program focused on global governance structures and human security studies. The first of its kind in the U.S. Designed for graduate students pursuing research and academic careers in global governance and human security.
• Gender, Leadership & Public Policy Certificate Award-winning certificate program in Gender, Leadership & Public Policy. Recognized for innovation and progress toward equity by the University Continuing Education Association and the American Association of University Women. Designed for graduate students and professionals seeking specialized credentials in gender, leadership, and public policy.
• On-Campus Housing Modern on-campus residence halls built in 2018 offering ocean views, located at Boston Harbor with free shuttle access to public transit. Room options include singles, doubles, triples, and quads. Accommodates 1,000+ students. Targeted at UMass Boston students.
• Dining Services On-campus dining options including the Dining Commons, UMarket, Campus Center Food Court, Beacon Café, Dunkin' Donuts, and ISC Café. Available with residential and commuter meal plans. Targeted at UMass Boston students.
• Student Organizations & Clubs Over 100 student groups and organizations including student government, cultural associations, intramural sports, and special interest clubs, accessible through the UMBeInvolved platform. Targeted at UMass Boston students seeking peer networking and engagement.
• Campus Recreation Campus recreation offerings including 18 Division III athletic teams, intramural sports, the Beacon Fitness Center, Clark Gym ice rink, and waterfront recreation including kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing at Fox Point Dock. Targeted at UMass Boston students, faculty, and staff.
• Fellowships Advising Office supporting UMass Boston students and alumni in applying for external scholarships and fellowships for research, graduate study, teaching, and professional development, including Fulbright, Gates-Cambridge, Rhodes, and Boren awards. Targeted at UMass Boston students and alumni.
• Summer Housing Program Seasonal housing option available June 1 - August 15 for students taking summer classes, interns, or those seeking short-term stays, with shared rooms featuring in-room or community bathrooms. Summer housing rates range from $1,280-$1,600 per session for shared rooms. Targeted at UMass Boston students and summer interns.
• Waterfront Recreation Recreational water activities at Fox Point Dock including 12 single and 8 double sea kayaks, 6 stand-up paddleboards, and 4 rowboats. Free for UMass Boston students; season passes available for faculty, staff, and community. Season passes priced at $200 for non-members, $50 for current recreation members, and $15 day passes for guests.
• Intramural Sports Programming Sports programming open to students, faculty, and staff including soccer, basketball, wiffleball, and pickleball, registered through the Fusion Play mobile app starting Spring 2026. Targeted at UMass Boston students, faculty, and staff.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked 29th among 50 Most Innovative Public Service Schools in the United States by BestValueSchools.com

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. SenatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMass Boston shares the Columbia Point Peninsula with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, which provides students access to senate simulations and allows them to act as legislators for a day in the institute's full-scale reproduction of the U.S. Senate Chamber. This partnership provides unique experiential learning opportunities for public policy students.
• John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMass Boston shares the Columbia Point Peninsula with the JFK Library, providing proximity and potential research collaborations for students studying American political history, public policy, and presidential studies.
• Massachusetts ArchivesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMass Boston shares the Columbia Point Peninsula with the Massachusetts Archives, providing research access for students and faculty in history, public policy, and related fields.
• Carnegie FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch supported by the Carnegie Foundation, one of the world's most prestigious research organizations, providing credibility and funding for the school's academic research initiatives in public policy and social justice.
• Fulbright ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch supported by Fulbright fellowships, enabling faculty and students to conduct international research and academic exchanges. The school supports students in applying for Fulbright awards for graduate study, research, and English teaching assistant positions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LBJ School of Public Affairs (UT Austin): Flagship public university policy school with MPA, MPP, and PhD programs and a strong public-service/social-equity mission, parallel to McCormack's equity-focused positioning.
• Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy: Georgetown's policy school offers MPA and policy certificates with strong international and governance focus. Closely aligned with McCormack's MPA, Global Governance, and Conflict Resolution positioning.
• Brown University Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs: Offers MPA and PhD programs in international affairs and public policy with strong interdisciplinary and applied learning components — directly comparable to McCormack's interdisciplinary policy model.
• University of Maryland School of Public Policy: Public university policy school offering MPA, MPP, and PhD programs with comparable focus areas in governance, international security, and public management — directly competing for in-region and national applicants.
• George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy: Urban, policy-focused graduate school offering MPA and policy certificates. Strong government and international affairs adjacency in Washington, D.C., making it a direct competitor for McCormack applicants.

Broad incumbents

• Harvard Kennedy School: The dominant global brand in public policy graduate education. Comparable as a direct competitor for MPA/MPP applicants and policy-focused faculty, but materially larger and more established than the McCormack School.
• Princeton School of Public and International Affairs: Elite policy school offering MPA and PhD programs in governance and international affairs. Highly comparable in program mix (MPA, PhD, policy certificates) and competes for the same applicant pool.
• Tufts University Fletcher School: Premier graduate-only school focused on international affairs and diplomacy. Comparable in global governance and human security subject matter and competes for the same internationally minded applicants.

Regional players

• Suffolk University College of Arts and Sciences (Public Policy): Boston-based institution offering graduate programs in public administration and policy. Comparable regionally and competes for the same Boston-area applicant pool, though with a different brand tier.
• Boston University Metropolitan College (Public Policy): Offers graduate certificates and degrees in public policy and administration in the Boston market. Comparable as a regional competitor for working professionals and continuing education students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/UMB_rec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/umassboston
• Facebookfacebook.com/umassboston
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/john-w-mccormack-graduate-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/umassboston
• TikToktiktok.com/@umassboston

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UMass Boston John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies