The School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at the University of Georgia once again ranks among the top-tier Public Affairs Graduate Schools according to U.S. News & World Report. In the 2025 edition, SPIA is ranked fourth (tied) in the nation.
SPIA has consistently ranked among the top-ten public affairs programs for over two decades. Among specialty rankings, SPIA is second in Public Management and Leadership, third in Public Finance and Budgeting, and fifth in Local Government Management.
“Public administration and policy faculty at SPIA are exemplars of the ‘continuous improvement,’ model – continually honing their craft as instructors, mentors, and experts,” remarks Matthew Auer, Dean of the School of Public and International Affairs. “Our students and alumni are solving problems in locations far and wide – enabled by outstanding teachers and dedicated staff.”
Throughout the year, SPIA’s faculty, students, and alumni made headlines with their awards and research:
- Award: Two PhD students named ASPA Founders’ Fellows
- Award: SPIA student named a 2024 Rhodes Scholar
- Award: Ashni Patel named a Schwarzman Scholar
- Award: Dean Matthew Auer selected to the National Academy of Public Administration
- Research: Homelessness leads to more drug, alcohol poisoning deaths
- Research: Hospital regulations spur an increase in breastfeeding but at what cost?
- Research: Study shows need for more female stem leadership
- Research: Did Covid permanently change how county governments get paid?
- Student News: MPA student and Fulbright scholar committed to building an equitable, inclusive, and barrier-less society
- Events: FBI director delivers annual Getzen Lecture on Government Accountability
Additionally, SPIA continues to foster partnerships with local governments through MPA Director Eric Zeemering’s local government practicum Maymester class. For the last three years, MPA students have spent the first month of their summer break helping rural cities perform housing assessments. Students gained firsthand experience collecting and analyzing data while learning about housing policy, state and federal grants, and community development. In collaboration with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, which helped establish the MPA program in 1966, SPIA trains students to be skilled public servants – but also trusted partners – for the communities they serve.
For more SPIA news, visit: https://spia.uga.edu/news-events/news/
