David VanSlyke, Dean
200 Eggers Hall
www.maxwell.syr.edu/

About the School

David VanSlyke, Dean
200 Eggers Hall

The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs was established in 1924 to teach citizenship and develop leaders with both strong social science backgrounds and the practical skills required for public service. Today the School is the home to six social science disciplines, interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs and graduate professional programs that train leaders for diverse careers here and abroad.

With its 160 faculty members, 95 staff, 750 graduate students and 1,800 undergraduate majors, Maxwell produces a significant amount of new knowledge and educates students to pursue careers in the public and private sectors, including higher education.

For its efforts, Maxwell programs rank highly among their peers because the School attracts talented faculty and students, produces high quality scholarship, and develops already able students into eminent thinkers, analysts and leaders.

For a complete listing of faculty associated with the Maxwell School, see the Faculty  section of this catalog.

Executive Education

Through its executive education program, Maxwell offers several executive degrees, certificates of advanced study, and training programs for mid-career professionals from across the globe.  Participants study here from a few weeks or more than a year. Maxwell hosts Humphrey Fellows, Edward R. Murrow Fellows and provides training programs for a wide array of U.S. based and international NGOs, public sector organizations and agencies, governments and universities.

Study Abroad

Most students pursuing the International Relations, BA  degree take advantage of the Global Program offerings. Many students choose to find internships abroad and may choose to study at one of several overseas centers.

Undergraduate Majors

Maxwell is home to the social sciences. Its faculty members teach lower-division survey courses in each of the social science disciplines, offer interdisciplinary courses in social sciences, and provide an array of majors and minors in social science areas. Undergraduate degrees are offered in anthropology, economics, geography, history, international relations, political science, policy studies, and sociology.

Students may take multiple majors within the social sciences or pursue additional majors in areas outside of the Maxwell School. Many of our undergraduate programs offer distinction in their majors. Students who graduate with distinction typically are selected for the distinction, conduct research with one or more faculty members, and write a scholarly paper based on their research.