Veterans and current military service members are some of the most impactful, mission-driven contributors to our society today. These individuals make significant sacrifices in an effort to protect our nation, freedom, and rights — working to make the world a better place.
Current and former military service members are ultimately in the business of public service — improving lives with a service-oriented mindset, strategic leadership experience, and an unparalleled work ethic.
But what about veterans and military service members who want to continue a career in public service? What next steps can these individuals take to continue serving and improving lives?
The solution? A Master of Public Administration — a practical graduate degree for those with an idealistic mindset in a volatile world climate.
Keep reading to learn why Cornell University is a strategic, valuable choice for both veterans and current military service members who are looking to continue a career that has meaning and direction.
A Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a rigorous, professional graduate degree for mission-focused professionals who want to pursue a career in public affairs. Equipped with an MPA, these professionals are equipped to address pressing — even urgent — public policy issues including (but certainly not limited to):
No matter what policy issue you are passionate about, one of the benefits of an MPA is that you will enter the workforce with the marketable skills needed to make a difference.
There is and always will be a critical need for skilled, driven public administration professionals who can use their knowledge and skills to enact tangible change in the world. Whatever you are passionate about — be it abortion rights, food insecurity, infrastructure policy, or countless other public affairs issues — an MPA degree will prepare you to impact change.
For former and current military servicemen in particular, the option to continue a career in public service is an opportunity that many do not want to pass up. After years of working in military service and developing valuable character qualities like resilience and integrity, many choose to pursue a formal education that will prepare them for a career in a different kind of service work — public service.
In other words, the challenges that military personnel regularly face provide excellent context for similar challenges encountered in the public sector — making the MPA an incredible fit for future leaders in public affairs.
Because an MPA program builds upon the core values that the military upholds, professionals with military service experience are well suited to pursue an MPA and ultimately, secure a career in public service and public policy.
Jobs for MPA graduates in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, include roles, such as:
MPA graduates can also run for office and pursue critical roles at the local, state, and federal level.
As a veteran or current military member, you are uniquely qualified for specific financial aid options that will help you offset the cost of obtaining the Master of Public Administration at Cornell University.
Here is what you need to know about paying for Cornell’s MPA program — whether you are able to use the GI bill or need to take advantage of other funding options.
Brooks School is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program ($10,000), which is then matched by the VA for any student who qualifies for full post 9/11 GI Bill benefits (instead of a fixed number of funded students).
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits for those who have served on active duty for 90 or more days after Sept. 10, 2001. In addition, the GI Bill issues a monthly housing allowance payable to the student from the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate based on the zip code where a majority of classes are taken. A yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 is also paid proportionately based on enrollment.
The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the law that created the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which is available for Institutions of Higher Learning in the U.S. The program allows approved institutions of higher learning and the VA to partially or fully fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the established thresholds under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (VA, 2019).
The amount of benefits payable depends on how much active duty time a service member has, a breakdown of which can be seen below:
| Time on Active Duty (Including Reserve and Guard) |
Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable |
| At least 36 months | 100% |
| At lease 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability | 100% |
| 30 months to 36 months | 90% |
| 24 months to 30 months | 80% |
| 18 months to 24 months | 70% |
| 12 months to 18 months | 60% |
| 6 months to 12 months | 50% |
| 90 days to 6 months | 40% |
For veterans, reservists, and active duty members who do not qualify for 100% GI Bill benefits, there are myriad funding options available. Many of these opportunities are available on the basis of branch served, location, or program of study.
From scholarships to grants, from tuition assistance to interest-free loans, there are dozens of financial aid options available to qualified veterans, active duty service members, and in some cases, even military spouses and/or children.
Veteran education benefits are available to eligible full or part-time Cornell students or employees who are active duty or reserve military personnel, veterans, or in some cases, the child or spouse of a veteran. To determine eligibility, complete the online Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990).
Visit our graduate resource page for more information about Cornell’s resources and benefits for veterans; you can also check out our Veterans Benefits FAQ for more information.
Cornell is a university that really values the veteran’s perspective, that understands that they bring different experiences that are only going to enrich not only our classroom environment but the vibrancy of campus writ large. The Cornell ethos is one of selfless service, and when I look back at the history of Cornell, it permeates the entire university’s history, not just our military history.
— Major Edwin Powers, USMC
As New York state’s land-grant mission institution, Cornell University is charged with advancing the lives and livelihoods of the state’s citizens through teaching, research and public service. Our mission as a land-grant university is to break down barriers and is rooted in the belief that education should be open to all qualified students, regardless of class, ethnicity, race, or gender; and must merge practical scientific and technical education with classical studies in history, philosophy, and literature.
Pro Tip: Learn more about how Cornell honors veterans with on-campus memorials.
Many veterans and active service members choose Cornell University for graduate school because of its long history of academic excellence and dedication to producing graduates who go on to make the world a better place.
The MPA program is also attractive to veterans because of its customizable curriculum, hands-on approach to learning, and overall mission to prepare dedicated public servants.
Cornell University is incredibly rich with military history; a legacy of military leaders that spans all the way back to its founding in 1865. Cornell has produced some of the finest military officers our nation has ever seen and, at one point, was one of the finest institutions of higher learning that had a military focus.
Since its inception, Cornell has nurtured its military legacy by supporting active and former military servicemen and making a phenomenal education accessible to qualified professionals who have sacrificed for our country.
New York State Division of Veterans Affairs provides a counselor who can help veterans at Cornell and in the community with state and federal benefits. The Veteran Counselor can also give advice on where to find support, counseling, and guidance on Cornell’s campus.
Cornell is a proud host campus for the Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP). This program offers immersive, academic workshops or “boot camps,” free of charge to enlisted veterans. WSP empowers enlisted military veterans by providing them with a skill bridge that enables a successful transition from the battlefield to the classroom.
The VCNG is a group of staff, faculty, and affiliates who work toward improving the climate for veterans at Cornell. They are a Cornell sponsored employee resource group founded to raise awareness of veteran and military personnel issues, and create a forum for veterans to network with all members of the campus community. The VCNG helps veterans connect with the over 400 veterans and military personnel at Cornell and participate in campus veteran’s events.
Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. The Ithaca chapter actively hosts meetups at gyms, social events, runs, workouts, and community service events.
The Graduate School hosts a Welcome Dinner for graduate and professional school veterans and their families every fall.
The Cornell University Veterans Association (CUVA) was created to support the incredibly diverse community of United States Military veterans enrolled at Cornell University. Their chief mission is to provide a social support network for their unique group of non-traditional students and advocate for the veteran community.
In Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy’s MPA program, the heart of our mission is to produce change-driven, exemplary, and marketable graduates who can enter the workforce ready to secure a career that is going to make a difference.
As such, we place significant emphasis on professional development and career management — before, during, and after your time at Cornell University.
The Office of Career Management — in conjunction with Millie Reed, Assistant Director of the Office of Career Management — is committed to giving you the tools you need to put your MPA degree to work in the competitive job market, whether you’re a current student or a valued alum.
In the Cornell Brooks School MPA program, we will help you assemble an individualized career plan and provide you with the tools you need to succeed, from how to write a compelling resume and cover letter, intentionally network, and conduct yourself during a job interview.
Learn more about the career management and professional development opportunities available through our MPA program; download our guide:
Within the Master of Public Administration program, students may opt to pursue an online graduate certificate or a dual degree program.
Graduate Certificate Programs:
MPA students who want to pair their field of study with another respected graduate degree may choose from the following two options:
In addition to the traditional, resident Master of Public Administration, the Brooks School of Public Policy offers an Executive Master of Public Administration. The EMPA allows students to choose from one of two concentrations:
Here are the steps you need to take to apply to Cornell’s MPA and EMPA programs:
| Residential MPA | Executive MPA |
| Complete online graduate school application | Complete online Graduate School application |
| Submit unofficial copies of your college and university transcripts | Submit unofficial copies of your college and university transcripts |
| Submit resume and three letters of recommendation | Submit resume and two letters of recommendation |
| TOEFL or IELTS scores from international students whom English is not your first language | TOEFL or IELTS scores from international students whom English is not your first language |
| Statement of purpose and an essay | Statement of purpose |
| Online, recorded interview | Live Zoom interview with Executive Director |
When you apply for admissions to Cornell, you should also submit Cornell’s Yellow Ribbon Application immediately. In submitting the Yellow Ribbon application, you are indicating your intent to utilize your Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon eligibility. Cornell offers aid based on financial need.
Note: On the last page of the online application, you can indicate that you are a military service person or veteran to receive an application fee waiver ($105) and deposit waiver.
At Cornell University, we want to be your one-stop shop for getting your questions answered about choosing graduate school at Cornell as a veteran or current servicemen. As such, we encourage you to come equipped with a variety of specific questions to ask. Some of the best questions could include:
My name is Amber Ingwell. I am 30 years old and currently living in Ithaca while I’m obtaining my Master of Public Administration degree at Cornell University.
I grew up in Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a BA in Political Science and Legal Studies.
I first enlisted in 2009 in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in high school with an aspiration to serve and gain experience while taking advantage of generous education benefits to attain my bachelor’s degree. I then joined UW-Madison’s ROTC program when I realized the countless opportunities I would have as an Army officer.
Upon graduation in 2014, I was commissioned as an active-duty aviation officer. I graduated from flight school in 2016 and then spent 3.5 years at Fort Drum, NY. Following that, I spent two years at Fort Bliss, TX as a flight company commander.
I have since moved to Ithaca to pursue my MPA here at Cornell.
I chose the Army since it was the most familiar to me, given my family experiences. After serving as an enlisted soldier for a couple of years, I realized that being an aviator was an attainable and desirable goal.
I have led and supported missions as a Blackhawk pilot in multiple units and have a range of experiences domestically and abroad.
As many people find, the military gave me the confidence and skills to engage in complex, diverse, and high-stakes situations. Many of the experiences and challenges I regularly faced provided excellent context for similar challenges encountered in the public sector.
Also, the core values instilled in military members, like selfless service or integrity, are also foundational to what it means to be an admirable public servant.
Cornell’s MPA was a good fit for me for several reasons. For one, a two-year program seemed like the appropriate choice (over a one-year program) to give me enough time to gain the necessary skills and allow for a true immersion in the breadth of material required to be a professional in the field.
Second, Cornell’s MPA concentration areas give an opportunity to hone your interests and signal some commitment to a specific area.
Third, Cornell’s principle of “any person, any study” also applies to the MPA program. There is great flexibility to shape the degree to your specific needs and interests. The ability to take classes across campus means exposure to many different areas.
Fourth, the program puts emphasis not only on technical skills but also on leadership and management principles. There is ample opportunity to translate leadership skills exercised in the military to future roles in the civilian sector.
Finally, Cornell’s faculty and staff are committed to your success in your field. There are a lot of opportunities for practical experiences to prepare you for future jobs and build a network of colleagues.
Cornell also offered the best academic experience in a beautiful location — Ithaca, NY!
I am planning to pursue the Government, Politics, and Policy concentration.
This will set me up to develop an understanding of political management and processes and has broad application across the public sector. Because this is a broad area, there are opportunities to focus on interests like international relations or policy analysis.
My role as ambassador is to be a voice for military or veteran potential applicants and incoming students and contribute to the community of current student vets and military. We have similar experiences and motivations, and it is good to have someone to reach out to that can provide guidance, recommendations, or reassurance in the transition.
I plan to pursue opportunities that allow me to understand, analyze, and contribute to Army policymaking. Through Cornell’s robust course offerings, professional network, and practical experiences, the goal is to achieve the quantitative and qualitative skills to provide a foundation for meaningful impact.
Do not sell yourself short. Your experiences will serve you well both in the program and as a future leader in public affairs. Also, do not stress if you do not know exactly where you want to go after the program. The flexibility of Cornell’s program allows you to change your mind, explore interests, and obtain excellent foundational knowledge.
You can be confident that the Master of Public Administration offered at the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, an Ivy League MPA program, will be helpful as you pursue a career in the public, nonprofit, or private sectors.
MPA Candidate
Will LaRose is a masters candidate in public administration with a concentration in public and non-profit management. He comes to Cornell after having served four years in the Army, and is currently serving with the New York National Guard while completing his degree. This article was originally published on the Cornell Graduate School website.
MPA Graduate
Mauricio Cortes is a military veteran, a graduate of Cornell University's Master of Public Administration program, and is currently employed at the U.S. Department of State in Washington D.C.
Are you a veteran or current service member looking to continue a career in public service? Are you ready to take on some of the world’s most complex policy challenges? You are in the right place.
At the Ivy League Cornell Brooks School MPA program, we are looking for students of exceptional quality who have the analytical, leadership, and communication skills necessary to succeed in a career serving the public in government, nonprofit, or for-profit sectors.
Take the first step; start building a career that is going to equip you to transform the world.