Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management focuses on social justice and social change and intertwines these ideals throughout all of their rigorous and innovative graduate degree programs. “Committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity,” the high-quality faculty focuses their intensive research, not only on management development, but also on social policy and how students can best prepare to create solutions to today’s issues.
Founded in 1959 and named for the first female president of the National Jewish Welfare Board, Florence G. Heller, the Heller School has seen many years of change and numerous successful graduates who know how to respond to, and impact, the changes. Heller School resides in a building that has two sections: Schneider and Heller-Brown. It consists of many types of rooms for classes, computers, studying, breakouts, conferences, offices, and prayer. The Zinner Forum, GIS lab, the library, information boards, the Academic and Student Services Cluster, the café, and the Wallack Terrace are all a part of the facility as well.
Education
The graduate masters degrees available are in Public Policy, Business Management, Conflict Resolution & Coexistence, Sustainable International Development, and Global Health Policy & Management. Optional MBA concentrations are in Healthcare Management; Social Policy & Management; Public Management; Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Management; Child, Youth & Family Services Management; and Sustainable Development. There are also the AACSB-accredited Social Impact MBA and Executive MBA for Physicians. Doctoral students can pursue a Ph.D. in Social Policy. Heller recognizes that graduate studies are a considerable investment for the future career of every student. Therefore, they provide many scholarships and fellowship opportunities such as the Brandeis Alumni Scholarships, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships, the Feldman Graduate Fellowship in Sustainable International Development, National Service Scholarships, the Social Policy and Coexistence Fellowship, many options for international applicants, and much more.
Student Life
The over 500 students at Heller can get involved in a plethora of organizations offered by Brandeis, including the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and the Heller Student Association (HSA). The GSA supports and encourages graduate students through social events, trips, educational activities, research grants, student clubs, networking, and information on current issues and events. The HSA acts as the voice for the students through collaboration, understanding, and input provided to the faculty and staff of Heller. The Career Development Center, through its motto of “careers advancing social justice,” supports students through career coaching, alumni career panels, Employer Treks, connecting students with the 4,300 alumni across the globe, searching for internships, jobs, leadership positions, workshops, and online resources. Heller also has 11 research centers that value scientific rigor, new ideas, sustainability, community, and respect. Centers include the Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, Institute on Assets & Social Policy, Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy, and the Center for Global Development & Sustainability.
Online Programs
The 16-month Executive MBA for Physicians is a hybrid program consisting of coursework that consists of both online and in-person studies. The program is designed for practicing physicians who currently are or desire to be in a management or leadership position. The focus of the program is on improving both the clinical and financial outcomes of healthcare organizations.