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Lawn Aerial

Academic Programs

Discover Your Policy Path

At Batten, we're defining a new model of public policy education. Of the 250-plus schools of public policy and administration in the U.S., the Batten School has the distinction of being the only one explicitly committed to teaching leadership — how it works, why context matters in decision-making and which actions lead to tangible results. Our programs inspire students to act vigorously, effectively and ethically on behalf of the common good.

Academic Offerings


"I can think of no better preparation for the work I’m doing now than the Batten curriculum. My ability to work calmly and efficiently is a direct result of the training I received at Batten."

Connor Maxwell (MPP ‘17)
Research Associate, Center for American Progress
Chou in class

From Rigor to Research

Our dedicated faculty have paved the way for the Batten School to become a university-wide asset, facilitating research, collaboration, and meaningful exchanges throughout UVA.

Students reading the newspaper

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your questions about our academic offerings, application process, how to connect with our team and more.

Michael Russell

Alum in Action: Michael Russell (BA '16)

The skills Russell obtained at Batten served him well while interviewing with senior leadership of the National Basketball Association. Now, as an associate in their Global Partnerships Department, he finds creative ways to integrate other organizations within their business.