About the school

Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs was established in 1970 after President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson agreed to implement a public affairs school at the University of Texas at Austin to help students learn about real public life challenges.

Also known as LBJ School of Public Affairs, the school has produced many leaders in government, non-profit, and corporate sectors. The names of William Forrester Owens (former Governor of Colorado) and Kathleen Ann Merrigan (food and agriculture expert) stand out in the list of over 4,400 LBJ School of Public Affairs alumni.

Located at Austin, LBJ School of Public Affairs students can experience personal freedom and explore the vibrant film and art scene in the city. Alongside art and culture, the city offers a thriving economy that paves the way for opportunities in the healthcare, engineering and technology industries.

Where is the school located?

Life at Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

University of Texas at Austin’s (UT Austin) large and vibrant campus has something for everyone. With over 52,000 students, of which more than 12,000 are graduate students, UT Austin offers a world of exceptional student experiences.

At the 40-acre UT Austin campus, students can indulge in swimming at the Gregory Gym Aquatics Centre, visit art exhibits at the Blanton Museum, tour the LBJ Presidential Library, and even attend Longhorns games at the Texas Memorial Stadium There are over 1,000 student organisations many of which are exclusively for graduate students. Students can be part of anything from sports and arts to social activism and community service University of Texas at Austin provides a wide range of campus resources. Whether you are interested in the arts and culture scene, entrepreneurship and innovation, health and wellness, or housing and dining options, there are comprehensive resources available to support your academic and personal growth

Additional benefits of studying at Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

University of Texas at Austin-Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs is ranked number 1 public affairs school in Texas by U.S. News & World Report, 2021. Some additional benefits of pursuing a graduate course at LBJ School of Public Affairs include: LBJ features The Impact Factory for service learning, entrepreneurship, and civic innovation The Intelligence Studies Project (ISP) of the university is the premier centre of the study of US Intelligence that incorporates various research and course offerings LBJ School of Public Affairs has a Center for Enterprise & Policy Analytics (CEPA) to train future leaders to solve public problems through the art of policymaking and politics The university recognised student government body Graduate Public Affairs Council (GPAC) serves the entire student community at LBJ School of Public Affairs The Alexander Hamilton Society, an independent organisation promotes progressive debate on current issues and national security and foreign and economic policies among students

Admissions criteria

Applicants who wish to apply for graduate programmes at the University of Texas at Austin must meet certain admission criteria. While international students must follow the same process as US applicants, they will require some additional documents to qualify for a graduate programme. Remember that admission criteria may vary per programme. However, some common application requirements include:

• Complete personal information form
• The applicant’s undergraduate transcripts, which must be translated into English
• A graduate admissions test result GRE, if requested
• Proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL: 79 (iBT))
• Resume/CV, if requested The following are some of the approximate cost factors associated with your admission:

Housing Transportation Books and supplies Personal/miscellaneous

The above mentioned costs are illustrative. Please consult the LBJ School of Public Affairs website for more information.

Job placements

University of Texas at Austin -Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs gives first-class education to students through innovative learning experiences.

The LBJ School mandates a 300-hour policy internship for graduation that allows students to apply their expertise to policy issues in non-profit, private, and public sectors. Over the years, students have interned for Austin Transportation Department, Central Texas Food Bank, City of Austin Public Works, Office of Performance Management, Hudson River Trading and more. The LBJ School's Office of Career Management provides comprehensive support for students' career development, including personalised career planning, workshops, counselling, networking opportunities, and access to job resources and alumni connections, all aimed at preparing students for impactful careers in public policy. LBJ helps its graduates to make a career across sectors around the world. In 2022, students were placed in top companies including Accenture, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte Consulting, Guidehouse Inc., Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and more.