O’Neill School + McNair Scholars Partnership

Expand your career options with a top-ranked master’s degree

The top-ranked O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University is proud to partner with McNair Scholars to offer benefits for qualified students who are interested in pursuing a master's degree.

Through the O'Neill School + McNair Scholars partnership, admitted students are awarded a 25% fellowship benefit toward eligible O'Neill master's programs, in addition to an application fee waiver. 

O’Neill School master’s programs prepare you with the skills and real-world experience needed to lead change and make a meaningful impact.

75% of O’Neill master’s students receive funding packages of at least 25%

Competitive funding packages are available to assist in making our top-ranked school affordable.

Take the first step

You may qualify for a 25% fellowship and application fee waiver.

Apply now

Find the degree that’s right for you

One-year degrees

The O’Neill School, along with partner schools, offers degree pathways that allow you to maximize your time and earn your master’s degree in as little as one year. Expand your career options and unlock greater earning potential with specialized skills that set you apart in the job market.

  • Master of Environmental Sustainability (MES)
  • Master of International Affairs (MIA)
  • Master of Science in Healthcare Management (MSHM)

Two-year degrees

We also offer rigorous and intensive 45-48 credit master’s degrees that require two years to complete, including our top-ranked Master of Public Affairs.

These nationally recognized programs are designed to help you transform your passion into a career that changes the world.

  • Master of Public Affairs (MPA)
  • Master of Public Policy (MPP)
  • Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES)
  • Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MAAA)

Online degrees

O’Neill Online programs cater to experienced professionals who need added flexibility as they balance work and family life. We believe you should be able to enhance your career virtually through the same nationally ranked programs that are offered on campus.

  • Master of Public Affairs (MPA)
  • Master of Environmental Sustainability (MES)
  • Master of Science in Healthcare Management (MSHM)
  • Graduate Certificates
US News and World Report ranking

Top-ranked curriculum

O’Neill is home to one of the nation’s top Master of Public Affairs programs.

  • #1 MPA among public universities
  • #2 MPA among public and private universities  
  • #1 Environmental Policy & Management 
  • #1 Nonprofit Management 
  • #1 Public Finance & Budgeting 
  • #1 Public Management & Leadership  
  • #4 Health Policy & Management  
  • #5 Public Policy Analysis  
  • #7 Local Government Management  
  • #10 Social Policy  
  • #20 Urban Policy  

—U.S. News and World Report, 2025–26

99%of reporting 2023-24 master's students went into employment, service, military, or continuing education upon receiving their degree

Fellowship eligibility requirements

To receive an O’Neill School + McNair Scholars fellowship, you must have completed an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and meet O’Neill School admissions requirements:

  • Strong academic performance
  • Demonstrated commitment to service
  • A record of involvement and leadership on campus or in your community
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Resume
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We love hiring O’Neill students and O’Neill alums because of their versatility. They bring that background, that policy understanding, that they’re able to immediately apply when they hit the ground.

—Michael Jefferson, MPA-MSES’19, Principal Advisory, Federal & Regulatory Affairs, MISO