Fels Institute of Government
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| Fels Institute of Government | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fels Institute of Government |
| Established | 1937 |
| Type | Public policy school |
| Parent | University of Pennsylvania |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Country | United States |
Fels Institute of Government is a public affairs school at the University of Pennsylvania offering professional graduate education in public administration, public policy, and nonprofit leadership. Founded in 1937 with an emphasis on practical training for public service, the institute connects students to municipal, state, and federal institutions such as the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and agencies in Washington, D.C.. It maintains partnerships with think tanks, civic organizations, and foundations including the Brookings Institution, the Urban Institute, and the Ford Foundation to provide internships, fellowships, and research opportunities.
History
The institute was established through a bequest by Samuel S. Fels and evolved amid New Deal-era reforms associated with the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the Works Progress Administration, and reform movements linked to the Progressive Era. Early curricula reflected debates shaped by figures like Herbert Hoover, Wendell Willkie, and scholars from the Harvard Kennedy School and Princeton University. During the postwar period the institute engaged with federal programs influenced by the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and civil service reforms paralleling initiatives at the Civil Service Commission (United States). In the late 20th century it expanded ties to urban policy debates involving the Kerner Commission, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and municipal experiments in cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Programs and Degrees
Fels offers professional degrees including a Master of Public Administration affiliated with the Wharton School, joint degrees with the Penn Law School and the School of Social Policy & Practice (University of Pennsylvania), and certificate programs for midcareer professionals from institutions like the International City/County Management Association and the American Society for Public Administration. Coursework covers practical management topics drawing on case studies from the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, and incorporates training in budgeting, ethics, and urban policy influenced by analyses from the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute.
Research and Policy Centers
The institute hosts research and policy centers that collaborate with external partners such as the Annenberg Public Policy Center, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Kaufmann Foundation. Projects have addressed fiscal policy issues examined by the Congressional Budget Office, regulatory reform topics connected to the Office of Management and Budget, and civic engagement initiatives resembling work by Common Cause and the League of Women Voters. Research affiliations extend to regional collaborations involving the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and national networks including the Public Policy and International Affairs Program.
Faculty and Leadership
Faculty and leadership have included scholars and practitioners with backgrounds at institutions like the U.S. Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Reserve Board. Visiting professors and lecturers have come from the Brookings Institution, Harvard Kennedy School, Columbia University, and the London School of Economics, while advisory boards have featured former officials from the White House, the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and the U.S. Congress. Leadership trends reflect administrative models found at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.
Student Life and Admissions
Students participate in internships with municipal offices including the Mayor of Philadelphia's office, placements with federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, and fellowships at organizations like the Rockefeller Foundation and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Student organizations mirror those at peer institutions, collaborating with chapters of Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Federation of Democratic Women, and networks connected to the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. Admissions emphasize prior public service experience similar to criteria used by the Presidential Management Fellows Program and competitive programs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Notable Alumni and Impact
Alumni have held leadership roles across levels of government, nonprofit organizations, and private sector consultancies, including positions in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the United States Senate, city administrations in Philadelphia and Baltimore, and executive posts at foundations like the Gates Foundation and the Annenberg Foundation. Graduates have influenced policy areas addressed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Education, and municipal housing authorities, and have been active in civic reform movements akin to those led by the Sunlight Foundation and ExpectMore..
Facilities and Location
The institute is located on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, proximate to institutions such as Pennsylvania Hospital, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and regional government centers including City Hall (Philadelphia). Facilities include seminar rooms, case study labs, and program offices that support collaborations with partners like the Philadelphia City Planning Commission and the Independence Visitor Center. Campus access to public transit links students to metropolitan hubs including 30th Street Station and Northeast Corridor (Amtrak) services.