University of Montana's Department of Public Administration and Policy

Congrats to our Department of Public Administration & Policy Graduates and the class of 2026! We know that you will go on to do great things!

For nearly 50 years, the UM MPA program has been training graduates for exciting and rewarding public service careers!

This year’s graduating class joins a long line of excellent public servants. Good luck, Grads!

⏳ 1 day to Big Give

Tomorrow, you can support the next generation of Montana lawyers.

They’re ready to lead.
With your help, they’ll go even further.

💛 See you tomorrow.
https://ow.ly/s6lp50Yyoh3

Big Give is here — and Montana’s Law School needs you.
At the Alexander Blewett III School of Law, students are making an impact long before they graduate. Through clinics, externships and community partnerships, they are providing legal services, supporting Tribal Nations and helping meet critical needs across Montana.
Your support on Big Give helps:
• Expand scholarships for students
• Strengthen clinical programs
• Provide hands-on learning experiences
Every gift makes a difference in preparing the next generation of Montana lawyers.
💛 Give today and be part of their journey:
🔗 https://ow.ly/8rkI50YwUn5

One step closer to becoming attorneys.

The Blewett School of Law recently hosted Barchella, an event designed to help graduating students complete the bar exam application process in one place.

Students were able to take care of key steps like notarizing documents, fingerprinting and submitting their bar applications, while also accessing wellness resources — and enjoying snacks and therapy dog visits along the way.

It’s all part of supporting our students as they prepare for the next stage of their legal careers.

Congratulations to our Fall 2025 MPA graduates! We are happy to be able to celebrate in person with Erynn Flaherty and Meg Smith at today's commencement ceremony. Our UM MPA students and alumni are doing great work to enhance our communities across Montana and beyond!

Come chat with Eli at the UM Graduate Fair! We have many high-quality, flexible and affordable options for Graduate Studies in the Department of Public Administration and Policy!

DPAP faculty Dr. Shannon Baughan and Dr. Kim Eagle represented Montana at the National Certified Public Manager Consortium annual meeting in Logan, Ohio. They learned a great deal from their counterparts in other states as they work to develop the Montana CPM program. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting new initiative coming soon!

Congratulations to UM’s Vice President for People and Culture (and UM MPA Core Faculty member) Jay Stephens for earning the Donald E. Dickason award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). We appreciate Jay’s commitment to the UM MPA program and celebrate this well-deserved recognition from his fellow HR professionals!

Come chat about Spring Undergraduate Classes in our fun and flexible Nonprofit Administration program! Eli will be in the UC until 2:00 Monday and Wednesday of this week with snacks, stickers and information!"

UM MPA faculty Dr. Judy Millesen leads the Accreditation Institute at the NASPAA annual conference in Flagstaff, Arizona on October 8, 2025. NASPAA is the accrediting body for master’s degree programs in public administration, public affairs, public policy, and nonprofit management. Uniquely situated in the Alexander Blewett III School of Law, UM’s MPA program is the only NASPAA-accredited MPA program in the state of Montana.