MAPS alumni work in a variety of policy settings, including public agencies, advocacy, research, nonprofit leadership, and corporations. Read what some of our graduates have to say about their experience in MAPS and the ways in which it influences their work.
View the complete list of our graduates' Capstone Projects.
Governmental Affairs and Information Manager
Everett Transit Authority
MAPS 2003
"What I gained most from the program was a strong reinforcement of my research and professional presentation and writing skills. Having been in the policy field for a number of years, I know that the quality of these assets can make a big difference."
Social and Health Program Manager
Department of Social and Health Services
MAPS 2005
"MAPS helped me to develop the analytic tools, and language, to consider multiple perspectives in the policy process. I learned that there are no easy policy decisions; if you find one, you're probably forgetting some important trade-offs. This is a great program for anyone wanting to develop rigorous research and analysis skills to engage in complex social problem solving."
Director of Parent Education
Break Through Parent Institute
MAPS 2003
"My MAPS education compelled me to influence court officials and social service advocates in the need for a parent curriculum which is framed in human rights theory, and to hold parent educators to higher standards. My skills are invaluable as I start a research project with a former MAPS student that will measure the quality and quantity of contact that parents in our program have with courts and social service systems before, during and after their participation in the 10-month extended parent education program."
Resource Development Associate
Habitat for Humanity of East King County
MAPS 2003
"I really value the education and preparation that the MAPS program has equipped me with. I knew that I wanted to make a real difference in the lives of people in my community who really need it. My courses, faculty, and fellow students at the University of Washington's MAPS program have helped me become the agent of positive change that I dreamed of being."
Program Analyst
Physical Security Division
Bureau of Diplomatic Security
Department of State
MAPS 2005
"The memo writing practice that Professor Dolsak required is an essential skill to know. The most important ability of the Analyst is to absorb vast amounts of information, and then convey the most relevant points in no more than a one-page document. The MAPS degree was exactly the course of study the government desires to fill its current vacancies."
Unemployment Insurance Legislative and Policy Research Analyst, UI Division
Washington State Department of Employment Security
MAPS 2003
"Since Graduating from the MAPS program I have had the opportunity to put many of the concepts and analytical tools to work. I have also had the opportunity to use valuable facilitation and presentation skills that were strengthened in MAPS."
Program Manager, Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research and Graduate Education-Harborview Medical Center
University of Washington
MAPS 2004
"I found the qualitative and quantitative methodology courses the most interesting because they were applicable to my personal research, they gave me ways to approach problems/questions, and they provided me with a different way of understanding the role of theory in policy analysis and research. What I learned in those courses prepared me for the work I do now with School of Medicine data."
College Recruiting Team
Microsoft
MAPS 2003
"Because MAPS is a Master of Arts degree, we covered a great deal of theory. One author's research [proved] very useful in my public sector career. I highly recommend Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies (2nd Edition) by John W. Kingdon as a useful tool for understanding the public policy process. I have seen first hand how this really does happen."
Resource Development Administrator
Village Community Services
MAPS 2003
"The in-depth research, reading and writing (of MAPS) has taught me the importance of finding out the facts of world events and going beyond the 20 second sound bite or the short newspaper article. Although I can't solve all of the world's problems, I have an appreciation of what the problems are and I like to read and digest as much information as I can so I have at least a basic understanding of world events and am able to convey that information when talking with others of important world issues."
IT Business Analyst
Global Wireless by TMobile
MAPS 2004
"The MAPS curriculum drastically improved my analytic capabilities by introducing me to a wealth of tools and disciplines, particularly the application of statistical analyses to policy problems and thorough documentation of observations, results of tests, and the making of recommendations."
Loss Control Manager
Snohomish County
MAPS 2004
"The MAPS program offers a skill set that crosses several disciplines. My current position has been enhanced by the skills I gained in the MAPS program, in particular collaboration and strategic planning. The ability to conceptualize what is perceived as a problem and then to recommend a plan that considers the variables associated with the concern is of paramount importance in my daily work."
