Service Happens Here
For students in the School of Planning, Public Policy and Management, the university experience happens at the intersection of the community and classroom. In PPPM, you’ll find a welcoming and supportive community that makes a large public university feel small. You’ll find the curriculum that gives you hands-on training to prepare you for the career you want and enhance your resume in ways no textbook can. You'll find wrap-around, one-on-one professional coaching to get you ready for stepping off campus. In PPPM, we prepare you to make a difference--and in fact, you'll be making a difference while you are still in the classroom.
Why Come to Oregon to study?
There are lots of reasons to come to the UO to take the next step in your professional life. Hear why we think this is a special place from our students and faculty.
Learn about the University of Oregon from the people who know it best: our students. The College Tour explores what life is like as a Duck as real students tell you their stories from their favorite spots around our beautiful 295-acre campus.
Undergraduate Degrees
What do sustainability, community change, environmental policy, transportation, and nonprofit administration have in common? All are rooted in making a difference in our communities. Choose to study in the School of Planning, Public Policy and Management (PPPM) to discover how governments, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector firms address some of society's most critical problems—and learn how you can play a crucial role in finding innovative solutions. Learn more about:
Graduate Degrees
An advanced degree will help you stand out in the rapidly evolving public and nonprofit sectors. We offer:
Hands-On Learning Experiences
The hallmark of the PPPM experience is the professional, hands-on experiences students get in school. The community is our classroom, which means students roll up their sleeves and learn by doing. From class projects to navigating the complexities of organizational dynamics of governmental or nonprofit organizations, these hands-on experiences will tip the scales in your favor when it's time to find a job. Learn more about our:
- Community Planning Workshop
- MPA Capstone
- Nonprofit Consultancy
- Policy Lab
- Real World Eugene & Lane County
- Sustainable City Year Program
- Study abroad and networking trips
- Internships
- LiveMove
- Student Community Organization (SCO)
- Civic Impact Coalition
- The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) student chapter
We Love Our Alumni
Our alumni mean the world to us—and to each other. Over our century-long history, we've built a tight-knit community of accomplished PPPM Ducks who support student scholarships, share their wisdom in class visits, and help new graduates launch their careers. In the process, they've formed a strong network of personal and professional connections that will last a lifetime.
Alumni In Action
Jake Boone, a US Army veteran and a double PPPM Duck (BA '2018 & MPA 2020), has become a key player in Oregon's city management scene. In the summer of 2024, he took on the role of Garibaldi’s city manager after serving as assistant city manager in Cottage Grove. Boone's passion for local government was fostered and blossomed during his time on Cottage Grove’s city council and furthered during his education at PPPM. These experiences equipped him with the skills to navigate the complexities of city governance.
Boone thrives on the dynamic nature of city government, where each day brings fresh challenges and opportunities. Reflecting on his experience, he said, “Everything I’ve done in city government, you know as staff, you never have time to get bored because there’s always something new. It’s not solving the same problem over and over again.”
Sarah Akbari (BS 2018) serves with RARE (Resource Assistance for Rural Environments) AmeriCorps in Klamath County as the Local Food Resources Coordinator at Klamath Grown and Klamath County OSU Extension Service. In her role, she promotes local food through community engagement, education, and improved food access. Sarah has created a digital directory of local producers, manages marketing strategies, and organizes community events. She also works on increasing access to local food through research, helps to secure funding for food assistance programs, and collaborates with community organizations. Additionally, Sarah focuses on regional capacity building by developing procurement processes and supporting local producers and small businesses through events, newsletters, and marketing campaigns.