Carsey School of Public Policy

The Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire is widely known for its research, policy education, and civic engagement work. The school publishes policy-relevant research briefs, offers four master's degree programs, and brings people together for thoughtful dialogue to address societal challenges.

Explore Our Academic Programs

Explore Our Research

Ski Industry Professionals in New Hampshire Are Worried about Climate Change
In this brief, authors Jacklyn Tracy and Elizabeth Burakowski report the results of an online survey conducted in June 2025 with New Hampshire ski industry professionals to gain insight into how they perceive climate change. Read the Brief.
Public School-Affiliated Preschool Programs in New Hampshire, 2024–2025 School Year
In this brief, authors Tyrus Parker, Kamala Nasirova, and Jess Carson report on the results from the second annual New Hampshire preschool in public schools survey. Read the brief.
Carsey School of Public Policy 2024–2025 Annual Review
This review shares 2024–2025 highlights of our academic programs and centers; milestones of our students, faculty, fellows, alumni, and staff; and much more. Read the review.
All Six New England States Gain Population, but Demographic Basis of Gain Varies
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that New England’s population grew by 310,000 between the 2020 Census in April 2020 and July 2025 and now stands at 15,432,000, according to new Census Bureau estimates. Read the brief.
Operating on Thin Margins: The Cost of Providing New Hampshire Child Care
In this primer, authors Tyrus Parker and Jess Carson summarize available data on the cost of operating a child care program in New Hampshire. Read the primer.
New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program Reaches Young Children Statewide
In this brief, authors Harshita Sarup and Jess Carson offer an update on enrollment in the New Hampshire Care Scholarship Program and describe the age and geographic distribution of enrolled children. Read the brief.
The New Hampshire Voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave Program: Did the program increase coverage?
In this brief, author Kristin Smith evaluates whether the New Hampshire Voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave program increased paid family and medical leave coverage. Read the brief.
Factors Contributing to the Demographic Cliff: More U.S. Women of Childbearing Age, but Fewer Have Given Birth
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that in 2024 there were 5.7 million more childless women of prime child-bearing age than would have been expected given fertility patterns prior to the Great Recession. Read the brief.
Interested in writing for the Carsey School?
The value of writing for Carsey is in exposure to new, public audiences. To learn more about how you can empower your research, visit the Writing for the Carsey School of Public Policy webpage.
2024 New Hampshire Civic Health Report
This report focuses on the civic health of New Hampshire from 2019 through 2024 using a specific set of indicators. The intent behind this report is that the data at the state level can be used to help both the state overall and local communities strengthen civic health. Read the Report.
Local Civic Health: A Guide to Building Community and Bridging Divides
This seven-part guide is designed to help people at the local level collect data to better understand what factors bring people together or push them apart. The information can help communities to thrive and strengthen democracy at the local level. Read the guide.

Explore Our Centers

UNH Online Program Spotlight: Master's in Public Policy

The Master's in Public Policy at UNH equips professionals with the analytical, research, and communication skills needed to tackle complex societal challenges. This program teaches students how to design sustainable, evidence-based policy solutions and effectively implement them.

Learn more from Carsey School Director Stephen Bird about what makes this program unique.

public policy alum Thomas Galarneau receiving his diploma on stage at commencement and hugging Director Stephen Bird

Can you give an overview of the program?

The MPP is an affordable, flexible, in-person degree typically completed in 16 months. It prepares policy leaders of tomorrow with critical skills and experiences sought across the full range of policymaking and advocacy employers in government, consulting, NGOs, the private sector, and nonprofits. You'll learn from experts in their policy fields, connect with policy practitioners and leaders working inside and outside of Washington, DC, and become intimately familiar with major public policy issues and debates. This is a degree for students who want to make change happen to build a better, more sustainable future for their communities, state, country, and planet.

Why should students interested in public policy choose UNH?

The program ensures students get plenty of in-person oversight, it's flexible, including three tracks in policy analysis, strategy and communication, or recreation policy.

We have really strong experiential activities. Our DC Colloquium is mandatory for all MPP students and proves a week in DC meeting with policy makers inside and outside of government.

Upcoming Events

April

17

NH Listens: Advanced Facilitator Training

9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Location: Online This Advanced Facilitator Training is focused on those difficult moments where people are in dialogue across significant differences. Many people are often trained to remain “neutral” when serving as facilitators. However, that doesn't mean facilitators should remain passive in the face of misunderstandings and harmful dynamics. This in-person session is designed to take a deeper dive into the tough moments that facilitators face, including self…
May

6

NH Listens Local Lunch Box: Creating Welcoming Spaces

Noon - 12:45 p.m., Join NH Listens for a 45-minute informative and interactive session aimed at sharing bite-sized tips and resources from our toolbox for community engagement and facilitation.This session on Creating Welcoming Spaces will share tips around cultivating an environment to keep your events engaging and productive while attending to differences in participant perspectives. ?? SAVE YOUR SEAT ??
May

7

Online Q&A: Tips for a Successful Graduate Application

Noon - 12:15 p.m., Join this live Q&A to learn about everything from writing your personal statement to choosing recommenders and what to expect after hitting "submit." Save your seat here Watch this short video before joining