ABOUT | HISTORY | ACADEMICS | MISSION | EMPLOYMENT
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy – Serving New Jersey Since 1992
About Us
Established and approved by the Rutgers University Board of Governors in 1992, the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy serves as one of the nation’s key centers for the theory and practice of planning and public policy scholarship and analysis.
With its graduate urban planning program ranked nationally, an accredited graduate public policy program, the undergraduate public health program ranked 4th nationally, and new research interests in health administration, public administration, and public informatics added more recently, the Bloustein School is committed to a rebirth of the public service ethic in the United States. The ethic focuses on good civic design in its broadest sense, encompassing such endeavors as housing, transportation, workforce development, public health, economic development, ecological balance, and social justice for the disadvantaged. The school supports a wide variety of educational activities, including undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs, continuing education and conferences for professionals and alumni, and a range of research centers focused on major planning and policy issues.
Our History
The establishment of the School of Planning and Public Policy was one of Dr. Bloustein’s last acts as president, and it was named in his honor in 1992. Citing his leadership in establishing partnerships between the university, state, and private sector as well as his great involvement in the public service mission of the university, the Rutgers Board of Governors noted that he often spoke of the need for a school to serve local and state public policy concerns and of the importance of community service as part of a liberal education.
Academics
The disciplines and professions of urban planning, public policy, public health, health administration and public informatics are strongly situated in an educational context that stresses social science education and public service. The Bloustein School grants B.A. and B.S. degrees in five majors, four Master’s degrees, and, through the Rutgers School of Graduate Studies, a Ph.D. in Planning and Public Policy.
Undergraduate Programs
Urban Planning Graduate Program
Public Policy Graduate Program
Health Administration Graduate Program
Public Informatics Graduate Program
Doctoral Program
Our Mission
The mission of the Bloustein School is to create just, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and healthy local, national and global communities.
Edward J. Bloustein — Rutgers president, constitutional scholar, active citizen, philosopher, and teacher — lived a life of civic engagement that the school’s ethic seeks to perpetuate. Research, teaching, and outreach at the Bloustein School aim for intellectual originality and practical rigor in an atmosphere of spirited and open debate. Bloustein activities are rooted in diversity of experience and thought. They create settings where individuals and communities can flourish. The Bloustein ethic strives to improve the quality of public discourse by producing ideas and measures that have impact.
The Bloustein ethic engages those who do their jobs not just honorably, but with a passion for their work that alters their surroundings. The Bloustein School seeks to foster new research and thinking that achieve both scholarly recognition and public acceptance.
Learning Goals
- To enhance students’ understanding of the theories, methods, and practice of planning and public policy.
- To encourage open discussion of all viewpoints, the application of quantitative methods for analysis, the careful study of history, and a thorough consideration of economic and demographic trends and political institutions and processes.
- To examine theories and methods in a wide variety of concentrations, including community and economic development, public health, workforce development, land use, housing, transportation, urban design, education, social policy, science and technology policy, and environmental policy.
Education
The School supports a wide variety of educational activities, from undergraduate and master’s and doctoral degree programs to continuing education courses and conferences for professionals and alumni. The School also hosts international fellows programs, which provide education and professional development opportunities for individuals from nations around the world. The core purpose of all our educational programs is to enhance students’ understanding of the theories, methods, and practice of planning and public policy. The School’s educational programs encourage open discussion of all viewpoints, the application of quantitative methods for analysis, the careful study of history, and a thorough consideration of economic and demographic trends and political institutions and processes. Full- and part-time students examine theories and methods in a wide variety of concentrations, including community and economic development, public health, workforce development, land use, housing, transportation, urban design, education, social policy, science and technology policy, and environmental policy.
Research
The School serves as an intellectual focal point at Rutgers University for the examination of societal problems and solutions. Research undertakings are governed by a strong commitment to quality through the use of sound social science theory and methods and to full dissemination of results and peer review of findings. Research is carried out on a wide variety of challenging topics. Specialized centers, established by the University’s Board of Governors, carry out large-scale projects and are supported by external funding. The centers support the educational and public-service mission by focusing research in the substantive areas of the School’s strength and by supporting students, faculty, and staff in those areas.
Service
The School is committed to addressing community, regional, state, national, and international needs. Faculty, staff, and students fulfill this commitment in a variety of ways, by preparing students for careers in public service; through continuing education courses and seminars; by serving as advisors to public officials and community organizations; by working to strengthen the capacity of governmental and nonprofit organizations through education and training; and by undertaking research projects that address the pressing needs and concerns of our society.
Employment Opportunities
To apply for any position at the Bloustein School, applicants must formally apply through the Rutgers University Employment Opportunities website.
Rutgers University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
The most up-to-date employment listings for positions at the Bloustein School may be found at the Rutgers University Human Resources website.