Rutgers enters partnership to expand graduate education and career pathways for veterans and military family members in public service
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University–New Brunswick has joined Service to Service, a national initiative led by the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families.
The program connects veterans and military family members with public service education pathways, helping them transition into impactful careers in public leadership.
“The Bloustein School is honored to join Service to Service,” said Stuart Shapiro, dean of the Bloustein School. “This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to educate individuals dedicated to public service and support them in pursuing meaningful careers that reflect their values and aspirations.”
Service to Service, which was launched nationally in October 2024, aims to help participating schools increase enrollment of military-connected students in their respective master degree programs, enhance support services, resources and professional development experiences and connect graduates to job placements in state and local government.
“In 2025, the Bloustein School admitted 23 military-affiliated applicants across our four master’s programs, with 12 ultimately enrolling,” Shapiro said. “Our new partnership with the Service to Service initiative strengthens both the Bloustein School’s and Rutgers’ ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for veterans and military families pursuing careers in public service.”
On Nov. 18, the Bloustein School will participate in the 2025 Service to Service Virtual School Recruitment Fair. Members of the military community curious about careers in state and local government, considering a career change or seeking to transition to civilian life are encouraged to attend and explore the numerous degree options offered by participating schools. Interested veterans and military-connected students may register online.
Leveraging recruitment channels as well as evolving partnerships with veteran-serving programs and organizations, the Bloustein School aims to enroll an inaugural cohort of Service to Service students in fall 2026.
The Bloustein School offers four interdisciplinary programs designed to prepare leaders for the complexities of modern public service and administration.
- The two-year master of public policy and one-year, mid-career focused master of public affairs and politics programs prepare students for careers in the public, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. Bloustein policy graduates are serving in elected and appointed leadership positions throughout the nation and the world. Students can concentrate their studies in one of 13 areas, including budget and finance, management, methods, social justice and advocacy, social policy and gender issues, urban policy and community development or create their own concentration.
- The STEM-designated master of city and regional planning is a two-year, full-time program ranked third nationally by Planetizen among the top 25 graduate urban planning programs.. It prepares students for practice in planning as well as policy and program development. The curriculum is designed to develop an understanding of the linkages between the social, economic and political factors of urban society and the physical and environmental framework of regions and communities.
- The master of public informatics provides the vehicle for educating professional student cohorts in the competencies needed in public informatics and can be completed in three semesters. The program focuses on data science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, visualization, spatial analysis, statistics and programming as well as the integration of these skills. Graduates of the program bring a critical voice and a deep understanding of context to an emerging field.
- The master of health administration provides students with an interdisciplinary education focused on improving health care, health systems and policy. The program provides training in economics, law, ethics, leadership and other disciplines related to the health care sector. The two-year, full-time program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education and is ranked No. 28 nationally in health care management programs by U.S. News & World Report.
All four programs also offer part-time enrollment and online course options.
The Bloustein School will collaborate with Rutgers and government partners to provide comprehensive support and guidance to students to promote retention and degree attainment. The school will leverage its partnerships with state and local government agencies to facilitate placement of Service to Service graduates in high-need public sector roles.
Military and veteran applicants who accept admission to any Rutgers Bloustein School’s master’s program via Service to Service are eligible for scholarship funding consideration.
“Public trust in veterans is universal and unwavering across America,” said Ellen Gustafson, co-founder and executive director of We the Veterans. “That trust extends to military family members who share a strong commitment and sense of duty to this country. As Service to Service Fellows, veterans and military families will embark on postgraduate studies that build on their leadership skills, tap into their patriotism and position them to bring that trust to influential civic roles.”
