By Mariana Barillas
What is the common good? And how can it be made a reality?
There’s a new answer to these perennial questions.
This academic year, The Catholic University of America launched the only graduate public policy program in the Washington, D.C., region where the common good and human flourishing are at the center of the curriculum. The first cohort for the Master in Public Policy program is twice the initial enrollment goal, so it’s a focus that clearly resonates.
It’s a perspective beyond partisanship and gives purpose to policy. By combining the latest in social science research with a holistic vision of human flourishing, the program transcends the technocratic orientation typical of the field.
“One of the goals of the program is to rise above the political divide with a fresh perspective on public policy that is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition,” said Master in Public Policy Director and Associate Professor of Economics Richard Gallenstein. “I have students who are excited to be here because, even if they aren’t Catholic, they appreciate that perspective as opposed to what they might expect from other programs.”
Within the course of study, students may specialize in several areas including a rare family policy focus. From professionals working in the field to international students, veterans or students fresh out of college, the diverse background of the student body reflects the broad scope of the program.
For Joe D’Antonio, B.A. 2018, the opportunity to return to his alma mater presented itself at just the right time. He was looking for a graduate program that aligned with his service-oriented outlook that he could complete while working full-time at an economic development non-profit in DC.
“It’s exactly what I was looking for…a well-rounded academic program in line with my personal values,” he said. “You need to have a strong ethical, moral, and philosophical grounding to everything you do... To have a program that focuses just as much on those aspects as some of the more technical skills is really important to me.”
Veteran political consultant Christopher C. Hull, a senior fellow and faculty member of the program, explained that his course on strategic public policy management is enriched by an exploration into the Judeo-Christian roots of what are often otherwise taken for granted as universal values.
“It is imbued with a sense of what is right from a Catholic, Judeo-Christian, and Western civilizational point of view, and what actually is happening on one side of the aisle or another,” he said.
A sense of purpose in service to others extends beyond the classroom, shaping the entire student experience.
Growing up in Mali, Kady Sanogo knew from a young age that she wanted to advocate for children's rights and economic development. She said she was drawn to the University’s sense of community that made her feel like more than “just another student they were trying to recruit.”
“They genuinely want to get to know us, our goals, and ways they can help us. It feels like no matter what happens, I can always turn to my professors,” said Sanogo.
Sanogo knows her advanced policy analysis speciality is setting her up for success in a rapidly changing field. A big advantage is its location in the heart of Washington, so a highlight of her first semester was attending the 2024 World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings.
“The data analysis track means I can do more than sit through meetings and brainstorm ideas,” Sanogo said. “Data analysis and evaluations are just as important to determine if a specific policy or program is reaching the desired audiences and the intended goals.”
Sanogo said her coursework, such as her big data class focused on machine learning applications, is “challenging in a way that makes me want to learn more.”
But for Sanogo, the best part of the program is the bonds she’s making with her classmates.
“As an introvert, I keep to myself a lot,” she said. “We’ve been hanging out and getting to know each other, so those have been some of my favorite moments.”
