For Employers: Investing in Evidence-Based Social Impact
Hiring a Master of Social Policy Evaluation (MSPE) student or graduate is a valuable investment in your organization. MSPE graduates are equipped with frontier quantitative skills and data-driven insights necessary to evaluate, implement, and refine complex social programs.
The rigorous, applied MSPE curriculum fosters the development of deep expertise in high-impact policy areas, including:
- Criminal and Juvenile Justice
- Public Health
- Early Childhood Development and Education
- Labor Markets
Our staff is dedicated to helping your organization identify and recruit talent that fits your specific mission and needs.
Hire an MSPE Student
The Master of Social Policy Evaluation provides numerous avenues for employers to connect with our students. We offer tailored recruiting strategies to match your organization’s goals with our students’ professional expertise. Engagement opportunities include:
- Case study simulations
- Alumni "Lunch and Learn" sessions
- On-campus and virtual interviews
- Employer site visits
- Informal coffee chats
To begin developing your recruitment strategy, please complete this form and our Employer Relations team will be in touch soon.
International Students
Occupational Practical Training (OPT) – OPT is a 12-month work authorization that allows our MSPE students who have graduated to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study. Rice's Master of Social Policy Evaluation is considered a STEM-designated program which allows our graduates to receive an additional 24-month extension. Students gain a total of 36 months for practical work experience in their STEM field.
- Student Responsibilities – Students can apply for OPT as early as 90 days before the program completion date in August. OPT can be granted to the student with or without an offer of employment. Additional steps and guidelines can be found here.
- Employer Responsibilities – There is no cost to the employer. Rice's Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) processes the student's STEM OPT recommendation. Students must have their EAD card in hand prior to beginning work.
MSPE Career Outcomes
Our graduates transition into leadership and analytical roles across public and private sectors, as well as foundations and nonprofit organizations. Please visit our Employment Outcomes Database to see the diverse organizations where MSPE alumni are driving policy evaluation.
Additional University Resources
For more information on university-wide recruitment policies and semi-annual career fairs, please visit the Rice Center for Career Development (CCD).