About Sanford
Preparing Policy Leaders
The Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University is one of America’s leading schools of public policy, offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in public policy and international development policy.
Terry Sanford, then president of Duke University, established the school in 1972 as the Institute of Policy Sciences and Public Affairs. Sanford’s experience as governor of North Carolina and, later, as a U.S. Senator, convinced him the country needed leaders who were not only politically savvy, but also ethically grounded and capable of rigorous analytical thinking. He urged students to set “outrageous ambitions,” a call to action that remains at the core of the school’s identity.
Values and Principles
Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
In keeping with their namesake’s legacy, the Sanford School of Public Policy has outrageous ambitions.
They aspire to be a great school of public policy for the 21st Century and to be recognized as a leader in our field.
The Duke Sanford School of Public Policy’s mission is to improve lives by researching the most pressing public policy issues and preparing students for lives of leadership, civic engagement and public service.
In 2019, faculty and staff of the Sanford School met to discuss the shared values that define their community. These values (in alphabetical order) guide the Sanford School every day.
