Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship Program

The 2026-27 Application period will open on March 3, 2026.

What You Need to Know

The current Commonwealth Suffolk University Fellowship will open on March 3, 2026. The Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship Program offers exceptional managers the opportunity to attend the Master in Public Administration (MPA) program at the Suffolk University Sawyer School of Business. Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship recipients will receive a full-tuition scholarship and full salary and will maintain their job on a half-time basis while attending the program. The program begins in September and runs 12 to18 months.

Date	Action Required
March 18, 2026. 2pm - 3pm	Program Application Information Session. Hosted by the Human Resources Division (HRD), and Suffolk University.
May 14, 2026, by 4pm	Suffolk University Admission Application Due.
May 14, 2026, by 4pm	Commonwealth Suffolk University Fellowship Applications Due.
May 21, 2026, by 4pm	Commonwealth Suffolk University Approvals Due.
June 10, 2026.	Suffolk Fellowship Virtual Interviews. Semi-finalist applicants who have been selected, in consultation with Suffolk University, to proceed to the next round of the Fellowship application process, must also interview with a Commonwealth selection committee. Applicants will be notified only if they are selected to be interviewed and will be scheduled for a specific interview date and time. Please note that re-scheduling options are not available.

Suffolk University Academic Calendar. 

Suffolk Fellowship Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Executive Department Managers should review the eligibility requirements before submitting their Fellowship application.

Work Status Criteria:

• Two years or more of full-time service within a Commonwealth Executive Department.
• Currently employed at EOAF, EOED, EOE, EOEEA, EOLWD, EOHHS, EOHLC, EOPSS, EOTSS, EOVS or MassDOT.
• Paid from the AA subsidiary.
• Good standing, Full time and active employment status.
• Serve in a position classified as management within the Executive Departments or be a Massachusetts State Police Department employee classified as Sergeant or above.

Academic Criteria:

• Have graduated from an undergraduate accredited institution.
• Be accepted to the Suffolk University, Sawyer Business School, for its MPA Program.
• Be newly admitted to the Suffolk University MPA program or be currently enrolled, having completed seven (7) or fewer courses (21 credit hours) as of May 14, 2026. For the latter, a Suffolk University transcript must be submitted with the Fellowship Application.
• Possess at least four years of professional work experience as of May 14, 2026, two of which must be within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Departments, the additional two may be in federal, state, municipal or county government in a professional position including time spent as a consultant or volunteer working for a public or private non-profit organization; or as a manager in a private non-profit organization.

Additional Criteria:

• Must have completed their HRD Required Statewide training requirements in MassAchieve, and any related performance management and evaluation requirements in MassPerform.
• Recommended by leadership to complete the Fellowship.
• Communicate, collaborate and work with their organization, to determine a mutually agreed upon return-to-work strategy and plan with their leadership, upon the completion of their degree.
• Be willing to sign an agreement to serve in Massachusetts state government at the Commonwealth in the same or higher-level management grade for a minimum of two years following graduation, or, to repay the salary received while attending the program if they default on this agreement.
• Not have applied for the Suffolk Fellowship more than three (3) times.
• Applicants who hold a graduate degree must address what a Master in Public Administration would offer than their current graduate degree does not. 

Exclusions:

The following categories of employees are excluded from the Suffolk Fellowship Program:

• Contract employees.
• Employees appointed directly by the Governor; whose salary, by statutory requirement, is set by the Governor.
• Employees employed by the Office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General and State Treasurer.
• Employees in public institutions of Higher Education.
• Employed by in Legislative and Judicial branches.
• Employed by Massachusetts public authorities or other quasi-public agencies.
• Employed by county government organizations.

Suffolk Fellowship Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

42 Credit hours include: 

• 3 Foundations in Public Service Courses
• 4 Managing Public Service Organization Courses
• 1 Capstone Course
• 7 Elective Courses 

Foundations in Public Service Courses
PAD 711 Foundations of Public Service and Administration 
PAD 712 Information Based Management
PAD 715 Quantitative Analysis 

Managing Public Service Organization Courses 
PAD 713 Managing Financial Resources
PAD 716 Public Service Human Resource Management
PAD 717 Organizational Change
PAD 718 Leadership Strategies for an Interconnected World

Capstone Course
PAD 890 Strategic Management

Elective Courses
Choose six PAD 800-900 level courses. 

Source: Suffolk University MPA Degree Requirements

Program Expectations

• Fellow must remain in good standing with Suffolk University throughout their enrollment.
• Fellow is responsible for the cost of books, additional educational opportunities, and any fees required by Suffolk University.  
• Fellow will provide weekly confirmation of time and attendance to their agency payroll coordinator.
• Fellow will check in with their supervisor of record at least quarterly to maintain situational awareness on their agency operations and prepare to apply the learning obtained during the program.
• Fellow must provide proof of graduation within 30 days of successful completion of program to the HRD Suffolk Fellowship Program Coordinator.
• In the event that the Fellow withdraws or suspends participation in the program, they will return to full-time work status. If they would like to continue their studies in the future, they must reapply to the Fellowship process.
• If requested, within the 90 days of returning to work, the Fellow will host a briefing for their agency or secretariat leadership to share best practices of what they learned and how they will apply it to their respective roles. 

How to Apply to the Suffolk Fellowship

Step 1: Suffolk University

Eligible managers should review the steps required to complete their Fellowship application. Two separate online applications must submit: one to Suffolk University and one to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Submit your Suffolk University online application to the Office of Graduate Admissions at Suffolk University. Suffolk Fellowship candidates must submit their MPA Program application for admission to the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University in order to qualify to apply for the Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship. Please mark your application as "Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship Applicant". 

Suffolk University MPA information is available at: Suffolk University MPA Program

Important: 

• DO NOT answer “yes” to questions that ask if your employer will pay your tuition on the Suffolk application. Even if you do not receive the Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship, you may be eligible for a Merit Fellowship through Suffolk University. If you indicate your employer will pay for your tuition, your application will not be eligible for this Fellowship.
• Please note if you do receive the Commonwealth Fellowship, any Suffolk University Merit Fellowship money you have been awarded will be void.

Step 2: Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Submit the Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship application. Your Commonwealth Suffolk Fellowship application must be submitted online in its final, completed form, including all required leadership and management approvals by the announced application deadline. 

In the online application, enter the names and email addresses of your supervisor and the appropriate agency or secretariat leadership (examples include agency/secretariat, HR Director, Agency Head, Secretary, etc.) 

• The Human Resources Division's application portal will send an email to your listed supervisor with a link to your recommendation form.
• Upon completion of the supervisor's recommendation, an approval request will be sent to your Secretariat or Agency HR Director.
• Upon approval by the HR Director, an approval request will be sent to your Secretariat or Agency Head for final approval. 

Supervisor recommendations and leadership approvals can take time to complete and receive back. Please ensure to give yourself and others ample time to respond. We suggest that you continue to have conversations with your supervisor, HR Director and Agency Head as you complete your application and request their sign-off before the application deadline.

Step 3: Notice of Interview

Semi-finalist applicants who have been selected, in consultation with the Suffolk University to proceed to the next round of the Fellowship application process, must also interview with a Commonwealth selection committee. Applicants will be notified only if they are selected to be interviewed and will be scheduled for a specific interview date and time. Please note that re-scheduling options are not available.