If you are interested in being at the heart of social change, public policy is likely a career that you have followed or at least considered. To get there, you have probably thought of pursuing a master’s degree in public policy to hone expertise in the rules, laws, and regulations that lead to sustainable impact.

There are many different considerations to take into account when deciding whether to pursue a Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) or a Masters of Public Policy (MPP) and, if so, which program(s) to apply to. This is why it is important to understand the requirements, options, and future opportunities of public policy master’s programs. To help you make this decision, we have compiled some of the most important information on MPAs and MPPs below!

 

What’s the difference between an MPP and an MPA?

While both MPPs and MPAs deal with public service and policy, students receive different skills and sets of expertise in each program.

A Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree can help students seeking a career in public service, community, government and leadership positions, including managing nonprofits. 

Covering areas like finance, grant procurement, urban planning, law, ethics, workforce development, conflict resolution, and more, this degree provides tools to solve real problems through the implementation and enforcement of policies and public programs.  This degree is more action-focused than an MPP, emphasizing management and implementation.

Demand for MPAs is growing as the number and urgency of societal problems increase throughout the world. An MPA can help graduates find leadership positions in government, the private sector, or nonprofits. 

A Masters of Public Policy (MPP) degree, on the other hand, offers expertise in analyzing, evaluating, and solving public policy issues. Unlike the MPA, the MPP emphasizes policy research and evaluation over front-end leadership.

MPP degree-holders usually conceive and suggest solutions using research and data. This is a specialized degree that can help students find positions as policy advisors, social researchers, civil service administrators, diplomats, and more. 

In sum, identifying whether you want a more managerial or analytical position in public policy is an important step in deciding whether you want to do an MPP or an MPA. 

Note: for those interested in honing in on the intersection of the public and private sectors, you may be interested in pursuing a dual MPA/MBA or MPP/MBA degree. For more on this type of degree, see this post. 

 

What does a public policy master’s program look like?

During their master’s studies, public policy students gain in-depth knowledge on a wide range of topics related to governmental impact. From applied econometrics and public budgeting to political psychology and the business of non-profits, you will almost certainly be able to find a program that matches your interests and career objectives.

All programs are typically two years long and are interdisciplinary in nature. They equip students with communication and presentation skills, preparing them to negotiate and lead in public policy situations. They also provide expertise in some degree of policy analysis and implementation.

You will also have the chance to focus on areas that pertain to your career goals. For example, some specialty areas that public policy students can concentrate on are education, energy, food science, health, and transportation policy, as well as nonprofit leadership.

A lot of your projects during the program will be collaborative — this is to prepare you for the real world of public policy work which takes place within teams of government agencies or consultants. Many MPPs and MPAs end in a capstone project that allows you to solve a problem within your area of focus using the skills and knowledge gained through your program.

MPP degrees in particular will focus on developing students’ critical thinking, quantitative, and research skills. Courses will be focused on analyzing urgent public policy problems, both regionally and globally, and designing innovative solutions. Courses you can expect within an MPP curriculum include: data analysis, public finance, research methods, program evaluation, and urban planning. 

Within an MPA program, you can expect to focus on business and financial management skills in addition to policy-specific courses. Some examples of core courses include organizational management, professional communication, and leadership ethics. MPAs prepare you to be an effective change leader in public organizations, or within institutions and companies that collaborate with the public sector.

 

Who’s a good candidate for a public policy degree?

Students with demonstrated experience related to public policy are most likely to be admitted, although you do not necessarily need this to be admitted. With a spectacular application essay that justifies your career transition into public policy, you can definitely impress the adcom of your school of choice enough to be admitted!

In any case, some work experience is likely to lead to application success. So, when editing your CV, be sure to show any relevant public policy experience or impact.

Depending on the program, you may be required to have completed a statistics or economics course during your undergraduate degree, so be sure to check for this when applying. If you are going directly from your bachelor’s degree to the MPP/MPA, you may want to consider gathering a few years of work experience before applying, unless you have internship experience in the public policy field already.

 

What are some of the best public policy programs?

While there is a range of outstanding public policy programs across the globe that may fit your particular career interests and objectives, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best that employers in any sector will value highly. 

 

Harvard

Source: hks.harvard.edu

Harvard’s Kennedy School offers both MPP and MPA options to combine with an MBA. The program has fostered the success of students since its inception in 2007 in recognition of the increasing need for professionals with strong management skills who can also help to shape solutions to global problems.  These two-year programs prepare students to craft solutions that will make the world a better place. 

Classes in Harvard’s MPP are taught using a combination of traditional lectures and the case method, which Harvard is famous for. Courses are taught by professors who are known globally for their contributions to public policy and impact.

 

London School of Economics

Source: lse.ac.uk

LSE offers both MPA and MPP programs focused on public policy and administration with a global focus.

The MPA is a two-year immersive learning experience that prepares you for both analytical and practical skills. The first year is focused on skills in public policy research, and the second year is fully dedicated to specializing your degree in the field you are interested in. 

There is also a six-month capstone project that allows students to apply their skills and knowledge gained by completing an investigation of a public policy problem for a client.

The MPP, on the other hand, is only one year long and is aimed at mid-career professionals who want to strengthen existing skills in public policy. The program focuses on legal, financial, and ethical perspectives of public policy that will allow students to return to their fields ready to advance their careers and impact.

 

UC Berkeley

Source: berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley’s MPP is a two-year program focused on both practice and application of policymaking and implementation. Particular issues that Berkeley’s public policy department focuses on are poverty, education, racial inequality, and climate change.

The program, in addition to its core curriculum, requires students to complete a summer internship after the first year, a second-year policy analysis project, and other electives that may be taken within other departments at UC Berkeley.

 

Ohio State University

Source: osu.edu

OSU’s MPA degree is one of the best for preparing students for leadership positions in public policy, economics, management, and data analysis. The program focuses on practical applications that prepare students for career advancement and allow them to focus on a particular policy or skill area depending on their interests and objectives.

During the second year of the program, students explore and specialize in different issues through electives and a capstone experience.

Most students pursuing this degree are working in addition to the full-time curriculum, so there is a lot of support at the school for students who must balance their schedules.

 

National University of Singapore

Source: nus.edu

NUS’s MPP is two years long and allows students to work on complex issues shaping national, regional, and global policies. Applicants choose whether to specialize in economics and development, politics and international affairs, or management and leadership.

The program is designed for young professionals with up to 5 years of experience, but demonstrating maturity in their commitment to public service.

 

Career benefits of an MPP/MPA

MPP and MPA degree holders are highly regarded by employers in the government, private sector, and nonprofit spheres alike. Common settings that MPP and MPA graduates end up in include governmental agencies and offices, nonprofit organizations, and large corporations that are looking for candidates with dedication to public impact.

With an MPP/MPA, you will have the proven expertise that can fast-track you into higher-paying positions than if you were to apply to jobs in public policy without a master’s degree. Depending on the career that you decide to pursue, you can earn anywhere from $75,000 (as a budget analyst) to $120,000 (as a fundraising manager) after your master’s. 

What’s more, your career options will be expanded as a result of your degree. 

Some examples of careers that you can get post-MPA/MPP are regional government officer, social research director, political scientist, lobbyist, and public service administrator. 

 

MPP, MPA Application Process

The application process for MPA/MPPs will vary depending on the institutions you’re applying to, so be sure to carefully read all instructions and heed expert advice in order to increase your chances of acceptance. But, as a rule of thumb, you’ll want to particularly highlight:

• Any relevant professional experience you have in public service or nonprofit management or data analysis and policy adaptation that supports your interest in public policy.
• Your ability to successfully focus on, organize and complete complex studies or tasks that speak to your likelihood to succeed in the dual degree program. Do you have recommenders who can attest to this? 
• Your medium and long-term career goals would be specifically supported by a dual degree in your Statement of Purpose. This is particularly valuable to the admissions committees who want to see not only that you can complete a rigorous MPP/MPA degree but that they are admitting a community of students whose career trajectories will employ the degree wisely, further strengthening the merit of their programs. 

 

Deciding on and getting into the right MPA/MPP program for you

Deciding whether a public policy master’s (and whether it should be an MPP or MPA, for that matter!) can be a difficult process. On top of that, writing a truly outstanding application for your top programs is no easy task — if it were, the application process wouldn’t be so selective!

However, we know that everyone has a program that is right for their career objectives and that anyone is capable of succeeding. Not only are we at Ellin Lolis Consulting able to help our clients make hard decisions, but we also bring out the best in all of our clients. 

This is why we have a 98.7% success rate in getting our clients into their schools of choice. Through great communications and interpersonal skills, our expert team is able to work with you to really understand your strengths and passions, help you perfect your storytelling, and present it all to the specific schools you are applying to.

If you’re ready to take the next step towards your dream public policy program and get support from a winning team of consultants with your application, work with us today!