jegan3

So what's the difference between an MBA and an MPA? Obviously one is more geared towards public service-type jobs than the other, but do they stress the same kind of management skills, or are they pretty much totally different? Sorry if I'm revealing my ignorance here.. I know nothing about business degrees.

jmleadpipe

I am guessing that MBA's and MPA's are totally different, because one is geared towards management for the sake of profit and the other is based on management for the public interest.

Practically, also, I am guessing the atmosphere in most MPA programs is alot more uh...relaxed..than in most MBA programs.

american_in_canada

so with an MA in some social science field (economics/ government) you could potentially go into some of the same things as you could with an MPA/ MPP or if you wanted continue for a PhD?

jmleadpipe

If you want to do a PhD, I think you might want to do something like an MA in Economics or Government rather than an MPA, since an MPA is a professional degree. But I am not at all an expert on this, so don't take my word for it.

american_in_canada

yes that makes sense... but can an MA have as practical an advantage in a professional setting as an MPA can?

jmleadpipe

I would imagine that has everything to do with what job you want. If you are applying for a job that requires on an undergraduate degree and you pull out an MA, thats a plus, obviously. However, some jobs are geared towards MPA's and MPP's, so it really depends what you want to go into after youre done with school.

MikeU

For those people seeking to enroll in an MPA program, in my opinion, make sure the program is accredited by a respected organization, such as NASPAA. Accreditation ensures the MPA program meets minimum standards for public administration and public policy education. However, from looking at the list of NASPAA-accredited programs on NASPAA's website www.naspaa.org most of the schools on that list have poor national name recognition. However, as long as the programs are accredited, this fact should be more important than name recognition.

For instance, I obtained my MPA from Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus), not a well-known school beyond downtown Brooklyn or Long Island (its other campus is in Brookville, Nassau County and is known as the "C.W. Post Campus"). Nevertheless, LIU's MPA program is NASPAA-accredited and that's what mattered.

Another issue I want to raise is Columbia, Harvard, and Cornell all have MPA programs, which are not accredited (Harvard's MPP program is accredited); but these three schools' other programs (JD, MBA, and other degree programs) are accredited by organizations in their fields. I construe that (1) these three schools have not submitted their MPA programs for accreditation or (2) whether they are accredited does not matter. If the latter is true, then do you people here believe these three schools (and other schools that have non-accredited MPA programs) are neglecting the fields of public administration and public policy?

kgergs

Anyone know which MPA or MIA (or other) programs provide the best training for an international NGO/Non-profit Management track?

I have taken a look at some of the prestigious programs and have gotten mixed reviews, especially about Harvard Kennedy School, since Ban Ki-Moon, Felipe Calderon, and Liberian President, Ellen Johnson, amongst others all have Harvard MPA's. But then I read that it was absolutely awful and that an MPA degree is something of a joke and really not practical either for employability or functionality, preparing one for work in the field.

I am trying to decide if I should pursue a very prestigious school versus possibly more practical and internationally focused schools, such as SIT Graduate Institute (MSM program) and the Monterey Institute, MPA program. I cannot even find rankings for SIT however!

I really want to know what programs and schools are best for an international, practical degree.

Any ideas? Thanks a lot!

lalala33

Syracuse University has the number one public affairs/mpa program in the country.

GradSchoolHelp

Princeton is the #4 school for public admin but it's not accredited by NASPAA. Is it really that important? Are the US news rankings even reliable?

ArtsyGirl

I'm curious about kgergs' question about working for international ngos.

Rexbocker828

For International I would look at Columbia SIPA.

kate12345

Just curious. Do you think Columbia MPA in Environmental Science and Policy is worth $94K in debt? Friend accepted there.

PlantBottles

it is absolutely not worth that. that program is a cash cow program and you have to consider the job and income you will make with the degree. i understand the columbia name seems attractive but that degree is useless and not worth the 100K+ debt (including cost of living) that will be a huge burden for a long time.