<p>I love academics, public policy, econ, and the environment. I am interested in becoming a professor, work at a think tank, work in higher levels of government in policy, or work somewhere close to home. (In Minnesota!)</p>
<p>The reason why I’m thinking about a Ph D is because I love academics and wouldn’t mind doing it as my life, and also use my academic skills to help government and municipalities.</p>
<p>Would a Ph. D. be a good idea or a waste? I know that currently, Ph D students are mostly treated as slaves and such and the whole culture behind it, but I’m skeptical of a lot of it sometimes. I’ve never heard anything aout a Ph D. program in Public Policy and how job prospects were for students.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking of a few schools (Berekely Goldman, Ford Michigan, HKS, and maybe American or Georgetown). </p>
<p>Also, if I’m interested in City Planner and maybe working as a City Administrator, would a MURP be good? Anyone know job prospects of a MURP?</p>
<p>A PhD and a MURP are two very different degrees that would not necessarily qualify you for the same positions. Although it is definitely possible to pursue a master’s degree in planning first and then later a PhD in public policy, you should think about the career path you really want. It would be much easier to start off working as a city planner or administrator and then later on move to academia, than it would be to get a PhD and look for non-academic planning jobs, like a city manager.</p>
<p>Your main goal in getting a PhD should be doing research in academia. If you feel deeply about a certain top and could never see yourself doing anything else other than research, then a PhD might be a good fit. There are good PhD programs in public policy out there. You’ll need a very strong quantitative background in order to be admitted, just so you know. However, the job market generally sucks for public policy PhDs (and for most PhDs in general), so realize that if you go this route it might be a few years before you get a TT position (if ever). Your best bet is to go to the top school in your field, with professors doing research that is of interest to you, and to try to publish if you can. Of the schools you mentioned, HKS, Michigan, Berkeley, and Georgetown are among the best; however, the best option for you is the one where the faculty research interests align with yours.</p>
<p>As far as getting a MURP goes, it might be a better option if you are unsure about a PhD right now, but want to keep that option open later on. Unfortunately, the job market generally sucks for planners right now, due to the housing bubble. It has been picking up from what I hear, but it may still be years (if ever) before it really recovers. If you’re really into the policy side of planning, you might want to look into doing a dual MPA/MURP, since it will open up more doors and shouldn’t take too much longer to complete.</p>
<p>I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>This is great! Thanks much. The reason why I was asking about Ph D programs is because I am passionate about academic research, but it could also open doors for policy think tanks.</p>
<p>I am also passionate about planning and city management, so I am just wanting to research options. I would be extremely interested in doing a MPA/MURP. Public affairs just fascinate me and an opening into the field would be great. I know the PhD job market is terrible and the long and tough road ahead of those students. It’s just more attractive if I can get some funding for a PhD program rather than taking out massive loans for a masters, but a masters may be much more practical.</p>