Choosing a public policy graduate school depends on career goals and interests, with MPP and doctorate programs available. Professional organizations like APPAM and NASPAA can provide information and databases of accredited programs. MPP focuses on policy management and analysis, while a doctorate is for research and quantitative analysis. Other factors to consider include study focuses, cost, location, financial aid, employment options, and admission requirements.
To choose the best public policy graduate school, students must first consider their potential career goals, including where they want to work and what kind of policy issues they want to work on. The two most common graduate programs in public policy earn a master’s in public policy (MPP) or a doctorate in public policy. Different graduate schools may emphasize different program tracks.
There are several organizations that can help a student who is studying a graduate school in public policy. Examples of these institutions are the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). In addition to providing useful information about public policy careers, the websites of these professional organizations often also provide databases of accredited public policy programs.
MPP is a professional program that generally focuses on providing students with a broad educational foundation in policy management and analysis. It is generally considered a professional, terminal degree, in the same vein as Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Juris Doctor (JD) degrees. While career options with an MPP degree can be wide and varied, most students who earn one pursue work as policy directors or analysts in government, non-governmental organizations or the private sector.
A doctorate in public policy may be well suited to students who want to focus more on in-depth research and quantitative analysis rather than policy management or analysis. This grade range typically requires more time to complete than an MPP. Most people who earn a doctorate in public policy work for universities, but many others work for public policy institutions, think tanks, or public or private sector organizations that require intensive policy research.
In addition to potential career goals, a student should consider what areas of policy he or she is interested in when choosing a graduate school of public policy. Different programs often offer different study focuses. For example, if a student is interested in environmental policy, he or she should look for graduate programs that offer a strong concentration on the environment.
Other considerations to consider when choosing a graduate school in public policy are those that apply to most graduate options. Cost, location, and financial aid options are often important to think about when choosing any school. In addition, students should consider their employment options while in school and whether to attend full-time or part-time. Students should also compare a school’s admission requirements for admission to public graduate school with their own test scores and experience.
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