Students should first consider their potential career goals, such as where they want to work and what type of policy issues they want to work on, before deciding on the best public policy graduate school. A Master’s of Public Policy (MPP) or a PhD in public policy are the two most common public policy graduate degrees. Different graduate schools may place a greater emphasis on certain program tracks.
There are several organizations that can help a student who is considering pursuing a master’s degree in public policy. The Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration are two examples of these organizations (NASPAA). These professional organizations’ websites usually include databases of accredited public policy degree programs in addition to useful information on public policy careers.
The MPP is a professional program that aims to provide students with a broad educational foundation in policy management and analysis. It’s typically thought of as a professional, terminal degree, similar to a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) or a Juris Doctor (JD). While an MPP degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities, the majority of students who earn one want to work as policy directors or analysts in government, nongovernmental organizations, or the private sector.
Students who want to focus on in-depth research and quantitative analysis rather than policy management or analysis may benefit from a PhD in public policy. This degree path usually takes longer to complete than an MPP. The majority of people who obtain a PhD in public policy work for universities, but many others work for public policy institutes, think tanks, or public or private sector organizations that require extensive policy research.
When selecting a public policy graduate school, a student should consider his or her career goals as well as the policy areas in which he or she is interested. Various study areas are frequently available in different programs. If a student is interested in environmental policy, for example, he or she should look for graduate programs with a strong environmental focus.
Other factors to consider when selecting a public policy graduate school are those that apply to all graduate school selections. When it comes to choosing a school, cost, location, and financial aid options are all important factors to consider. Students should also consider their employment options while in school, as well as whether to attend full-time or part-time. Students should also compare the requirements for admission to a public policy graduate school with their own test scores and experience.