shevell

First, thank you for taking the time to respond. I am not worried about being competitive, just need some advice. After having read through a variety of posts on here, it's pretty clear that this is mostly geared towards DC/Federal jobs or non-profits. I am specifically looking for advice on attending an online MPA program for with a focus on Public Administration, Budgeting or Local Government. Let me give you some details: I am a librarian with 9 years of progressively responsible management experience in a mid-size system. Currently I am in charge of three libraries, 30 people and a purchasing budget of about 150k. I am 35, married, two kids with one on the way. I already have an Master's in Library Science from a well respected institution (in my field) and I graduated with a 3.8. I took the GRE 11 years ago so I probably have to retake it unless I get a waiver for work experience/prior masters. My goal for the MPA is two-fold: 1. Library Directorship - This is the main goal for now. I am at least 5 years out in my estimation. Normally many in my discipline will scoff at the idea of requiring more than an MLIS to get a top job, but just looking at the biggest people as far as libraries go and it's pretty obvious - the last two heads of the New York Public Library were not librarians - and looking at the posts for Library Directors makes it pretty obvious that they are looking for something the average librarian doesn't get through work experience or through an MLIS - specifically executive administrative experience and budgeting/finance. 2. Expand my skillset for jobs elsewhere in government - This is a "who moved my cheese" type of goal. While I still do a good amount of librarian related activities, most of my time is spent with personnel, policy, planning, perfomance evaluations and interacting with other agencies. While I think those skills make me a solid contender anywhere in government as a mid-range manager having an MPA would make it easier to convince a hiring board that I have what it takes. Should something happen - like say Miami-Dade library system cutting its branches and staff in half - I don't want to be stuck in a small market with limited visibility. I am looking into SPEA, MPA@UNC, Denver, Nebraska as online programs. Also considering USF and FIT online MPA programs as they are close to me. UCF is also close, but they require at least a few classes face to face which would be very difficult for me to pull off. They do, however, have an online Master of Science in Non-Profit Management. What I need to know is what schools are worth going to? - I mean, I already have a decade of work history and a good network of professionals in my field so pedigree seems to have lesser importance. What I am looking for is gaining skills to get me higher in my career. I am not interested in moving to DC and working for a think tank. If I had to choose a career outside of librarianship, it would likely be working as or with a City/County Manager or heading up a branch of State Government or perhaps working for a hospital in medical docs. Does a better rank school really make the difference in this case? Also, the above schools that I have looked into have fairly flexible programs. I am looking at 3-4 years before getting my degree. I was surprised to learn of the varying credit hour requirements, from 36 to 72?? (University of Washington). Are there better schools than what I listed for a person in my position - 3 kids, working, etc?