Hi everyone,
I have a bit of a head scratcher here. I have just been offered two opportunities about attending two amazing masters programs, and would love to have some external input. Below are my offers:
Carnegie-Mellon Heinz Masters of Science in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM): 2 year program with 50% tuition scholarship (about $50,000 total)
Syracuse Maxwell Masters in Public Administration (MPA): 1 year program with $38,000 merit scholarship, graduate assistantship where I will be compensated $15,800, and a $5,000 transition stipend for each each summer I attend (about $58,000 total)
I love the Heinz program because it is quant/programming based, and will provide many "hard" skills that I would want to be putting towards my public service career. I love the Maxwell program because it offers me an opportunity to work as a researcher while pursuing my degree, and will ultimately push me "up" towards my goal of a Ph.D in policy rather than "out" into the job market. My ultimate goal is to work in policy for a few years before returning to school to pursue a doctorate in policy. The focus of a future Ph. D would be to work in the industry (think tank, non-profit, governmental agency) before transitioning into academia as I get older.
Any feedback would be great, and feel free to fill out the poll! Thanks!