devguy

Hello All, Well, as many people are also doing, I am trying to make a tough choice between two great programs, both of which have a lot of similarities, but have their subtle differences as well, which probably bear on career choice very much. I have been accepted to Georgetown SFS's new Master's in Global Human Development, with no funding. The program is brand new and is supposedly a "holistic" approach to international development. The program is very small, having apparently only accepted about 20 people. From the look of the site, and the faculty, and SFS's reputation as a whole, it seems heavily focused on USAID careers (at least via faculty having extensive AID experience and careers), and of course major DC development contractors. SFS's reputation is hard to beat, but the focus on DC careers, and the fact that it is brand new bring some doubts. On the hand, I was also accepted to and seriously considering Columbia SIPA, MPA in Development Practice, also with no funding (but "potential" funding for second year...unclear what that actually means). The program is also relatively new (2 years old??), and seems to have been created with some pretty lofty goals in mind (creating professionals to address the millenium development goals). Clearly more "rock star" professors attached to SIPA in general, and the program in particular (Jeffrey Sachs created it and still serves as its main advisor), but of course there remain serious questions as to how much contact students will actually have with the better known profs. Program is also small (apprx. 40 students). The degree is very hands on, primarily geared toward producing people who are practitioners and probably looking to go back in the field. It's a tough decision, and I've gotten advice from many different people that goes all over the place, some say go one way, others another. Mainly, I believe the SIPA program is more science driven, and is probably doing more innovative stuff in the field, with loftier goals. Georgetown, however, is possibly better for US professional development (at least for a US-based career, and most certainly for a DC-based career). SIPA is more exciting in terms of brand name of school and professors, but suprisingly their employment rates are not stellar (about 85% for traditional MPA program, vs. 98% for Gtown's flagship MSFS program). NY beats DC any day as a city, but many swear by DC for its professional contacts, and especially for development. The Gtown program is brand new, so there is a lot unknown about it. This at once poses some problems, but affords some opportunity for a lot of individual attention. Both programs are clearly practitioner based. Any thoughts, advice, or inside knowledge about these programs would be greatly appreciated. I guess it would help to say my career goals are not to go back into the field immediately, but rather to work in HQ, maybe in World Bank, or similar organizations, or private development contractors. Thanks so much.