Does "prestige" level of online MPA programs matter?

[AndyAirbender]

I'm currently about halfway through pursuing an undergrad degree in Public Administration, and I'm already looking ahead into getting into an MPA program after a couple years of work. I'm definitely wanting to work locally in local government/nonprofits, and attending a prestigious program far away from home is a non-option due to family. With that said, there is really no option for a brick and mortar school close enough in commuting distance, so I must find an online MPA program. My question focuses on the prestigious level of online programs. I, of course, am looking only at accredited NASPAA programs, but it is evident how some programs appear much more in-depth and respectable. For example, both Kent State and UNC's online MPAs are accredited by NASPAA, but UNC's program appears to be of such a high quality that both programs seem to be on different levels of respect. My question is, based on my career goals of working on the local level, does this type of "prestige" matter? Obviously the difference in Kent State's tuition of ~$20k to UNC's of ~$50k makes a huge difference financially which makes me want to go to Kent, but I want to ensure my professional degree will be respected. Thanks!

[ExponentialDecay]

Ask this to the people working in whatever institution you're aiming to work for, i.e. your future colleagues and the people who are going to be promoting you. Theirs is the only opinion that matters.

[AndyAirbender]

Very true. Thanks so much

[SerenityNow!]

I worked in local government for a bit and found that the majority of people working in local government attended the state's flagship school - I would check there to see if they offer an online MPA and strongly consider that one. That way your colleagues will have familiarity with your degree and you will get in-state tuition. It is definitely not worth it to go into debt for an MPA, especially if your long term goal is working in local government.

For reference, I attended the cheapest program I was accepted to and have had essentially the same career outcomes that my friends who attended fancier programs (e.g. HKS and Georgetown).  

 

[AndyAirbender]

Thanks so much for your comment. I have a question for what you mean by flagship school, though. I’m in Ohio and like I mentioned there is no MPA close to me, so I’d have to do online. So while OSU is probably the biggest “flagship” school that has a non-online MPA program, would Kent State count as a flagship school as what you mean in my circumstance, being that it is literally the only online MPA program in Ohio? Thanks!

[AndyAirbender]

12 hours ago, SerenityNow! said:

I worked in local government for a bit and found that the majority of people working in local government attended the state's flagship school - I would check there to see if they offer an online MPA and strongly consider that one. That way your colleagues will have familiarity with your degree and you will get in-state tuition. It is definitely not worth it to go into debt for an MPA, especially if your long term goal is working in local government.

For reference, I attended the cheapest program I was accepted to and have had essentially the same career outcomes that my friends who attended fancier programs (e.g. HKS and Georgetown).  

 

Forgot to quote you, wasn’t sure if you would see my reply. Read above, please. Thanks again!

[rising_star]

25 minutes ago, AndyAirbender said:

So while OSU is probably the biggest “flagship” school that has a non-online MPA program, would Kent State count as a flagship school as what you mean in my circumstance, being that it is literally the only online MPA program in Ohio? Thanks!

No. Kent State does not have the regional or national name recognition that Ohio State does.

[AndyAirbender]

23 minutes ago, rising_star said:

No. Kent State does not have the regional or national name recognition that Ohio State does.

I understand that, but what I’m asking is in my situation of trying to look for an online school and wanting to keep working locally, would going to the state-based online school be the best option theoretically?

[rising_star]

Why does it need to be one in your state if you're going online either way? IMO, an executive-style program that involves an intense weekend or two a month plus maybe 1-2 weeks in the summer would be ideal. 

[AndyAirbender]

I was simply describing the prospect of doing a state-based program based on the previous response by SerenityNow

[SerenityNow!]

I just re-read your original post and would recommend waiting a beat before considering MPA programs. When I was in local government for a suburb of a major city (top 5 in population) most people didn’t have MPAs. The ones that did earned them after working for a few years. I would recommend working for a few years and by then you will have a much better idea of where to go online or is an excecutive program would be a better fit. These are things that are almost impossible to know while you are in undergrad. 

I recommended state flagship earlier because the majority of people in your city will have gone there through a traditional program. I think an executive style program could also work - Im not sure how  common they are but I have never looked for one so I really have no idea. 

TL/DR - get some work experience and you will know what the right path is after working for 1-3 years. 

[AndyAirbender]

2 hours ago, SerenityNow! said:

I just re-read your original post and would recommend waiting a beat before considering MPA programs. When I was in local government for a suburb of a major city (top 5 in population) most people didn’t have MPAs. The ones that did earned them after working for a few years. I would recommend working for a few years and by then you will have a much better idea of where to go online or is an excecutive program would be a better fit. These are things that are almost impossible to know while you are in undergrad. 

I recommended state flagship earlier because the majority of people in your city will have gone there through a traditional program. I think an executive style program could also work - Im not sure how  common they are but I have never looked for one so I really have no idea. 

TL/DR - get some work experience and you will know what the right path is after working for 1-3 years. 

Thanks again so much, SerenityNow. This all makes sense. I do plan on working a few years before anything for sure, so I'll definitely have a better vision as to what to do by then. Have a good day!