MPP or Higher Ed Master's Decisions

[mtn5h]

Hi everyone,

I am currently finishing my last semester as an undergraduate, and have applied to several MPP (or MPA depending on the school) and education programs, with a specific interest in higher education policy. I was strongly encouraged from my professor that a MPP would be more marketable/give me broader skills to apply to issues related to higher education finance, such as federal and state financial aid policies. Now that I've gotten accepted to both sets of programs, I am confused about which route to take.

I applied to Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies program, Rutgers MPP, and Princeton's Woodrow Wilson's MPA because they had more or less a concentration in education policy. As for education schools, I am strongly considering Maryland and Harvard's Higher Education programs (but are heavily policy-based). I am wondering if anyone can give me insight as to which program would be a better fit for my interests. I would like to pursue a Ph.D. soon after (not necessarily right after) my master's program because I want to go into higher ed research and policy. I ultimately want to work in some kind of government position, agency, organization, foundation, think tanks, etc. to contribute to research and evaluate programs related to higher education policies and access (ie. not an academic position).

I realize this choice comes down to whether I want to continue with a narrow focus, ie. going into a higher education program, or to broaden my focus to learn more about social and economic policies that affect/intersects with education policy. If anyone has specific comments about Hopkins, Maryland, or Harvard--those are my top 3 I think, I will greatly appreciate it!

[edgrad]

If you want to stay in higher ed and eventually get your Ph.D. in the field then getting your masters in higher ed might be a better match since you will have more networking opportunties. I would also say go to the program in the geographic area that you wish to work--if you want to want to work in DC/Maryland then Maryland or John Hopkins would be a great fit and if you wanted to work in the Boston area then Harvard would be the way to go.

I have also applied to higher ed and policy programs. The wait is killing me!

Hi everyone,

I am currently finishing my last semester as an undergraduate, and have applied to several MPP (or MPA depending on the school) and education programs, with a specific interest in higher education policy. I was strongly encouraged from my professor that a MPP would be more marketable/give me broader skills to apply to issues related to higher education finance, such as federal and state financial aid policies. Now that I've gotten accepted to both sets of programs, I am confused about which route to take.

I applied to Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies program, Rutgers MPP, and Princeton's Woodrow Wilson's MPA because they had more or less a concentration in education policy. As for education schools, I am strongly considering Maryland and Harvard's Higher Education programs (but are heavily policy-based). I am wondering if anyone can give me insight as to which program would be a better fit for my interests. I would like to pursue a Ph.D. soon after (not necessarily right after) my master's program because I want to go into higher ed research and policy. I ultimately want to work in some kind of government position, agency, organization, foundation, think tanks, etc. to contribute to research and evaluate programs related to higher education policies and access (ie. not an academic position).

I realize this choice comes down to whether I want to continue with a narrow focus, ie. going into a higher education program, or to broaden my focus to learn more about social and economic policies that affect/intersects with education policy. If anyone has specific comments about Hopkins, Maryland, or Harvard--those are my top 3 I think, I will greatly appreciate it!

[mtn5h]

Thanks edgrad! Do you know what your status is or what program (higher ed/policy) you're leaning towards? I'm still very conflicted, now mostly between Hopkins and Harvard. I'm worried that I won't be able to take as many methods classes in a higher ed program than I would in a policy program. I also spoke to my professor again today (who is an economist/ed policy researcher) and said that if I wanted to go into research than a Ph.D. in higher ed wouldn't be as helpful as a Ph.D. in policy. Harvard does have a professor whose work is exactly in higher ed policy (and also economist) which I am very excited about whereas there is no exact match at Hopkins. I do want to work in the DC/Maryland area though...but wondering how important the prestige/connections from Harvard would be for that area. Let me know what you think!

If you want to stay in higher ed and eventually get your Ph.D. in the field then getting your masters in higher ed might be a better match since you will have more networking opportunties. I would also say go to the program in the geographic area that you wish to work--if you want to want to work in DC/Maryland then Maryland or John Hopkins would be a great fit and if you wanted to work in the Boston area then Harvard would be the way to go.

I have also applied to higher ed and policy programs. The wait is killing me!

[edgrad]

Hi mtn5h! Right now I am leaning towards the higher ed program at Boston College. I am still waiting to hear from Harvard & Cornell. You really can't go wrong with Hopkins or Harvard. The plus side with Hopkins is that you might not have to move again after your program if you want to stay and work in the DC/Maryland area. But then again Harvard is so well known which can definitely help in getting a job once the program has ended. If you are seriously thinking about pursuing Harvard's doctorate then getting your degree from Harvard would also give you the much needed connections that would help with securing the advisor that you mentioned does research in an area that you are excited about. Did you get better funding at one school over another? At least for me funding is going to play a part in my final decision. Have you visited either school? If it is feasible to visit that might also be an option to help you pick a school. Let us know what you decide!

Thanks edgrad! Do you know what your status is or what program (higher ed/policy) you're leaning towards? I'm still very conflicted, now mostly between Hopkins and Harvard. I'm worried that I won't be able to take as many methods classes in a higher ed program than I would in a policy program. I also spoke to my professor again today (who is an economist/ed policy researcher) and said that if I wanted to go into research than a Ph.D. in higher ed wouldn't be as helpful as a Ph.D. in policy. Harvard does have a professor whose work is exactly in higher ed policy (and also economist) which I am very excited about whereas there is no exact match at Hopkins. I do want to work in the DC/Maryland area though...but wondering how important the prestige/connections from Harvard would be for that area. Let me know what you think!

[Conference_Girl]

"Broad" might mean no concentration, no expertise.

I do not know how having no expertise can be more advantageous in the market.

It's always better to have a concentration field when you get a 'graduate' degree.