A Broad or Narrow Masters Degree

[mtn5h]

Hi everyone,

I've posted this question under its respective forums before, but I wanted to hear from a broader audience. I'm deciding between a MPP program at Hopkins, with a concentration in education, and a higher education program at Harvard. My main concern now is to decide if I want a broader degree or a more specific degree in higher education, which is what I am specifically interested in.

There is no specific faculty at Hopkins who does work in higher education, but I would learn more about broader social policy issues that affect education and most importantly, methods classes. I've talked to students who are interested in higher ed and they incorporate this interest into their class assignments, independent research, and internships. At Harvard there is a faculty whose research interests are exactly the same as mine--which I am very excited about! The program is one year--which is good or bad. I'm worried mostly that I would miss out on taking method/policy electives that I would take as Hopkins when I have a total of 8-10 classes for the entire year, but I would definitely take as many electives as possible in other policy fields/method classes. I know I can cross-register in the Kennedy school so I may get the best of both worlds. I am concerned about this issue of policy/methods classes because I do want to do a Ph.D. eventually--either in Public Policy or Education Policy.

I know its a bit comparing apples to oranges but it really is a question of a broader or narrow Masters degree. I've heard it both ways--a broader degree helps you find jobs easier, but speciifc may give you a level of expertise that will make you stand out among applicants. Hopkins has given me a lot of money, but if Harvard is a one year program then taking on a lot of loans (if needed) is manageable. I'm also wondering about the name brand issue between Hopkins/Harvard..and potential connections at Harvard directly in higher ed if that is the field I'm interested in.

Thanks everyone! I would appreciate all feedback from any discipline to see what people think.

[so47]

I have always been warned not to become too specialized, because it makes it very difficult to get jobs (as you said). That said, I'm not sure how specific "higher education" is in your field. If you had said "higher education of minorities in Ivy League institutions" then THAT sounds too specific to me. So I guess ask yourself, exactly how limiting is the "higher education" concentration?

And then brand name thing, I don't think you can go wrong with either! They are both great name schools that are well known and I'm sure have lots of connections.

Have you visited the programs? Don't cut out "fit." It seems minor, but for me at least the feeling I got when I visited my top 2 schools is what made the decision for me.

[Corbean13]

I am in the process of making a similar decision regarding Vanderbilt's MPP (with a focus in Ed Policy) or Georgetown's MPP. I attended Vandy undergrad (and really felt like I received an excellent education) for Special Education and have taught for the past 2 years. I am now interested in taking on some of the structural issues that have made teaching so frustrating. Anyway, I also have some interests in other social policy areas (juvenile justice, welfare reform, etc.), so I decided against a M.Ed. in Education Policy. In some ways, Vandy offers the best of both--an MPP, but with a focus on education. Georgetown, however, is known for their quant focus and good preparation in methodology. Also, I think, a more highly respected school for public policy (esp. considering Vandy is just starting out in this area). Vanderbilt is offering me a significant scholarship (close to, if not, full tuition) and Gtown has offered me 15K a year (although I could live with my parents to save money if I went there). That's my situation, in a nutshell. Please weigh in if you have suggestions! I am having a very hard time deciding what would be best for me.

I, too, am wondering how broad/specific to go. In your case, it sounds like you are pretty confident in what you want to study (and pursue a career in), so I think going specific is not a bad thing. However, I also think, based on your $$ situation (and the fact that you plan to go on to get a PhD), the MPP may be a better foundation. I don't know though...just some thoughts...

[mtn5h]

Thanks SO47 and Corbean!

SO47--I don't think higher ed is particularly too specialized either. However this week I finally took the plunge (not really sure why I thought that way) and looked up the alumni job placement. To my disappointment (maybe?) it appeared that 50% of graduates go into a higher ed management/administration field, 25% were still unemployed/seeking (which seems high for Harvard!), and the last 25% were split between government (and related) jobs and Ph.D. studies. So that worried me a bit, since I do want a government/foundation/think tank job. Then I looked up placement at Hopkins MPP and pretty much everyone goes into gov't/foundation/etc. work. THEN I finally took another plunge (something I've been procrastinating) and looked up people's degrees who work at places like College Board, Education Sector/Dept. etc and they all have a policy/gov't/etc. background. Soo as of this weekend I am leaning towards Hopkins. But I am visiting both schools at the end of this week, so we'll see how I feel my fit will be like!

Corbean--I chose to apply to Hopkins MPP because they had a concentration in education, so I think your Vandy offer sounds great. I didn't want to lose out completely on taking specific education policy classes, so I only applied to MPP schools w/ an ed concentration. But like you, I always look favorably on quant/methodology courses so...can you see what Vandy's approach is? Maybe they are quant focused as well, or maybe some qualitative. I know Hopkins stressed a balanced approach, which I like because I don't think you can study education strictly quantitatively, and you need at least some qualitative analysis of some issues. And I've always heard that younger programs may have more enthusiastic professors/maybe a smaller class size/etc...so that could be to your benefit. Maybe look up what the average class size at both schools are like, and see if you would be more comfortable in a smaller or larger group. Then maybe along with SO47's suggestion--to definitely visit both schools and see where you feel like you have a better fit.

Sigh I keep going back and forth between the two schools, but I am anxiously awaiting my funding news from Harvard and my visits this week! Keep us updated on any thoughts/decisions!

I am in the process of making a similar decision regarding Vanderbilt's MPP (with a focus in Ed Policy) or Georgetown's MPP. I attended Vandy undergrad (and really felt like I received an excellent education) for Special Education and have taught for the past 2 years. I am now interested in taking on some of the structural issues that have made teaching so frustrating. Anyway, I also have some interests in other social policy areas (juvenile justice, welfare reform, etc.), so I decided against a M.Ed. in Education Policy. In some ways, Vandy offers the best of both--an MPP, but with a focus on education. Georgetown, however, is known for their quant focus and good preparation in methodology. Also, I think, a more highly respected school for public policy (esp. considering Vandy is just starting out in this area). Vanderbilt is offering me a significant scholarship (close to, if not, full tuition) and Gtown has offered me 15K a year (although I could live with my parents to save money if I went there). That's my situation, in a nutshell. Please weigh in if you have suggestions! I am having a very hard time deciding what would be best for me.

I, too, am wondering how broad/specific to go. In your case, it sounds like you are pretty confident in what you want to study (and pursue a career in), so I think going specific is not a bad thing. However, I also think, based on your $ situation (and the fact that you plan to go on to get a PhD), the MPP may be a better foundation. I don't know though...just some thoughts...