DC Area Public University MPA/P Programs

[BroadwayBetty]

I’ve been going a lot of research in the area, and trying to get the best bang for my buck.  It seems like there are some great public school MPA/P programs in the DC area that haven’t been discussed much recently.  Has anyone had any experience with these schools (good or bad?). GMU, UMD,  VT, UVA etc?   I’m especially looking at GMU.  

[Theevidentevaluator]

Hi @BroadwayBetty! I was recently accepted into UVA for their MPP. I really like their program because of the leadership focus and the rest of the curriculum's comprehensiveness. They also have a 100% job placement rate and the average income after finishing the program seemed high to me for public service - about $55,000. I also received a good financial aid package - I'm an in-state student and I received a $17,500 scholarship to cover the ~$28,000 tuition. In addition, the Batten School just received one of UVA's largest charitable gifts and they are aggressively trying to move up in the US News and World Report rankings, so a degree from their program will become more valuable. 

I went to school in the DMV (American) and stayed here for 4 years after I finished my degree. I am in an interesting position in that I actually want to move elsewhere now, as I want to experience another place, so I didn't apply to any schools within the Beltway.  However I applied to UVA because it's far away enough from DC to feel different but close enough that I can network and see friends frequently. 

I did look at a few GMU's programs last year when I was thinking about going to school part time and heard very good things about their MPP. I see the Schar School's faculty on TV quite frequently and generally think you would get a lot of bang for your buck as an in-state student.

I have a friend who is in UMD's MPP program and they've been very flexible in letting her pursue multiple different internships during her time there.

Edited March 7, 2019 by Theevidentevaluator

[went_away]

UMD has a great public policy program. GMU is at best a commuter school; I would stay away unless you want a quick and easy degree. UVA I don't know anything about - they're probably fine just case their brand is so strong in the DC area. Not sure why anyone would go to VT for public policy, great school but it's all about engineering and agriculture. 

[Amelia75]

I agree with went_away - UMD has a great public policy program and it's growing quickly. If you're interested in philanthropy and social innovation, check out their Do Good Institute.