MPP vs MPA vs IR

[APChips]

I’m applying to grad school in the near future and have been contemplating either getting a MPP, MPA, or an IR degree. I’m leaning towards an MPP but want to make sure my choice moves my career towards a foreign policy role at a think tank. From my research, it seems like IR delves into the theoretical side of foreign policy, MPP into the practical side of policy formulation and MPA into the practical side policy implementation and review. Is this a fair assessment? Thanks!!

Edited August 9, 2020 by APChips

[GradSchoolGrad]

Just now, APChips said:

I’m applying to grad school in the near future and have been contemplating either getting a MPP, MPA, or an IR degree. I’m leaning towards an MPP but want to make sure my choice moves my career towards a foreign policy role at a think tank. From my research, it seems like IR delves into the theoretical side of foreign policy, MPP into the practical side of policy formulation and MPA into the practical side policy implementation and review. Is this a fair assessment? Thanks for your help!!

1.  Are you really really really sure you want to go a think tank? It is not as glamorous as you think it is. Also, the most direct way to go to a think tank is actually with PhD. As a master's degree person, you'll forever be a 2nd class person at a think tank (with some exceptions, mostly the managerial route or politically oriented routes).

2. First off, it is a a bit difficult to do large generalizations of these degrees because there is a rather wide range in how they are handled/taught. For example. IR can range from being heavily quantitative (Johns Hopkins being the most famous example such) to being highly qualitative (Monterrey being a good example). MPP is generally more quantitative, but it is generally about the design, execution, and review of policy from an analytical framework. MPA crosses over into MPP, but generally there is a lot more emphasis on execution and management aspects of policy. 

3. In terms of what is competitive for foreign policy think tank roles, I would put them in these in clusters (notice how there are various degrees within). I may have missed some programs, but I like to think I mentioned most of the big hitters. 

Tier 1:

Harvard Kennedy School (MPP)

Johns Hopkins SAIS - MA in International Relations

Georgetown SFS (Master of Science in Foreign Service.. and maybe Security Studies Program if you are squarely security focused)

Columbia SIPA - whether you do the MIA or MPA , you should be fine either way. 

Tier 2:

George Washington Elliot School - IR degrees

Tufts Fletcher - the IR degrees (I know some people might think of Fletcher as tier 1, which I would agree for non-profit and state, but not think tank)

Syracuse University MPA (a bit of an awkward fit, but you can float into national security from this angle... as they have a robust research opportunities). 

Tier 3: 

American SIS - IR degrees (some might also view this as Tier 2, but not that strong of a Think Tank pipeline... at least from what I saw)

Middlebury Monterrey - IR degrees

Denver University - IR degrees