Good Programs that Focus on State/City Gov't

[Lindsey G]

I'm interested in an MPA program that focuses more on state/city gov't. Do you have an recommendations? So far I like Brown, but it seems a bit generalized. I'm not opposed to programs that have a general management/administration focus.

I'm not horrible at math, but I'm no genius either. So while I'm not math adverse, I do not want to spend a significant amount of time focusing on stats, econ, and the like. Any recommendations in this area?

[coaks]

I'm interested in an MPA program that focuses more on state/city gov't. Do you have an recommendations? So far I like Brown, but it seems a bit generalized. I'm not opposed to programs that have a general management/administration focus.

I'm not horrible at math, but I'm no genius either. So while I'm not math adverse, I do not want to spend a significant amount of time focusing on stats, econ, and the like. Any recommendations in this area?

It wasn't my primary interest when I was applying so unfortunately I can't be as helpful as I'd like to be, but check out the program at NYU Wagner to see if it sounds like something that would be a good fit.

Also, people say Maxwell and UGA are real good general MPAs. You also can't go wrong with something from WWS/HKS/etc.

[Minerva473]

It wasn't my primary interest when I was applying so unfortunately I can't be as helpful as I'd like to be, but check out the program at NYU Wagner to see if it sounds like something that would be a good fit.

Also, people say Maxwell and UGA are real good general MPAs. You also can't go wrong with something from WWS/HKS/etc.

I'm attending the Maxwell School at Syracuse U this coming year. State and local government isn't my thing but I've heard Maxwell is top notch for that sort of thing (not sure if I'm remembering rankings, marketing or things people have told me).

[Dreams]

I'm interested in an MPA program that focuses more on state/city gov't. Do you have an recommendations? So far I like Brown, but it seems a bit generalized. I'm not opposed to programs that have a general management/administration focus.

I'm not horrible at math, but I'm no genius either. So while I'm not math adverse, I do not want to spend a significant amount of time focusing on stats, econ, and the like. Any recommendations in this area?

In addition to what has been mentioned, you may want to check out the Heinz school at Carnegie Mellon.

[narius]

In addition to what has been mentioned, you may want to check out the Heinz school at Carnegie Mellon.

UGA, Fels (Upenn), and Albany

[mulberry]

My recommendation is that if you want to work in a particular state or city, then you might want to consider a school in that state. So for example, if you want to work in Texas, the LBJ school at UT seems like a good choice. Schools can have better regional support and alumni networks that way. Also, a lot of the less well known schools probably carry a lot more local prestige that even if they aren't necessarily ranked high.

[fadeindreams]

My recommendation is that if you want to work in a particular state or city, then you might want to consider a school in that state. So for example, if you want to work in Texas, the LBJ school at UT seems like a good choice. Schools can have better regional support and alumni networks that way. Also, a lot of the less well known schools probably carry a lot more local prestige that even if they aren't necessarily ranked high.

Not a bad recommendation at all.

I would add University of Kansas and University of Washington to the list of nationally recognized schools that have good programs for city/local/state management.

[Octavia]

I'm interested in an MPA program that focuses more on state/city gov't. Do you have an recommendations? So far I like Brown, but it seems a bit generalized. I'm not opposed to programs that have a general management/administration focus.

I'm not horrible at math, but I'm no genius either. So while I'm not math adverse, I do not want to spend a significant amount of time focusing on stats, econ, and the like. Any recommendations in this area?

From my perspective, the way to go is to first get a job with state/local government (entry level), work a few years and listen to what people there are saying. My friends, who started in a similar fashion usually went for MPAs, law or business degrees at schools recommended by their offices (of course, those degrees would be fully funded by governor's office or city hall). One of my friends went to HKS to get her MPP with concentration on city government finance and her supervisor at City Hall is actually teaching at Kennedy. Another went for an MBA at Harvard, which was also recommended as the right path by her supervisor at the governor's office. Both also had jobs lined up after graduation, i.e. they went back to their offices and got promoted.

Keep on looking. If you are really interested in local/state government, I think the best way to go is the path described above.

[Lindsey G]

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions. I've been looking at Fels and UPenn, which look very interesting. I was not aware of Kansas or Washington's programs and I'll be looking at those, too.

Eventually I would like to move back to the Bay Area so I will apply to UC Berkley. SF State has a program, but I don't know anything about it's reputation. Is it a decent program?

For the past five years I've been a administrative manager for a state gov't. and was recently promoted to head my project. Octavia, your suggestion seems very sound-- just not quite sure it'd work for me here. There are no PA programs within the state I am currently working and even if there were, I'm not too keen on the level of education those institutions would offer. Besides, as I said, I'd like to go back to the Bay Area. Maybe I could find someone in city gov't. there, however, who could offer some suggestions.

Thank you again for all of the great suggestions!

Edited May 13, 2010 by Lindsey G

[pea-jay]

For the past five years I've been a administrative manager for a state gov't. and was recently promoted to head my project. Octavia, your suggestion seems very sound-- just not quite sure it'd work for me here. There are no PA programs within the state I am currently working and even if there were, I'm not too keen on the level of education those institutions would offer. Besides, as I said, I'd like to go back to the Bay Area. Maybe I could find someone in city gov't. there, however, who could offer some suggestions.

Thank you again for all of the great suggestions!

This is a terrible time for state and local governments in CA. I know, I work for one and have been since 2002. (Non Federal) Governments experienced the recession later than the private sector, but now the pain is hitting full force. My department has been cut by 10 employees (1/3rd) over the past year and at all levels. I'm not convinced I will wind up back in local government in NY, at least right away since they appear to be in the same boat. That said, by the time you complete a program, things should be beginning to improve and prior to that there shouldn't be any reason why you cant intern at one or more jurisdictions (which would be invaluable for networking) while you are in school. One plus for the bay area is they are comparatively affluent and are full of different jurisdictions that need management at all levels.

[Lindsey G]

This is a terrible time for state and local governments in CA. I know, I work for one and have been since 2002. (Non Federal) Governments experienced the recession later than the private sector, but now the pain is hitting full force. My department has been cut by 10 employees (1/3rd) over the past year and at all levels. I'm not convinced I will wind up back in local government in NY, at least right away since they appear to be in the same boat. That said, by the time you complete a program, things should be beginning to improve and prior to that there shouldn't be any reason why you cant intern at one or more jurisdictions (which would be invaluable for networking) while you are in school. One plus for the bay area is they are comparatively affluent and are full of different jurisdictions that need management at all levels.

Hey pea-jay-- sorry to hear about your department's cuts, but congratulations on surviving it. Our state gov't too has experienced significant layoffs and furloughs. I know CA has had a rough patch, but as you said I hope that by the time I'm graduate in two or three years that things will have stabilized. The bottom line for me is that I want to return home and that's worth any of the crap that may be going on.

BTW, I see that you're in wine country...if you don't mind sharing, Sonoma or Napa? I went to high school in Santa Rosa and then lived in Napa for a few years. It was a really nice place to grow up. I hope you're enjoying it.

[lanetobia]

look into rutgers....there is certainly a link to state and local government in both the MPA program and at the bloustein school.

[JustChill]

I definitely second University of Kansas. I've heard great things about their program from two of my friends. My best friend graduated from their program two years ago and landed his top desired job in Philly within weeks.