MPA/ID vs MPA-DP?

[economist_in_drag]

I was accepted to both MPA-DP (Development Practice) at SIPA and MPA/ID (International Development) at HKS, and deciding hard which one to choose.

Can anyone please help me compare relative strength and weaknesses of the two programs? My sense is that MPA/ID is much more quantitative and academically rigorous?

[palabared]

Congrats on the being admitted to two great programs!!

By the research I've done on the MDP programs, I think the Masters in Development practice would be much more hands on and training in a more practical sense comparatively. I think it depends on what you want to do with the degree? Development is so broad!!

I was accepted to both MPA-DP (Development Practice) at SIPA and MPA/ID (International Development) at HKS, and deciding hard which one to choose.

Can anyone please help me compare relative strength and weaknesses of the two programs? My sense is that MPA/ID is much more quantitative and academically rigorous?

Edited March 19, 2011 by palabared

[Diesel2011]

I considered applying to both programs but ultimately applied only to the MPA-DP at SIPA. I did not apply to HKS b/c their program is very economics-centric. So, they produce graduates who work primarily in economic development - like at the World Bank. The MDP programs are very hands-on and interdisciplinary - with social sciences, natural sciences, econ, and management training, and I think they prepare much better for field-level, practical management of multifaceted development programs.

[DCA-John]

Don't know much about the SIPA program, although I'd imagine it's similar to the sustainable development PhD program the Earth Institute started a few years ago. I'm doing the MPA/ID this fall. My impression would be that it depends on where you want to go after you're done. If you want to go to the World Bank / IMF then go to Harvard. Columbia would be better if you wanted to go to an NGO (CARE, Save the Children, etc. etc..)