Thoughts on Georgetown's Public Policy Insitute for a career in International Development?

[global444]

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the MPP program, International Policy and Development track, at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute. I'm interested in international development and ultimately want to work abroad with and NGO or USAID. How is the program regarded for that type of work?

I'm in an unusual situation. I returned from a few years of volunteer work abroad and applied to several of major IR programs. I was accepted to U Chicago, Duke, and SAIS. However, I recently got a job in the development field with an organization in DC that I really like, so I'm planning to defer school for a year anyway. Plus, if I stay at my job, I could have free tuition for grad school, so now I'm looking at other possibilities. SAIS or Georgetown MSFS (which I didn't apply to) would be my ideal degree, but neither has a part-time option, which GPPI does.

Much as I would love to go to SAIS, and would rather go to grad school full time than try to balance a full time job and part-time grad school, I have to consider finances. A free MPP, going into a field where I'm not going to be making a huge salary, may be a better decision than taking on $80-$100k in debt.

I hear a lot about Georgetown SFS, but not much about PPI. Anyone familiar with the program? Any current students or alum like or dislike it? How is it regarded among employers, especially in the international and international development sectors? Does it even matter that much where the degree is from in this field? Should I consider part time International Development programs at American and GW as well (assuming those exist, I haven't looked into them yet)?

Comments on what you would do in my situation are also welcome .