What can you do with MPA/MPP degrees?

[sisyphus1]

Hi all, I have some very specific questions that I was hoping this forum could answer.

To give a little background, I will be obtaining my MS in Statistics this coming semester and I am looking at MPA/MPP programs (I am working full time while going to school part time, so it's not like I am a degree collector or anything ). I've been working in finance for the past 3 years and while the money is great, I find the work very unfulfilling and thus I've been looking for public service jobs. My questions are:

1) My main interest is in using advanced statistical methods to guide public policy decisions (e.g. how to best allocate funding to different projects, what factors drive ncrease in standards of living) - are there any schools that would be a good fit for me for this purpose? A lot of the MPA/MPP programs seem to be mostly qualitative in nature with a few quant courses sprinkled here and there, and I want it to be the other way around. Would an MPA/MPP program even be the right degree to do something like this (maybe this would be more for a MA/phD in econ?).

2) While money isn't the main factor (if it were, then I would be staying in finance), I want to be able to make enough to comfortably provide for my family. How realistic would it for me to expect 200K~300K (pre-tax) income in the public sector mid-career (say, when I am 35~40ish) with an MPA?

3) Are there consulting firms that specifically do consulting for the public sector?

4) Would it be possible for me to be admitted to top MPA/MPP programs without directly related work-experience (I volunteer regularly and I've taken some MPA courses at the school that I am doing MS degree, but will that be enough?)

5) How do MPA/MPP programs perceive those coming from the private sector?

Thanks all!

[MYRNIST]

1) You sound like a PERFECT fit for Johns Hopkins SAIS. It is arguably the most prestigious MPP/MPA school in the world, and more than that, has a very very quant-focused curriculum. It is mandatory that at least half of your entire curriculum, regardless of field concentration, consists of economics coursework. If you want to focus on particularly math-y topics like international finance, the percentage of quant classes is even higher.

2) U.S. government jobs are paid according to a set system of bands (GS-6, GS-7, etc.) that are all publicly available. Look at the OMB page for jobs you envision yourself having, and see their salary.

3) Tons. The U.S. government is one of the biggest customers of consulting services in the world. Booz Allen Hamilton is a particularly giant government-focused consultant, but there are many others (SAIC, Raytheon, Carlisle, etc.)

4) That will be uphill sledding, but if you create a compelling narrative in your personal statement about why you are switching fields, and how your experience in finance will translate to public service, you can definitely do it.

5) Quite well. MPP/MPA programs are professionally oriented, so there is no stigma to being a working professional rather than an academic, as there would be for a PHD program.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

[sisyphus1]

Thanks!

Are there any other quantitatively-oriented programs that I should be considering? Seems like SIPA/HKS are more on the qualitative side but my research has been cursory to say the least.

[Clay Made]

Chicago Harris' MPP is quite quantitative in nature.

[avr2012]

I don't know that characterizing SAIS (or SIPA, or similar schools that bill themselves as such) as "very, very quant-focused" is quite correct. For most of the students who attend SAIS and programs like SAIS (those from a typical political science, history, or international affairs background), the economics coursework will be more 'quantitative' than their previous coursework in the sense that it requires a bit more analytical thinking, the ability to read empirical papers, graphical/algebraic analysis, and occasionally some basic calculus. But you won't see much by way of multivariate calculus, real analysis, differential equations, or mathematical statistics at these schools, in part because policy analysis doesn't really require these tools (with the exception of maybe mathematical stats). At most, at least with respect to SAIS, you might encounter some linear algebra in the second- and third-semester Econometrics sequence, but my understanding from the students I know there is that these courses rarely have sufficient enrollment/interest to be offered. In any case, the goal of these courses is not to make you an econometrician, but simply to enable you to read (intelligently) work that uses econometric methods.

In short, with your MS in statistics, the IR brand of 'quantitative' schools may not offer what you are looking for (i.e. you'll already have had most/all of the material). I would definitely look more closely at a PhD in economics, if you are interested in doing more advanced statistical work. A master's in economics would also be decent, but you should understand that MAs in economics in the U.S. (with the exception of the programs at Duke and NYU) are not that well respected (or rigorous).

[MYRNIST]

That's a solid point; what seems "very quant-focused" to me, coming from a poli sci and area studies background, probably wouldn't even move the needle for a MS stats person.

[piquant777]

Yes, it seems to depend on what you want to get out of your degree. If you are very quant-heavy already but want a solid background in public management for example, or a regional specialty in the international realm, then you may be better off going to a program that is known for those things (Fletcher, with its MIB program and Georgetown SFS with its regional specialties come to mind). HKS is actually extremely economics and econometrics heavy and I do not think it has a qualitative program reputation by any means.

As for the salary question...200k-300k seems very steep for both the public and nonprofit sectors. The federal job salary tiers previously mentioned do not go up to $200k even at the highest tier and step in the most expensive city (federal pay is adjusted by region). And I'm pretty sure only executive directors at non-profits make even $100k+ range salaries. Consulting might be your best bet for pay + interesting issues with personal reward, though I would argue that the latter is always the more important of the two.

Edited December 19, 2011 by piquant777

[Chengcheng]

the MPP program in Georgetown is also very quantitative. In term of the salary, if you do non-profit consulting in private sector, it is reasonable to earn 200k-300k if you are senior. World Bank Groups such as IMF, IFC could provide that level of salary if your are very senior.

[carpecc]

At SIPA you have access to Columbia econ and stats departments and take classes outside of SIPA for credit. Plenty of my classmates majored in or have an MA in econ, engineering or finance (though non I know in stats). You'd be able to take a placement test to place out of the SIPA stats courses and go straight to the more advance econ modeling courses. While most classes won't require your current level of stats, you can utilize your background in the projects and research, some of which are very flexible. So for example a GIS specialist classmate utilized his GIS skills to great effect in the first year politics of policy making course to visualize a system of indicators his group created. It was a hit.

The SIPA courses are going to be generally more qualitative, but probably can give you the knowledge you need to apply your stats in the public sector, plus you can take advantage of Columbia's great stats department.

Personally I think a PhD is a little much (5+ years). Also you'll be able to make a living, but don't expect USD 200-300k/yr unless you move back into finance.

There are plenty of public sector consultants. Booz Allen, Chemonics, MSI and DAI are a few.

If you're focused specifically on policy, then I've also heard good things about Maryland and Duke. I know that they focus heavy on the policy side, but don't know much beyond that.