Northeast MPA programs

[aspiringmaster]

As far as regional, top quality MPA programs go in Northeast, I've narrowed down my list to the following:

Albany, Penn (Fels), Pitt GSPIA, Cornell (CIPA)

How would you rank these programs against one another?

Any others I should be considering?

Edited January 10, 2012 by jfornof

[Rexbocker828]

Why not NYU Wagner? They have a pretty great program.

[aspiringmaster]

Cost of living is expensive and I don't want to be in NYC

[BigFaunt]

When faced with the same decision, I looked at a lot of schools (Berkeley, Heinz, Harvard, Princeton, and Penn to name a few) and ended up going with Fels at Penn. As you mentioned, the cost of living in NYC is expensive, whereas Philadelphia is not compared to most large cities. The other big factor for me was class size, and my classes so far have had about 25-40 students in them (I've been there for two semesters now), making it easier to stand out and interact with professors (all of whom have worked in their fields, and are not career academics).

If you have any specific questions, I'd be more than happy to help out.

[Ace001]

Hi BigFaunt,

I've applied to Fels for Fall 2012, specifically interested in the program because of its focus on local government issues and elective politics orientation. As an international applicant, I'm concerned that the curriculum might be very US centric...what has been your experience to date? (in terms of curriculum, faculty exposure and class experience). Also do you think that the practical approach of the school may serve as a disadvantage to an applicant who decides to pursue a PhD later?

Thanks.

When faced with the same decision, I looked at a lot of schools (Berkeley, Heinz, Harvard, Princeton, and Penn to name a few) and ended up going with Fels at Penn. As you mentioned, the cost of living in NYC is expensive, whereas Philadelphia is not compared to most large cities. The other big factor for me was class size, and my classes so far have had about 25-40 students in them (I've been there for two semesters now), making it easier to stand out and interact with professors (all of whom have worked in their fields, and are not career academics).

If you have any specific questions, I'd be more than happy to help out.

[BigFaunt]

So far, it's been an interesting mix. For example, I would say the concepts I've covered in 'hard skills', such as economics, statistics, budgeting, and performance management one could apply broadly. While my public management class focuses on issues with the U.S. government, to quote my professor in a lecture responding to a student with the same concern, "The U.S. system of governance, of public and private collaboration, is now so tangled and confusing, that if you do well in this class, you can do well anywhere." I would say that motto applies to most Fels classes (though there are honestly dozens more of them out there that I have not taken), that while the examples are generally about the U.S., the professors make sure the lessons gleamed are broad and/or difficult enough in nature to be educational for domestic and international students.

A large portion of my fellow full-time class (I'd guess about a third) are international students, so I will confer with them on this matter also and follow up for you.

As to the doctoral question, while I have several friends who are also working on a law degree, I don't know anyone planning to get a doctoral degree.

[Ace001]

Thank you BigFaunt for the reply. Fels MPA is my top choice and I am eagerly awaiting to hear from the school!