Duke Sanford or SIPA ?

[ss1987]

Any advice, especially from current students would be great!

 I have partial funding from Duke, and none from SIPA, and I'm planning on going into the public or nonprofit sector, in international development.

 From the research I've done SIPA is stronger in the international focus, and being in nyc would be a huge advantage - but there is no guarantee that you'll get enough funding 2nd year even with great grades.

 Sanford is an incredible program and it seems like they value their students more - but SIPA is stronger in the areas I want to specialize in.

 Is SIPA worth the debt - possibly double what I'd be facing with Duke?

 Would my career/internship options be comparable, and I should follow the money?

 

 Thanks!

[campussartorialist]

I cannot speak to SIPA, but I was a Duke undergraduate public policy major. I was also accepted to MPP/MPA programs at both of the schools you've mentioned with similar offers of funding. Are you accepted as MPP or MIDP at Duke?

Sanford is an incredible place that gives, as you mentioned, specialized attention to its students. The career services department is phenomenal (they will remember you and you can make appointments whenever you'd like). Duke has a very strong and active alumni network in NYC and they will give access to an alumn database where you can match with those in your field. The alum network is also huge in DC if you have public sector interest.

I also found the Global Health department a great resource for international nonprofit work. Duke's Global Health Institute is top in the country and most of its faculty cross-list at Sanford. Many, many of them are doing research abroad and frequently invite students to tap into the nonprofits they are collaborating with.

I also found the research triangle area surprisingly rich in international policy organizations, though these are almost always research oriented.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions!

Edited March 19, 2013 by campussartorialist

[ss1987]

Thank you! I'm in for the MPP at Duke. I feel very lucky to be making this decision, but it still is a difficult one! I know SIPA has more faculty specializing in my areas of interest, but I get the sense Duke professors are more accessible, and there would be good research/interning opportunities at both schools.

 I'm thinking SIPA debt isnt worth it when I still have a really great option?

[mariiiiie]

Hi!

 

Thanks for the information! I'm in for MIDP at Duke.

Do you know in what fields are the international policy organizations in the Research Triangle? I'm especially looking to work in International Development, are there many?  And also do you know how strong is Duke in the international development field compared to other schools?

 

Thanks!

[mppbluedevil13]

SS1987, 

 

I am a current MPP student at Sanford and I must say it has been a fantastic experience.  I came to the program with 8+ years of public sector experience in the area of international development and made lots of international development contacts/networks during my time in DC.  I must say that the Duke network has blown me away in terms of how connected they are in DC in the fields of international development, health, education, economic development, environment etc.  As campussartorialist indicated, the Sanford and Duke networks are very accesible and very willing to help current students find internships/jobs etc.  Also, Sanford houses the Duke Center for International Development (DCID) - which is a great resource and there are plenty of opportunities to take classes there and conduct research with DCID professors.  Also, many of the professors that teach the core classes for the MPP (stats, econ etc.) are actively conducting research in several areas of international development.  As a result, a lot of the examples in our core classes are international development-related.  Many of my colleagues will be interning with UN agencies in Brussels this summer while  others will be with agencies like USAID in Rawanda and UNHCHR in Jordan.  If you are interested in global policy/international development, I think you will find Sanford to be a very stimulating enviornment!

 

Please let me know if you have any additional questions as I would be more than happy to answer them!  

[mppbluedevil13]

Marie, 

 

Please see my post to SS1987.  The triangle is home to several organizations engaged in international development, mostly in the fields of health and education - although, RTI and FHI 360 are huge USAID contractors cased in the Triangle that conduct research and implement projects in a wide array of development fields. 

 

As you can probably tell, I think Duke is very strong in the area of international development!  The MIDP program at Sanford is like 90% international and consists of mostly mid-career professionals.  The average amount of work experience for the MPP program is like 2-6 years.  The MIDP program is really good and I am continually impressed by the quality of the MIDP students. 

[ss1987]

Thank you!! This has been very helpful!

I'm in for the MPP - would I still be able to take some of the MIDP classes?

[mppbluedevil13]

SS1987, 

 

Congratulations on your admission to Sanford! 

 

As an MPP, you can absolutely take MIDP classes.  However, you will probably only be able to take a couple MIDP courses during your first-year as you will have four core classes during the first semester and three to four during the second semester.  Your second year, you can really begin to start taking more electives (i.e., MIDP courses) and you can definitely do your Master's Project on an international development related topic.  In addition, I assume that you would probably be interested in conducting your summer internship in between your first and second year in the area of international development.  Also, you can select a policy track in global policy or international development.  Finally, you can acquire a certificate from the Duke Center for International Development in International Development if you take six international development related courses (mostly MIDP courses but some MPP courses count as well).  All in all, you can make your Sanford MPP as international development focused as you want it to be.  And if you do, as I indicated above, I think you will find it to be a very rewarding experience!

 

Please don't hesitate to send any more questions my way!

 

Best,

mppbluedevil13

[mariiiiie]

Thanks for all the precisions, it is indeed very helpful!