Columbia SIPA vs Harvard GSE (Human Rights and Education)

[haupia]

Hi all! New to this board, so please be gentle...haha. I applied to international development programs at IR/public policy schools and international education policy programs. I'm sure there are several others out there, like me, who sort of stand at the middle of international development and education issues. Here's my background....

 

I worked in developing countries for 4 years, mainly in education, but a particular vein of human rights education in a politically unstable country during massive ongoing democratic reform. I was primarily involved with curriculum development, teaching, and conducting teacher trainings, where my students ranged from IDP youth camp volunteers to political prisoners. I was really blown away by the humanitarian application of education by my experience. My interest therefore is to take that another step, but I'm really unsure of how. I'd like to be a director of a program like that, somehow get involved higher up, or somehow get deeply involved with human rights work in other capacities. But am a bit lost as to the skill sets I'd need to do this.

 

That's where I'm trying to envision the grad school program coming in. Moving forward, I'm looking for a program that can make me competitive in the NGO world, and allows me to still work with those populations. I want to gain skills that are going to be well received. Again, pardon my vagueness here, as I'm still a bit lost as to what skill sets I need to develop.

 

I've been accepted to a number of education schools so far (Stanford IEPA, Harvard IEP) and IR/public policy schools (Columbia SIPA and Georgetown SFS) so far. I've talked to a Regional Senior Director of Save the Children, who says both types serve well:

 

The difference you have here is that two get you on a more technical path (education), while the one along a broader development management/policy type career.  Either of the degrees will be well received by the NGO world. 

 

I still am waiting to hear back from other programs, but they're all within the same two groups of programs I've applied for. If anyone who's graduated from these programs and have similar work experience to me would like to PM me sharing how much they liked/disliked their program, please do! I have heard from some already I've contacted (thank you so much for sharing your experiences, as they've all been insightful), and it's great to hear more experiences on this...especially since there's only a few weeks to decide!

 

(And of course, money is a massive issue, given the nature of the type of work I'm interested in...funding will definitely determine programs as well, but I'm just curious to hear from those who've completed these types of degrees if they were satisfied with their experience, and if it helped them significantly in their int. development career.)

[JJRADICK]

I would go to Harvard GSE! It has better reputation than SIPA.

I believe reputation is the key!

Edited March 16, 2015 by JJRADICK

[becca18]

I'm having the exact same debate! I've applied to both International education development and masters in development programs and I am not sure which type is best given my career goals. 

 

My background- I studied international studies undergrad and then went into teaching through TFA. I taught immigrants in Houston for 3 years, did a teacher exchange in Uganda and now for the past year and half I have been teaching Cambodia. I've seen how access to quality education programs affects many different aspects of development- health, gender equality, human rights etc...

 

I'm interested in working in the NGO world on the larger impact of education programs (UNCIEF, UN, Save the Children). So I"m not sure if a international education vs international development program is a better fit. I've noticed the Education programs are a year long where as the development ones are two years- trying to also weigh the pros/cons of both. 

 

I've been accepted to SAIS, Georgetown GHD, Trinity Dublin- Development practice, Columbia TC, and UPENN International edu devp and they all seem to have a good reputation, good faculty and good alumni outcomes. 

 

Any advice/insights on what you've heard or decided and from those who've gone through the programs with similar career aspirations would be greatly appreciated!

[ajcafe]

I'm interested in working in the NGO world on the larger impact of education programs (UNCIEF, UN, Save the Children). So I"m not sure if a international education vs international development program is a better fit. I've noticed the Education programs are a year long where as the development ones are two years- trying to also weigh the pros/cons of both. 

 

 

I currently work overseas in Int'l Development with USAID, so I'll share some of the professional advice I've received in case it helps:

 

Either program will get you jobs in the NGO and IGO world. The education degree is more specialized, so it will allow you to brand yourself as an 'education technical expert,' especially with your teaching background. The Int'l Development programs will be broader and expose you to various aspects and elements of int'l development. SAIS and Harvard have a heavy economic focus for their Int'l Dev programs, so that's something to keep in mind. 

 

If you know you want to specialize in Education Policy, the education programs might be better (and more cost-effective), but if you're looking to round out your education background and get a handle on the broader picture of 'development' then the other programs would provide you with that exposure. Either one will provide you with the credentials and connections you need to continue with your career in international education. I can't speak to opportunities in Dublin/London, though there are a number of strong int'l dev NGOs that operate there, but if you stay stateside - definitely try to do an internship or two in DC or NY where most of the UN and Aid organizations are located. Regardless of which program you choose, internships and networking will be key for post-graduation employment.

[haupia]

Thanks so much for the responses!! It's extremely helpful to hear employers' perceptions on both types of programs (and especially USAID -- I want to be an education officer for them!). I've had the opportunity to check out both Columbia SIPA and Harvard GSE, and I have a few thoughts on both programs:

 

• SIPA (being two years) provides more opportunities to understand the broader picture of development whereas HGSE wouldn't necessarily provide that (especially being one year)
• HGSE provides cross-registration (though only up to 4 classes) with the other schools at Harvard (Kennedy, Public Health) as well as Fletcher
• I've meet all types of SIPA and HGSE students who both praise and criticize their program:
  • The main issue I hear from SIPA students is that their career placement isn't very dedicated and that there's massive grade inflation.
  • I've met someone doing a dual Fletcher-HGSE degree (I actually got accepted to Fletcher too but am trying to be cost-effective with one degree) who tells me that Fletcher is a better choice than HGSE, primarily for the fact that the HGSE program doesn't go into the broader picture of development and paints only part of a picture for education specialists getting into the field.
• SIPA would have a summer internship component as well as the spring capstone, creating at least 2 opportunities for direct, in-country experience. HGSE offers virtual internships in certain courses (I know at least with UNICEF)
• Being in NYC and Boston respectively, SIPA is well suited for those interested in the UN, Human Rights Watch, International Rescue Committee; HGSE's primary connections seem to be UNICEF, UNESCO, a few going into FHI 360.
• SIPA is more oriented toward IR (obviously) but as such, more people seemed to understand my field experience. This is both with students and faculty. SIPA has connections with the country I worked in; HGSE not as much. Since it's an education school, most people are focused domestically -- the small International Ed Policy cohort is internationally focused, but the curriculum focuses on middle-income countries (China, Brazil) and not necessarily developing ones.

I was fortunate enough to receive $80k in funding from SIPA; with SIPA's program totaling about $140k, I'd be $60k. HGSE gave me $20k in funding; with HGSE's program totaling about $70k, it'd cost me $50k. So both programs are about the same price.

 

I'm not sure how much more beneficial it is to be in a program for 2 years versus 1 year. I feel like 2 years would provide more opportunities to gain depth in knowledge and networking than 1, but there's been several HGSE students I've talked to who've refuted this and told me the 1 year program of HGSE has been more than enough.

 

Decisions!

[haupia]

Oh, I've also found it helpful to do a school search on LinkedIn to see where people end up! I feel like a lot of HGSE graduates stay domestically to do work on international issues, whereas I've seen more SIPA grads actually work in other countries. I'm wondering if this has to do with the networks people built up over their program, or if they already had connections lined up previously.

Edited March 31, 2015 by haupia

[ajcafe]

It sounds like you're leaning more toward SIPA. Have you made a decision yet?

[haupia]

I haven't and I'm really struggling with this....

[ajcafe]

I feel your pain. It's hard to choose between great options. At this point, I think it's about personal preference. Both will provide you with the network, education, and diploma you need to advance in your career. Ultimately, the experience is what you make of it, so it's all about where you think you'll thrive. Where would you feel more comfortable? Which city/school will provide you with the type of learning and life experience you're looking for? 

 

You could always flip a coin and see how you feel about the outcome. If you're disappointed with the result of the coin toss, you'll know you're heart is set on the other school. 

[haupia]

After weeks of deliberation, I received interesting/weird advice from the director of Harvard's IEP program: he suggested I go to Columbia SIPA first since I was offered 80% tuition there and then consider applying to the IEP program again after I finish. The two degrees don't have to be mutually exclusive and he says that I would be an even stronger candidate after the first MIA. That's a lot of schooling, but hey -- it's a possbility.