To get an MPA or an MPP, oh what oh what shall I do?

[carpediemf]

Hi all,

I am so up in the air as to which degree is best for what I want to do. The good news is that I have narrowed the list down to an MPA or MPP but I am up in the air and would love any feedback.

I know the MPP is more quant heavy. I have a fear of math and so for the longest time had been leaning towards MPA. I want to work in the nonprofit sector, perhaps creating and/or managing my own nonprofit most likely concentrated on international issues.

And so I would really love some feedback from people about the benefits and drawbacks of each degree as it pertains to entering the nonprofit world. I am beginning to feel as though the MPA is a functional degree, but one that might limit me in what I want to get done.

Any thoughts on the matter would be much appreciated.

I would love any information on how calc heavy a school like SPPD is. Stats and econ, I feel I could do. But calc frightens me!

[greendiplomat]

Hi all,

I am so up in the air as to which degree is best for what I want to do. The good news is that I have narrowed the list down to an MPA or MPP but I am up in the air and would love any feedback.

I know the MPP is more quant heavy. I have a fear of math and so for the longest time had been leaning towards MPA. I want to work in the nonprofit sector, perhaps creating and/or managing my own nonprofit most likely concentrated on international issues.

And so I would really love some feedback from people about the benefits and drawbacks of each degree as it pertains to entering the nonprofit world. I am beginning to feel as though the MPA is a functional degree, but one that might limit me in what I want to get done.

Any thoughts on the matter would be much appreciated.

I would love any information on how calc heavy a school like SPPD is. Stats and econ, I feel I could do. But calc frightens me!

I think it's a mistake to choose a degree based on what 3 letters you're going to put on your resume. While MPPs tend to be geared towards policy analysis, there are definitely many quant-heavy MPAs as well (e.g. Columbia). This said, if your career goal is to create and/or manage your own nonprofit, I think you should be on the look-out for degrees with strong non-profit management components.

Do you mind being more specific about the field you want to enter? You say that "international issues", but that's not saying much.

Thanks, and good luck on your search!

[dagger]

I think it's a mistake to choose a degree based on what 3 letters you're going to put on your resume. While MPPs tend to be geared towards policy analysis, there are definitely many quant-heavy MPAs as well (e.g. Columbia). This said, if your career goal is to create and/or manage your own nonprofit, I think you should be on the look-out for degrees with strong non-profit management components.

Do you mind being more specific about the field you want to enter? You say that "international issues", but that's not saying much.

Thanks, and good luck on your search!

I would agree with the above poster. To find the right school or program, I'd first begin looking at the core courses each school requires you to take. You may find MPPs with few quantitative requirements or MPAs with several. Beyond those requires courses, you can make an MPP or MPP essentially whatever you wish. Also, look for schools that offer specific focuses on non-profit management. I offer the link below only as an example of how some schools specifically show they provide focuses in non profit management.

Also, check to see if there are any business courses at prospective schools that you could take that would interest you. Best of luck.

http://fordschool.umich.edu/curriculum/mpp.php#public