choosing between an mpa or mpp degree
TRANSCRIPT
A lot of people thinking of doing a public sector
Master degree get quite confused by the decision to
do either do it in Public Administration or Public
Policy. It feels like a critical decision at the time but
- believe me - it’s not. Both courses are broadly
similar and there are no employers that differentiate
between the nuances of the two (at most they
usually only specify a “post graduate qualification in
public policy”).
However, where they do differ is in the content of
the course and so it worth thinking about which one
you are more suited to before applying. Seeing as
I’ve graduated from both degrees now (MPA
from LSE and MPP from LKYSPP), here is my take
on what the main differences are.
Firstly, MPA courses tend to be more focused
towards individuals with a career focus within
government bureaucracy, while an MPP is a
broader education and could be more useful to
those seeking jobs in the non-government sector.
This difference is reflected in the gap in graduate
… MPA courses tend to be more focused
towards individuals with a career focus within
government bureaucracy…
… MPA courses tend to be more focused
towards individuals with a career focus within
government bureaucracy…
CHOOSING BETWEEN AN MPA OR MPP DEGREE
Jonathon Fleg g j.c. f leg [email protected]
CHOOSING BETWEEN AN MPA OR MPP DEGREE
Jonathon Fleg g j.c. f leg [email protected]
Jonathon Flegg holds an MPA from the London School of Economics and an MPP from the Lee Kuan Yew
School of Public Policy in Singapore. He is a former energy policy adviser at NSW Parliament in Sydney,
Australia and an aid programme coordinator for Thailand’s Department of Public Health. His clients have
included Britain’s Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Asian Development Bank in Manila. He is a
regular blogger and has contributed to the book The Big Society: The Anatomy of the New Politics. He is
passionate about economic development in South East Asia and the Pacific and about politics in his native
Australia.
Jonathon Flegg holds an MPA from the London School of Economics and an MPP from the Lee Kuan Yew
School of Public Policy in Singapore. He is a former energy policy adviser at NSW Parliament in Sydney,
Australia and an aid programme coordinator for Thailand’s Department of Public Health. His clients have
included Britain’s Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Asian Development Bank in Manila. He is a
regular blogger and has contributed to the book The Big Society: The Anatomy of the New Politics. He is
passionate about economic development in South East Asia and the Pacific and about politics in his native
Australia.
salaries, with MPP graduates earning US$11,000
less on average than those leaving with MPAs1.
Both are viewed similarly by the private sector.
The nature of student body might also lean towards
a slightly older crowd for MPAs (often bureaucrats
being sponsored for a year to “tool up”) while MPPs
are often younger and still without a set career
path. On average MPA courses tend to be shorter.
At LKYSPP the MPA is a one year intensive, while
the MPP is a more laid back two year course, which
gives you the chance to dabble in a number of
different policy areas.
Secondly, MPA courses tend to be more rigorous in
terms of the economic and econometric skills you’ll
be learning. The LSE MPA in particular is extremely
rigorous in econometrics. You come out of it feeling
like you’ve learned a very robust economic “toolkit”
that you could apply to all manner of policy
problems. For instance, I felt like I would have no
problem applying for trade or financial analyst
positions after my MPA from LSE. However to be
honest there are tonnes of public policy jobs out
there where you will never have to run a regression
– ever – so it’s up to you to decide if you think that
is a necessary part of your training.
On the other hand, MPP courses tend to be a little
lighter on the economics but probably give you
more scope to concentrate on specific areas of
public policy – health, education, infrastructure, etc.
Classes will focus more on real world case studies
rather than on economics literature and textbooks.
Alternatively if you want to get a broad cross-
section of policy areas that is usually possible too in
an MPP degree.
My final generalisation might be at risk of being a
bridge too far, but I think it’s worth saying anyway.
MPA courses are designed more for future
administrators who seek to successfully evaluate a
range of policy options, while MPPs are more for
policy practitioners who hope to design good policy
proposals.
I’ve enjoyed studying both immensely and was
lucky enough to do a dual degree where I could do
both. If you’re looking for a truly international
experience check out the dual degree
arrangements between LSE (London), SIPA (New
York), Sciences Po (Paris), LKYSPP (Singapore)
and Hertie (Berlin).
I’m naturally attracted to economic policy and felt
econometrics was a real “value added” skill that I
could take-away so probably enjoyed the MPA
more, but to be honest that’s just me. Lots of
students at LSE disliked the course for the same
reason I really enjoyed it. They felt that it was too
light on teaching the kind of management skills that
you will be using to solve real world policy
problems. For those considering LSE as a possible
destination, bear in mind the School is attempting to
compete with Kennedy School’s “practical” MPA by
providing a more “theoretical” alternative. It you
don’t like brain-twisting quantitative work then
LSE’s MPA might not be the place to start.
1 Carnevale, A.P, Strohl J. and Melton, M. 2011. “What’s it worth:
the economic value of college majors”. Retrieved from:
http://cew.georgetown.edu/whatsitworth/.
… there are tonnes of public policy jobs out there
where you will never have to run a regression –
ever – so it’s up to you to decide if you think that is
a necessary part of your training.
… there are tonnes of public policy jobs out there
where you will never have to run a regression –
ever – so it’s up to you to decide if you think that is
a necessary part of your training.