Both the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Master of Public Policy (MPP) are strong, valuable, recognized degrees. When prospective students see that they can earn an MPA with a concentration in public policy, they often ask: "What distinguishes the two degrees?"
At GWU, the basic structures (and amount of coursework) are virtually identical. However, the degrees do have distinctions in terms of the course emphases and recommended fields of concentration, as summarized below.
Parallel structures
Both: 40 total credit hours of courses
Both: The same initial "research methods and applied statistics" course work
Both: The same introductory "policy analysis" course work
Master of Public Administration
Core courses require more classes in administration and leadership.
Core courses cover more about management.
Master of Public Policy
Core courses require more classes in economics and statistics.
Core courses cover more about policy research & analysis.
Fields of concentration include:
Budget and Public Finance
Federal Policy, Politics and Management
International Development Management
Government Contracting
Managing State and Local Governments
Nonprofit Management
Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
Public-Private Policy and Management
In addition, any of the fields in the MPP are possible in the MPA. Or a student may (in consultation with their advisor and approval from the MPA program) design a specially tailored and/or interdisciplinary policy field
Fields of concentration include:
Budget and Public Finance
Education Policy
Environmental Policy
Gender and Social Policy
Health Policy
National Security Policy
Philosophy and Social Policy
Program and Policy Evaluation
Public-Private Policy and Management
Social Policy
Urban Policy
Or a student may (in consultation with their advisor and approval from the MPP program) design a tailored and/or interdisciplinary policy field
Careers:
Historically, GWU MPA graduates have worked as managers (as well as policy analysts) in Federal, state, and local government, along with the nonprofit sector (including associations), advocacy groups, and the private sector.
Careers:
GWU MPP graduates should be well equipped to work in a wide variety of policy analyst roles in all levels of government, as well as in the nonprofit sector, advocacy groups, and the private sector.
