MPP vs. MPA: Which Degree Should You Choose?
As of 2022, roughly 964,000 individuals were working in public policy and social services, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This field includes human services and community organization, public administration, and social work. When considering a career in public service or policy analysis, choosing the right graduate degree is pivotal to meeting your career goals.
Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs are the most common advanced degree options for individuals who are passionate about working to influence public policy. While both programs share a goal of improving society, the MPP and MPA have key differences. For example, public policy programs focus on using data analysis to develop policies, while public administration programs prioritize teaching leadership skills to impact change that affects communities. Understanding these distinctions will help you decide which degree program is best suited for your career plans.
What Is a Master of Public Policy?
An MPP is an advanced degree that focuses on examining, researching, and solving public policy issues. Public policy encompasses the decisions and actions that governments take to address public concerns. Governments can choose to oppose or proceed with an issue or a problem, but either decision affects society. Ultimately, their role is to create policies that best serve the interests of the public.
Examples of public policy issues are education reform, affordable housing, immigration, climate change, and criminal justice reform. On a local level, public policy may refer to developing changes to fire codes, traffic regulations, building inspections, and street repairs.
What Is a Master of Public Administration?
While MPP degree programs center on evaluation, analysis, and research, MPA degree programs focus on day-to-day management and leadership activities that oversee policy implementation. These broad programs train students to understand matters such as organizational behavior, accounting, budgeting, public law, information technology (IT), and policy analysis.
MPP vs. MPA Similarities
In comparing the master’s degree programs, some clear commonalities emerge.
Duration
Each program can be completed in about two years of full-time study. Any program duration exceeding two years may be due to summer capstone projects or additional credit hours required for an area of concentration. To accommodate working students, many schools offer online and part-time schedules, which may slightly alter the program duration.
Commitment to Public Service
While their areas of emphasis may differ, both MPP and MPA programs are rooted in improving public access to needed resources and creating positive change through policy. Both degrees use fields of study such as political science, sociology, and economics to influence various public service challenges.
Preparation for Emerging Trends
Both programs prepare graduates to work in various related industries. Whatever the industry, graduates may face common challenges, such as cybersecurity. To combat modern challenges, many programs integrate coursework like risk management and scenario building that involves solving complex social problems.
MPP vs. MPA Differences
Job opportunities, coursework, key skills, and areas of focus set the MPP and MPA programs apart.
Curriculum
The MPP curriculum usually centers on advanced research methods used to create, evaluate, and implement public policy. Common courses include qualitative research methods, ethics, policy analysis, population methods, data analysis, and statistics.
As MPA programs focus on helping students build their leadership skills, coursework is often geared toward problem-solving, strategy, communication, sustainability, and program management. Students also take courses in civic engagement, policy development, urban sustainability, public finance, and strategic communication.
Career Outcomes
With an MPP degree, graduates may seek employment in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. Consulting, research, and self-employment also offer an opportunity to help develop and influence policy. Common MPP job titles include the following:
- Government relations manager
- Program analyst
- Assistant professor
- Legislative aide
- Community outreach manager
By contrast, a master’s degree in public administration prepares students for leadership and managerial roles that involve supervising operations, executing policies, and ensuring that work meets organizational goals. They may also work for governmental agencies, as well as for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Common MPA job titles include the following:
Start Your Public Service Career With a Master’s Degree
When deciding between an MPP and an MPA, individuals should consider their career goals, skills, and personal interests. Both degrees focus on public service, but they differ in focus and career pathways.
At Claremont Lincoln University, students can begin their public service careers by earning an online MPA. The fully online program features an asynchronous learning format that offers flexibility to working students. With full-time enrollment, the MPA program can be completed in about 13 months; with part-time enrollment, 26 months.
CLU offers four areas of concentration: Advanced Management and Leadership in Complex Systems, Sustainable Communities through Public Service, Advanced Practices in Public Finance, and Strategic Innovation for Collective Impact.
Learn how CLU can help you reach your goal of a public service career.
Claremont Lincoln University is a non-profit university offering affordable online degrees, graduate certificates, and professional development programs. Through a socially conscious education framework, CLU’s mission is to create a new leadership ecosystem through its proprietary Claremont Core®, a distinctive model that encompasses the knowledge needed to become an effective leader of positive change in the workplace or community. CLU is regionally accredited by the highly regarded WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which ensures institutions meet strict standards and fulfill their missions to serve their students and the public good. Degree programs at CLU focus on healthcare administration, human resources, organizational leadership, management, professional studies, public administration, social impact, and sustainability leadership.
Claremont Lincoln University is the university of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a non-profit global thought leader solving social, environmental, and economic challenges. Together, we are mobilizing leaders worldwide to tackle the most pressing climate, land, water, finance, housing, infrastructure, and other issues.
