Which program is right for me?

Having trouble deciding which program is for you? We’ve listed some of the key features of our degree programs below. As always, please reach out to our Admissions Staff with any questions you may have.

Details	Master of Public Administration degrees (PNP & HPAM)	MS public policy	Executive MPA
Who Should Apply?	Students seeking leadership roles in the public and nonprofit sectors, looking for a flexible curriculum and an expansive selection of specializations & electives.	Those wanting a structured, intensive curriculum equipping them with the essential abilities to evaluate, formulate, and implement public policy.	Designed to cater to the unique aspirations of mid-career professionals who need to balance a top-tier graduate education with commitments outside of school.
Credits	45 credits	42 credits	30 credits
Enrollment Type	Full-Time or Part-Time	Full-time, Only	Full-Time or Part-Time
When To Apply	Fall or Spring	Fall	Fall
Program Start	September or January	August	August
Program Length	2 years, or 2.5 years FT if beginning in the Spring Term. 3 to 4 years PT	1 year accelerated	1 year FT; or 1.5-3 years PT
Professional Experience	No requirement. On average students enter with 2-5 years of work experience.	No requirement. 2-3 years of work experience, preferred.	7 years of work experience, with increasingly progressive management and leadership responsibility, required.
Class Times	Evenings, with some daytime and weekend courses.	Most courses offered during the daytime.	Evenings and Saturdays, with some weekday daytime options.
Curriculum	Both MPA programs consists of core courses, a required specialization, electives, and a capstone.	The curriculum blends policy analysis, management, quantitative methods, and communication skills.	Orientation, core courses, co-curricular programming, and elective coursework.
Internship	Students entering with less than 2 years full-time degree-relevant experience are required to fulfill the Professional Experience Requirement.	Students secure an internship during the Spring term as a vital and mandatory aspect of the program's curriculum.	Not applicable
Culminating Experience	All MPA students are required to complete the Capstone program.	MSPP students complete a studio project that uses data as the basis for an individual master's policy analysis brief.	Not applicable
Career Outcomes	Graduates work in a variety of sectors including non-profit, public, and private.	Graduates begin their policy careers in think tanks, policy consulting orgs, government agencies, foundations, and private sector companies.	Graduates hold leadership positions across nonprofit, government, philanthropic, and private sectors.
Alumni Network	Alumni Profiles	Alumni Profiles	Alumni Profiles
Scholarships + Funding	Merit and need-based aid including fellowship and graduate assistantships are available.	Merit-based aid available.	Merit and need-based aid are available.
Ideal Candidates	Competitive candidates will have strong written and verbal communication abilities, problem-solving, quantitative and leadership skills.	Candidates with strong evidence of quantitative proficiency in undergraduate-level economics, statistics, and calculus courses.	Practicing professionals with a strong interest in leadership and a proven track record of accomplishments that showcase their ability to inspire and drive positive change.
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