CU Denver School of Public Affairs: MPA or MPP – Which Program Is Right for Me?

MPA or MPP – Which Program Is Right for You? If you want to make a difference in the world, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) or a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree is a valuable addition to your resume. With either degree, you’ll have advanced knowledge about how government and nonprofit organizations work and how public policy is made and implemented. Both degrees prepare you to work for the advancement of the common good. Whether you choose the MPA or the MPP will depend on how you want to make a difference in the world.

Below are comparisons between the MPA and MPP programs offered by the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. For more information, contact spa.admissions@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-2560.

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Program format / Course format

• Traditional program format / in-person, online, hybrid courses • Executive program format / in-person, online, hybrid courses • Accelerated (1-year, cohort) program format / in-person courses

• Traditional program format / in-person, online, hybrid courses

Number of credits

• 36 credits • 39 credits if 3-credit internship is required • 30 credits for executive MPA

• 36 credits • 39 credits if 3-credit internship is required

Curriculum focus

• Managing and leading programs and organizations that are implementing public policy or otherwise focused on the common good

• Designing, advocating for, and evaluating the impact of public policy

Core courses in common

• Research and Analytic Methods • Economics and Public Finance • The Policy Process and Democracy

Core courses unique to each program

• Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service • Organizational Management and Behavior • Public Service Leadership and Ethics • Evidence-Based Decision-Making

• Principles of Policy Design • Public Policy Analysis • Public Participation, Political Equity, and Government • Policy Workshop Seminar

Capstone project

• Client-centered project in which students serve as management consultants to government or nonprofit organizations

• Client-centered project in which students serve as policy consultants to government, nonprofit, or private organizations

Optional concentrations

• Disasters, Hazards, and Emergency Management • Education Policy • Emergency Management and Homeland Security • Environmental Policy and Management • Gender-Based Violence • Local Government • Managing for Social Equity • Nonprofit Management • Public Policy Analysis

• • • •

Education Policy Environmental Policy Policy Analysis and Methods Policy Entrepreneurship and Advocacy

Choosing Between the MPA and the MPP What if you don’t want to have to choose between organizational management and leadership and the design and evaluation of public policy?

After all, many leaders in government and nonprofit organizations are deeply involved in the public policy realm. In that case, you’re probably a good candidate for the MPA program with a relevant concentration in a policy area, or the more general Public Policy Analysis concentration. This path allows you to focus your electives on the design and impact of public policy while still having a solid foundation in organizational management and leadership.

CAREER SERVICES AT THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Students and alumni of the School of Public Affairs benefit from the personalized support of a dedicated Career Services Specialist. The Career Services Specialist helps to match students with internships and capstone projects, provides guidance and feedback on resumes and cover letters, and assists students in their job searches.

Career Options

MPA

MPP

Career preparation

• Provides you with expertise in managing and leading people and programs for the public good.

• Prepares you with expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating the policies needed to solve complex public problems.

Sample careers

• Nonprofit Executive Director: Executive Directors are responsible for running nonprofit organizations, including developing and implementing strategic plans for the organization and making sure there are sufficient resources to carry out the mission.

• Public Policy Analyst: These positions typically analyze the impact of current policies and help develop possible new policies, programs, and legislation. Organizations hiring public policy analysts include many U.S. and state government agencies.

• Government Agency Program Manager: Government program managers are charged with implementing publicly funded programs such as natural resource management, public health prevention initiatives, and education support. The nature of the program depends on the government agency. These jobs exist at the federal, state, and local government levels.

• Director of Public Policy/Director of Government Affairs: These positions are responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and influencing public policies that affect the mission and operations of their organizations.

Many nonprofit organizations and corporations hire for these positions.

• City Manager: City Managers are responsible for the day-to-day administration of a city or town, including overseeing the budget and the workforce, maintaining city services, and addressing community concerns.

QUESTIONS?

spa.admissions@ucdenver.edu · 303-315-2560 publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/mpa · publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/mpp

• Policy Advisor/Legislative Staffer: Individuals in these positions typically provide advice to policymakers on possible policy solutions for public problems. Policy advisors usually specialize in a particular area, such as education policy or environmental policy.