MPA and MPP degrees are broadly similar, but MPA programs tend to focus more on careers in government bureaucracy through more rigorous economics and econometrics training. MPP programs provide a broader education suitable for non-government sectors and focus more on specific policy areas through case studies rather than economics literature. Key differences are that MPA graduates earn more on average, MPAs attract more mid-career government professionals, and MPAs emphasize skills for evaluating policy options while MPPs focus on designing policy proposals. The author enjoyed both degrees but found the MPA's economics focus a valuable skillset for policy-related jobs.

1. CHOOSING BETWEEN AN MPA OR
MPP DEGREE
Jonathon Fleg g
j.c.fleg g@nus.edu.sg
A lot of people thinking of doing a public sector on what the main differences are.
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”).
… MPA courses tend to be more focused
towards individuals with a career focus within
government bureaucracy…
Firstly, MPA courses tend to be more focused
However, where they do differ is in the content of towards individuals with a career focus within
the course and so it worth thinking about which one government bureaucracy, while an MPP is a
you are more suited to before applying. Seeing as broader education and could be more useful to
I’ve graduated from both degrees now (MPA those seeking jobs in the non-government sector.
from LSE and MPP from LKYSPP), here is my take This difference is reflected in the gap in graduate
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.

2. salaries, with MPP graduates earning US$11,000 MPA courses are designed more for future
less on average than those leaving with MPAs1. administrators who seek to successfully evaluate a
Both are viewed similarly by the private sector. range of policy options, while MPPs are more for
policy practitioners who hope to design good policy
proposals.
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 … there are tonnes of public policy jobs out there
are often younger and still without a set career where you will never have to run a regression –
path. On average MPA courses tend to be shorter. ever – so it’s up to you to decide if you think that is
At LKYSPP the MPA is a one year intensive, while a necessary part of your training.
the MPP is a more laid back two year course, which
gives you the chance to dabble in a number of
different policy areas.
I’ve enjoyed studying both immensely and was
lucky enough to do a dual degree where I could do
Secondly, MPA courses tend to be more rigorous in both. If you’re looking for a truly international
terms of the economic and econometric skills you’ll experience check out the dual degree
be learning. The LSE MPA in particular is extremely arrangements between LSE (London), SIPA (New
rigorous in econometrics. You come out of it feeling York), Sciences Po (Paris), LKYSPP (Singapore)
like you’ve learned a very robust economic “toolkit” and Hertie (Berlin).
that you could apply to all manner of policy
problems. For instance, I felt like I would have no
I’m naturally attracted to economic policy and felt
problem applying for trade or financial analyst
econometrics was a real “value added” skill that I
positions after my MPA from LSE. However to be
could take-away so probably enjoyed the MPA
honest there are tonnes of public policy jobs out
more, but to be honest that’s just me. Lots of
there where you will never have to run a regression
students at LSE disliked the course for the same
– ever – so it’s up to you to decide if you think that
reason I really enjoyed it. They felt that it was too
is a necessary part of your training.
light on teaching the kind of management skills that
you will be using to solve real world policy
On the other hand, MPP courses tend to be a little problems. For those considering LSE as a possible
lighter on the economics but probably give you destination, bear in mind the School is attempting to
more scope to concentrate on specific areas of compete with Kennedy School’s “practical” MPA by
public policy – health, education, infrastructure, etc. providing a more “theoretical” alternative. It you
Classes will focus more on real world case studies don’t like brain-twisting quantitative work then
rather than on economics literature and textbooks. LSE’s MPA might not be the place to start.
Alternatively if you want to get a broad cross-
section of policy areas that is usually possible too in
an MPP degree.
1
Carnevale, A.P, Strohl J. and Melton, M. 2011. “What’s it worth:
the economic value of college majors”. Retrieved from:
My final generalisation might be at risk of being a http://cew.georgetown.edu/whatsitworth/.
bridge too far, but I think it’s worth saying anyway.