Why an MPA?

While both degrees are a good fit for individuals who have a strong interest in public service and want to make a positive impact in their communities, the curricula and outcomes are different. Master of Public Policy (MPP) programs are focused on policy analysis, which is a specific skill. With more of an emphasis on quantitatively focused courses, MPP students typically take a deep dive into statistical methods and data analysis with the purpose of designing, evaluating, and amending public policy. MPA programs, on the other hand, are focused on delivering an essential toolkit for decision-makers—which includes policy analysis—for managing, administering, and leading government and nonprofit organizations. MPP graduates often work behind the scenes creating policy, while MPA graduates are more likely to be in public-facing positions where they implement policy. UNC MPA’s accreditation association, NASPAA, offers a helpful comparison of public service degrees on its website.

While all levels of government hire policy analysts and public administrators, policy analyst positions are more common in the federal government, while public administration positions are more evenly distributed at the federal, state, and local levels.

The MPA and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) share a similar focus on leadership and management skills for administrators. However, the MBA is typically oriented toward the private sector, with a focus on increasing profits and creating effective operations. The MPA emphasizes a similar administrative skill set but with a focus on the public sector, preparing students to be decision-makers in government and nonprofit organizations. While MBA graduates sometimes opt to work in public service—just as MPA graduates may choose to work in the private sector—students typically choose a graduate program that is oriented to the sector where they are most interested in pursuing a career.

A dual degree in law and public administration provides graduates with a leadership toolkit combined with legal training and knowledge. This joint degree program often attracts students with an academic background in political science or history, as well as those who have an interest in politics and government operations and policy. Typically, these individuals aspire to work in a setting where law and public administration intersect, including local governments and some nonprofit organizations.

In some cases, practicing attorneys choose to enroll in an MPA program because they find themselves moving away from the daily practice of law and gravitating toward roles that require a strong leadership and administration skill set.