Answer: Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree programs cover similar topics related to public service, but differ in their overall focus and intended student career objectives. The MPA is considered a practitioner’s degree, designed for professionals seeking leadership or managerial roles within public, private, and/or non-profit sector organizations. In contrast, the MPP is typically a research-oriented degree, intended for those interested in the development and critical analysis of public policy.
While the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Master of Public Policy (MPP) are both graduate programs primarily intended for professionals looking to advance their careers within the field of public service, they are fundamentally different degrees. It is relevant to note that commonalities may exist within the core curriculum and degree structure, as both degrees include coursework that covers topics such as the fundamentals of public governance, public financial management and budgeting, public policy analysis, and applied research methods. However, students in these programs may be asked to apply this material in different ways. For example, MPA students enrolled in a Public Policy Analysis course may examine existing public policies and discuss their implementation and outcomes, while those taking a similar course within an MPP program may look at those policies to determine areas of possible improvement.
The differences in curriculum are designed to prepare students for distinct careers within the field of public service. MPA degree programs focus on the enhancement of leadership and managerial capabilities, striving to develop key skills utilized by managers in public service and nonprofit agencies to implement policies and develop new projects and programs. MPA graduates often seek advancement into management or executive-level roles within governmental, private, or non-profit organizations. Alternately, MPP degree programs tend to emphasize research, analysis, and advocacy, and are well-suited for individuals interested in the critical analysis of existing policies and the development of new policies that address issues at the local, state, national, and/or international level. Graduates of MPP programs typically work for government agencies or think tanks analyzing data and conducting research surrounding existing programs and policies in order to develop alternate approaches to integral issues. Those with refined research and analytical skills may also find employment in other government-adjacent roles including but not limited to positions within advocacy groups, nonprofit agencies, campaign operations, and communications.
Note: The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) is an independent, non-profit organization that accredits both MPA and MPP degree programs. NASPAA accreditation is optional, and schools seeking accreditation for their MPA and/or MPP programs undergo the same application process. To learn more about the NASPAA and its accreditation process, check out our FAQ: What is the NASPAA?.
Continue reading below to learn more about MPA and MPP programs, as well as the differences between these two advanced degrees.
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
The Master of Public Administration degree is typically designed for professionals within the field of public service who desire leadership roles within government, non-profit, or private organizations that serve the public good. The degree seeks to refine leadership tactics and enhance integral managerial skills, building on a student’s existing professional experience by examining current trends within the industry and establishing strong foundational industry knowledge. Students can expect to review case studies, engage is collaborative projects and discussions, as well as complete independent assignments designed to mirror real-world scenarios.
To accommodate students with varying career goals and areas of interest, MPA programs offer a myriad of concentrations. Students seeking to further specialize their degree can focus their elective coursework in one of the following areas of study: Criminal Justice, Education Administration and Policy, Emergency and Disaster Management, Environmental Policy and Management, Health Administration, Homeland Security, Human Resource Management, International Administration and Global Policy, Local Government Management, Nonprofit Administration, Public Financial Management, Public Health, Public Management and Organizational Leadership, Public Policy, or Urban Management. Areas of emphasis vary depending on the school and the program, and some programs also offer a General Public Administration track that enables students to tailor their course of study by selecting electives that align with their career goals. Students are advised to thoroughly research programs to find ones that either offer a distinct specialization or a series of electives that align with their desired area of focus.
Regardless of a student’s elected area of specialization, core coursework focuses on establishing a strong foundational knowledge of public administration. Coursework will cover topics such as public policy, research and strategy, law and ethics, financial management, budgeting, organizational management, with an emphasis on the enhancement of leadership and communication skills. In addition, the majority of MPA programs require students to complete a final capstone project or thesis, and students with less than one year of relevant professional experience are often required to complete an additional for-credit internship.
The typical MPA program consists of 30 to 48 graduate credit hours of study, or 10 to 13 graduate level courses. Universities typically allow students up to five to seven years to earn a graduate degree, however, a student enrolled full-time can expect to earn their degree in 18 to 24 months. Part-time students typically take 24 to 36 months to earn their degree. For students interested in earning their degree fully online, classes may be scheduled live in the evenings or on weekends (which is referred to as synchronous instruction) or pre-recorded and accessed at the student’s convenience (which is referred to as asynchronous instruction). Most online MPA programs are designed to accommodate professionals with concurrent full-time employment.
Public service professionals who pursue an MPA degree are typically well-suited for leadership roles within governmental, nonprofit, or private, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on serving the public interest. Graduates may also find roles in industries such as healthcare or academia. Depending on their area of specialization, they may find positions as urban planners, city managers, grant writers, fundraising managers, human resources managers, or as consultants for advocacy groups focused on topics such as environmental or educational issues.
Master of Public Policy (MPP)
The Master of Public Policy (MPP), which may also be designated as a Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM), is designed to enhance critical thinking, research, and analytical skills. Professionals seeking this advanced degree are typically focused on policy development and the evaluation of existing public policies and programs. Students can expect to analyze existing case studies, complete research assignments and collaborative projects, and engage in peer group discussions.
Students seeking to focus on a particular sector of public policy may find programs that offer concentrations in areas such as Child Advocacy and Policy, Cybersecurity Policy, Economic Policy, Educational Policy, Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, Health Policy, International Policy, Law and Criminal Justice Policy, National Security Policy, Rural Policy, Social Policy, Transportation Policy, and Urban Policy and Development. Regardless of a student’s elected area of specialization, foundational core courses cover topics such as policy analysis, research methods, advocacy and lobbying, statistics, data analysis, economic foundations, and law and public policy. Similar to MPA programs, MPP students are also typically required to complete a final capstone project or master’s thesis, and preservice students with less than one year of relevant experience may be asked to complete a professional internship.
The typical MPP program requires the completion of 30 to 48 graduate credit hours of study. Full-time students can earn their degree in an average of 16 to 24 months, while part-time enrollment can extend the time to completion to three or four years. Students enrolled in online MPP degree programs may attend classes in real-time (i.e., synchronous instruction) or view course materials and lectures on their own schedule (i.e., asynchronous instruction). Prospective students are advised to research the instruction methods of any online program of interest to ensure they align with their preferred learning style and with their schedule, including any personal and/or professional obligations.
Graduates of MPP degree programs may find employment within government or nonprofit organizations, working as policymakers, analysts, researchers, or advocates. Depending on their unique area of specialization, these individuals may also be well-suited to work within public policy research organizations (e.g., think tanks) advocating for specific areas of public policy. Private businesses impacted by overarching policies may also seek those with public policy expertise to serve as consultants or liaisons in understanding how these policies impact their organizations.
Master of Public Administration (MPA) vs. Master of Public Policy (MPP) Degree Programs
As delineated above, both the MPA and MPP emphasize a strong foundational knowledge of the field of public administration, however, several differences exist in the execution, application, and career outcomes of these respective degree programs. The MPA curriculum typically focuses on the nuances of government operations and places greater emphasis on managerial techniques and leadership skills. The curriculum focuses on topics including budgeting, personnel management, organizational theory, partnerships and contract negotiation, and project management. In contrast, the MPP curriculum centers around research, statistics, the formulation of public policy, and data analysis.
MPA and MPP students often enter their respective graduate programs with different career objectives. Those who pursue an MPA degree typically seek upper-management or executive-level roles in which they may implement new programs and policies that impact their community, city, state, or society at large. They may find positions as healthcare administrators, fundraising managers, city planners, or directors within government organizations. Meanwhile, MPP graduates often find positions as consultants, research and/or data analysts, or project managers within private and public sector organizations, nonprofits, or think tanks.
As core and elective courses often overlap, some universities combine these programs to offer a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) or offer public policy as a concentration within a traditional MPA program. An MPA, MPP, and MPPA typically require the same number of graduate credit hours, conclude with a capstone project or thesis, and can be completed in the same time frame of 18 months to two years. The table below outlines the key similarities and differences between the Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy degree programs.
Note: For students who are unsure if they would like to pursue an MPA or an MPP, a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) or an MPA with a Specialization in Public Policy are two options they may want to consider as these programs often provide graduate level instruction and training in both public administration and public policy.
| Example Specialization Options |
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| Graduate Credit Hours Required | 30 to 48 (NASPAA accredited programs must be at least 36 credit hours) | 30 to 48 (NASPAA accredited programs must be at least 36 credit hours) |
| Time to Completion | 18 to 24 months (full-time), 2 to 3 years (part-time) | 18 to 24 months (full-time), 2 to 3 years (part-time) |
| Sample Courses |
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| Accreditation | NASPAA (Optional) | NASPAA (Optional) |
| Delivery Methods | On-Campus, Hybrid, and Online | On-Campus, Hybrid, and Online |
| Capstone Options | Professional Project | Professional Project or Master’s Thesis |
| Careers Post-Graduation | Managerial roles with government, nonprofit, or public service organizations | Data and research driven analytical roles within think tanks or government organizations |