Public Policy Work - PhD or MA/MS?

[mimifg]

I am interested in working with a non-profit on the executive level or as a lobbyist/liasion on the Federal or State level . I have myriad interests in health policy (poverty and health care, populations with HIV/AIDS, obesity, smoking, drugs/alcohol, mental health care reform, etc.)

I have a BA in Psychology and an MA in Journalism. I have been an executive for 10 years in an entirely unrelated field (outside of public policy/health care, that is).

All that said, I am presently thinking of chucking what I have now and going back to get a degree - either an MA in Public Policy/Administration or a PhD in Public Policy/Administration.

My concern is that with a PhD, I will be viewed as "overqualified" or too research-oriented for a non-profit or government liasion position. Then again, with a master's, I am concerned I will be missing out on more in-depth study as public policy is not my background.

As someone who does not want to teach Public Policy on a full-time basis, but enjoys the research/management/applied side, what are the views out there on which degree I should persue?

I am also doing research on this when I am able. Any real-world folks out there who have any thoughts on this?

[mimifg]

I suppose I should mention the following, it appears to be standard. I am not particularly concerned at this point as to which program to apply to, rather which degree would be most beneficial.

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad: B.A. Psychology from a top 25 U.S. private school
Undergrad GPA: 3.3
Type of Grad: M.A. Journalism from a large city public university.
Grad GPA: 3.88
GRE: 650Q, 720V
Econ/Resarch Methods/Statistics Courses: freshman econ, psych research methods/statistics I & II, grad research methods, no grad econ
Letters of Recommendation: Two former grad school professors (one a Chair of the Dept.) and the Dean of the College for my M.A.
Research Experience: Only when writing biography on a veteran for my thesis. Accepted into the Library of Congress. Otherwise, nothing analytical.
Teaching Experience: Associate Professor in Journalism (1.5 years)
Research Interests: See above.
SOP: Don't know.
Concerns: No jobs in public policy/non-profits on any level. Only 3+ years volunteer work with a local crisis/domestic abuse/health care non-profit.
Applying to: Not sure. Will be in about 2 years, I believe.