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Hi guys, I'd like your opinion on the whole debate regarding the use of an MPP/MPA or even a Phd for advancing a career in Economic Policy. Currently, I already have a masters in applied econ and am working as a research assistant in a World Bank country office. The job is great and the deep involvement in policy making is making me realize this is the kind of work I would like to do. However, I don't want to be a research assistant forever and I'm looking for opportunities to advance my career. Would an MPP/MPA be a good idea? or would years of work experience as an RA be an okay substitute for it? Would some years of work experience as an RA be enough to be a policy specialist somewhere? Cheers.

Hi guys, I'd like your opinion on the whole debate regarding the use of an MPP/MPA or even a Phd for advancing a career in Economic Policy. Currently, I already have a masters in applied econ and am working as a research assistant in a World Bank country office. The job is great and the deep involvement in policy making is making me realize this is the kind of work I would like to do. However, I don't want to be a research assistant forever and I'm looking for opportunities to advance my career. Would an MPP/MPA be a good idea? or would years of work experience as an RA be an okay substitute for it? Would some years of work experience as an RA be enough to be a policy specialist somewhere? Cheers.

Hi everyone, I am an international student and have been lucky enough to get into Georgetown (MPP) in Washington and Master in Development Management & Policy (in Buenos Aires), LSE (MPA) and Hertie School of Governance´s MPP (in Berlin). Georgetown is very appealing but also student fees are much higher, so does LSE. I like Hertie and offers dual programs but seems to be less well-known. Would the Argentinean location hurt the degree? In the future I would like to work for some environmental / development agency or international organization. If any of you has any experience in any of those schools or in that sector it would be really appreciated if you could share your thoughts. Thanks!

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?