General vs. More Specific Degree: Pros and Cons

Hey guys! This forum is going to be my new home for a while because I did NOT realize how many questions I would have regarding Grad School admissions. Good to know there is a world after “College Life” though!

Anyway, I thought I would start an open discussion about the pros and cons of getting a slightly more general Master’s vs. getting something more specific and narrow. Specifically, I am considering possibly a Master’s in Public Policy or a Master’s in Education Policy. I may end up applying to both programs and just seeing what happens (which is basically my motto for grad school admissions) or just changing my mind entirely (my other motto).

My thoughts (and those of the career counselor I spoke with) are that a more specific degree would possibly restrict my job possibilities in the future; however, it may make me more qualified for those specific jobs if I am completely sure I want to pursue them. I’m also not sure if one program would be easier to get into than the other; theoretically, I would assume fewer people would apply to the education policy program, but the program is also probably smaller, so it may even out.

These are all fairly hypothetical ramblings, but if anyone has any thoughts (doesn’t have to be about these programs specifically), I would love to hear them.

My thoughts in no particular order:

-A more specific degree wouldn’t necessarily restrict your job possibilities. I have a PhD in public health and I do not work in public health. If you can apply your skills to a wide variety of fields you will have more flexibility in the future than you’d think.

-That said, if you KNOW that you want access to a wide range of public policy jobs both inside and outside education policy, the regular MPP would probably be a better bet.

-You should definitely apply to both and see what happens.