Grad School: "Distance" Vs. "Continuing Studies"

Graduate School
1

<p>This is my first post here, if it's in the wrong forum, or you think I'd just be better served posting it elsewhere, please let me know! </p>

<p>Here's my dilemma:</p>

<p>My career goals are to work in advocacy, development, policy research, or hold an Executive Director position at a Non-Profit/NGO. I work at a Non-Profit now as a case manager. My undergraduate is from a Cal. State school in Human Services (emph: Mental Health) This is my second career. </p>

<p>I am looking to do a Masters in Public Policy/Administration or something similar. I'm 34, have a family and a mortgage. Quitting my job isn't really an option.</p>

<p>I live in the greater Los Angeles area, and while we have a few schools that offer MPA or MPP, none of the programs are very appealing. They are all geared towards future City Managers and other such stuff, or in the case of USC, they'd require quitting my job and going full-time. Some of them also come from schools that I think would look less than wonderful on a resume (I already went to a Cal State school for undergrad, I'd like to up the ante a bit on my graduate school citation). </p>

<p>I was considering Northwestern's MPPA program, but there are a few problems;
1 - Not accredited by the NASPAA. Not a HUGE deal-breaking issue, but still a bit of a bummer.
2 - It's through the "School of Continuing Studies." That's what would appear on my degree as "conferred by." Hard to legitimately say I went to Northwestern.
3 - They are doing the full-court press on me, like the typical for-profit type of school. I don't like that they're basically telling me I've already been accepted when I haven't delivered anything application-wise. </p>

<p>The big positive is that it IS Northwestern, and I can probably get away with putting only that on my resume, and I can start very soon, I believe in March) Cost is around 40K. Would be done in two years.</p>

<p>As an alternative, I am considering DePaul, oddly enough, geographically situated close to Northwestern. Not as prestigious, obviously, but a very good school nonetheless. Their school of Public Service is pretty well-received. Here are the problems with going there;</p>

<p>1 - It's DePaul, not Northwestern.
2 - The degree is a "M.S. in Public Service Management" which is a little different from an MPA, obviously.
3 - The degree follows the same academic schedule as the on-campus program. This may actually be a positive, but as of now I don't believe I can started until September '11.
4 - it isnt Northwestern.</p>

<p>The positives are plentiful; the curriculum is more appealing. The cost is lower (32K) for 18 months full-time. The degree is conferred by the regular college of Public Service, I'd feel (and be) a regular student of DePaul, and my diploma/degree/alum status wouldn't reflect anything different. Probably the best part of all, the classes are actually in a live-web environment on Saturdays taught by the regular faculty. I'd feel like I am actually going to school (which I very much miss at the moment) DePaul is at least a school most people have heard of, and it shouldn't reflect on me negatively.</p>

<p>I realize it sounds like I've already made a decision, but it isn't that easy. Am I too hung up on the name? Are my concerns about the way the degree is named ridiculous? </p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>I would recommend that you take another look at UCLA. If you can attend their program part-time, I think this would be your best option if you need to continue working. I am quite certain that a UCLA MPP would be viewed more favourably than either the Northwestern MPPA or Depaul’s program. The Northwestern ‘name’ on the degree will not impress anyone who will matter to your career. UCLA and USC are both nationally respected public policy programs; the same cannot be said for the others under consideration.
Just my $0.02. Good luck with your decision.</p>

3

<p>Unfortunately, neither USC or UCLA offer part-time programs. LaVerne is a slightly attractive local option, but again, quitting work and taking out 100K in loans for two years for a degree like this isn’t really all that palatable…</p>

4

<p>Sorry, I misunderstood your situation. Perhaps you can ask representatives from both programs for their job placements over the past few years. This would tell you whether either program has been able to place their graduates in the type of jobs you are interested in.<br>
Good luck.</p>

5

<p>yeah unfortunately it used to be conferred by grad school…</p>

<p>scs undergrad is still conferred by Weinberg Arts and Sciences.</p>

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<p>Q: Will my degree say “School of Continuing Studies?”
A: No. SCS bachelor’s degrees are conferred by the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Communication. The degree will say “Northwestern University.” </p>

<p>That is for UGrad only though…</p>

<p>I think that might have taken down the rigor of the grad program, too bad, otherwise would be more appealing. </p>

<p>I am looking at MPP progs also, in Ugrad SCS @ NW, but not considering their grad MPP for that reason…</p>

7

<p>This is very late but in case you didn’t already know, USC does offer a PT option. They have a lot of night classes and intensive classes over the weekend to accommodate working individuals. UCLA is only full time.</p>

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<p>Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) also offers an online MPA degree geared towards towards working professionals. [SPEA</a> Connect: Online MPA and Graduate Certificate Programs](<a href=“http://www.speaconnect.indiana.edu%5DSPEA”>http://www.speaconnect.indiana.edu)</p>

9

Did you end up picking either program? I am debating DePaul’s MPP vs. Northwestern’s MPPA.

10

Old threads should be used for reference only. Please start a new thread. If you are interested, you can contact the OP directly, although they were last active in January 2011 so it’s doubtful they’ll respond.