<p>When I first began looking into Graduate programs, the search was for something that would prepare me for applied social research, hoping to have an effect on the development of public policy. However, I am now beginning to believe I would also like, within the same area, be able to also evaluate programs/policies, particularly from the view of economics/cost-benefit-analysis. </p>
<p>My present program does not have many options (maybe 1-2 courses offered irregularly?) to explore Economics/public management coursework that many MPP programs often specialize in, and options for statistics courses are also limited. (There is basically an intro class, a class on analysis of experimental data and a multivariate analysis course).</p>
<p>I realize that competition for jobs, particularly in Washington DC tend to be very competitive, and I do not presently attend a prestigious graduate program with deep networks/connections to DC. Will this, in combination with limited coursework options, significantly hinder my attempts to find employment in/around the DC/Federal Government area? My ultimate goal is to work in the area of health services policy (Medicaid, Long-term Care, and similar programs).</p>