Public Policy: PhD @ CMU or MPA @ Columbia

Graduate School
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<p>I am brand new to this forum, and this is my first post :)</p>

<p>I am an international student, and I have received admission from both SIPA (MPA program) and Carnegie Mellon University (PhD in Engineering and Public Policy program). I have had MS in Engineering from UPenn, and I worked for about 4 years in a government agency and an international organization that both specialized in technology policy. </p>

<p>I wanted to continue pursuing a career in public policy (not technology policy exclusively), especially in international organizations and NGOs, rather than going for more studies in Engineering. This is why I turned down an offer from Columbia to study a PhD in Engineering, last year. </p>

<p>I am leaning toward the Columbia program because of the "Ivy league" tag, it is well known school around the world and I will have the chance to be in NYC. Also, I feel guilty for turning down Columbia admission offer last year, and I am under some kind of pressure that I should not miss another chance to study at Columbia.</p>

<p>On the other hand, CMU is not known much internationally (even some HR staff at my current work thought it a community college because of its name!). Other than that, their program is perfect, although it will take about 4 years.</p>

<p>I am looking for your advice on how and which to choose. Also, one important question for me: Is there a big difference between PhD or Master degree in Policy? and would that make a difference in my career in Public Policy?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>PhD is a research degree, versus a MA which is mostly taught (although often there is a capstone research project of sorts). Is the offer from CMU for a “engineering and public policy” degree, or are they separate? If you don’t want to be involved in engineering any longer, or you want to spend less time in school, I would certainly go for the masters. I would choose based on the curriculum, so take a close look at those.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your response.</p>

<p>CMU has an “Engineering and Public Policy” Department, and their PhD is in EPP, as well. It is for students with background in Engineering. So, most of the courses are offered by the Public policy school. Then, I should do a dissertation in Engineering Policy ( in my case, it will be in Telecommunication policy, since Telecom is my specialization in Engineering).</p>

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<p>If you WANT to do that, then go for it. The impression that I got was that you wanted a general policy education. If that is true, then go for the mpa. If you still want to focus on engineering, and you are willing to take the time and/or expense to do it, then go for it. It really comes down to what exactly you want to do, and how much preparation you think you need.</p>