Is Harvard’s Kennedy MPP program prestigious?

[Anonymous]

(I think it’s a 2 year program.)

Or are MPP programs in general sort of a joke, like for resume padders who can’t get into a decent law school?

[Anonymous]

Yes, for people who care about that kind of thing. It's a good way to get a job working for either a big consultancy or in government, and perhaps more importantly, a really good networking opportunity. I know K School grads in high-level positions at State, Obama admin veterans, at Department of Ed, at USAID, at all the Big 4 firms... it seems to have paid off well for them, and they are all very smart capable people.

-- Not a K School grad but works with lots of people who are

[Anonymous]

Is there only one Kennedy MPP program or are there several of varying levels of status and selectivity? I recall meeting a man who namedroppsd his Harvard degree and it was either MPP or MPA (?) and I recall him saying he only flew to Boston once in a while (weekends?).

But it sounds like there’s a “real” full-time MPP, which I’m guessing is the top rung?

Similar to Harvard’s business graduate programs — there’s the “real” MBA and then a few sort of fake ones that aren’t very selective at all?

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:(I think it’s a 2 year program.)

Or are MPP programs in general sort of a joke, like for resume padders who can’t get into a decent law school?

The fact that you think an MPP and a law degree are anything like each other tells me you know nothing about either one.

[Anonymous]

Yes it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there only one Kennedy MPP program or are there several of varying levels of status and selectivity? I recall meeting a man who namedroppsd his Harvard degree and it was either MPP or MPA (?) and I recall him saying he only flew to Boston once in a while (weekends?).

But it sounds like there’s a “real” full-time MPP, which I’m guessing is the top rung?

Similar to Harvard’s business graduate programs — there’s the “real” MBA and then a few sort of fake ones that aren’t very selective at all?

They might have an executive program or certificate programs for mid-career people, I don't know.

Everyone I know with a K School degree did the 2-year, residential program. And most did it in their late 20s, after just a few years of post-grad work. The social aspect of the degree might be the most important part.

I wouldn't view it as having "rungs". Executive MBAs can be very prestigious, for instance, it depends on the program. But the traditional MPP at the K School is extremely well regarded.

[Anonymous]

They do have a mid career program IIRC

I think it’s well regarded for an MPP program but I think you still need to be careful about whether it makes sense to take 2 years out of the workforce to do it. Certainly there are employers who’d rather you just had experience but there probably also are places where it helps get you that first job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do have a mid career program IIRC

I think it’s well regarded for an MPP program but I think you still need to be careful about whether it makes sense to take 2 years out of the workforce to do it. Certainly there are employers who’d rather you just had experience but there probably also are places where it helps get you that first job.

I think the mid-career is a one year program.

[Anonymous]

Duke’s program is excellent, too. Kennedy is top notch.

[Anonymous]

Harvard’s is great, but not the best. Many other terrific MPP programs out there. Many of you probably don’t know how good Syracuse’s program is, for example.

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/public-policy-analysis-rankings

[Anonymous]

I love when a friend went and did it. Only to never be able to return to a job at state and now works for a small town in Massachusetts. Like someone else said, it has to be worth it.

[Anonymous]

Prestigious and worth it (in DC, anyway).

[Anonymous]

Princeton is up there and free w/ a stipend for all students

[Anonymous]

Only worth it if someone else pays for it.