MPA confusion, multiple questions

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by cfa3, Jan 11, 2011.

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  1. cfa3

    cfa3 New Member

    Hello,

    First I want to apologize for the length of this!

    I am in a weird situation and hoping to get some advice as to direction. I am 37 yrs old. I have recently decided it is a good time to pursue the higher education I have been planning on doing for years. I have a B.A. from a really good school with really good GPA. Thats just FYI background info. I have been raising my son and wanting to go on to a masters program and needed to find one online because where I am located, there just isnt much to choose from. Continuing, I decided on a subject I really became very interested in, nutrition, and found a fully accredited, fully online program Masters in Nutrition from University of Bridgeport. Even though nutrition is not my #1 passion, I am interested enough that I thought this was a good choice and would be interesting and was online. All factors considered I decided to do it. As soon as I started the app process I noticed what a MESS that school is. I could not believe it. No one would call me back despite message after message, they screwed many things up in my application, it was shameful. Despite this, I continued ahead thinking thats not a good reason to not do the program. Well, a semester has been completed and I am just as disgusted with this school. It is really unprofessionally handled, all but one professor was a joke, the material was OK but it is not impressive at all. I even gave up asking questions because there was no point. After thinking about it, I decided over the break to continue with the program, it seemed stupid to drop it now. However, I am having doubts. I have been thinking about an MPA program. This is part two of this long question.

    My first love and greatest interest is anything to do with law, politics, government and economics. I went to law school for a year, sadly I had to leave and never went back. It is still my biggest dream, but there is no law school where I live. Anyhow, it seemed like maybe in researching it, an MPA would be a good choice for someone with my passions - I could get into a non profit, into gov't, maybe move on to a PhD in the future etc. Seemed like it would encompass my passions. Nutrition is a passion too, but not on the level that socio economic is for me. Thats what my whole undergrad studies were.

    So here I am 2 days into my new semester at U of Bridgeport and I dont know what to do! I just talked to USC who is starting an online MPA next fall. This sounds amazing to me because for personal ambition and professional too, I REALLY wanted to attend a "brand name" highly regarded school for grad school. U of Bridgeport certaintly isnt that, but I figured in the world of natural health, who cares what school I went to. This USC thing is calling me, its an excellent school, excellent program, etc. Problems: it is SOOOOOO expensive! $55,000 for the masters! There is a local college where I am,, FGCU, which is new and not even a Tier 2 yet, which has an NASPAA accredited MPA for about $14,000! That would be the LOGICAL choice, but I want that prestige that the USC name carries, but really, I dont even know how much it matters to have the name. Its not like law school or something, do I need a presitigous school name if I want to do the MPA? How important is that? Should I consider spending that amount for a name? Should I drop my current masters in nutrition program? UGH.

    Sorry this is so long, but I need to act ASAP and dont know what to do. Part of me says it would be running away and being a perfectionist to leave the U of B program now, but Im just not sure any more about it, then again what if I'm halfway through the MPA program and feel the same way (though I cant imgagine). I am trying to do the "going back to school in my 30s" thing and it is a lot more confusing than I thought.
     
  2. cfa3

    cfa3 New Member

    I see people have viewed my post........sorry if this was rambling. I am new here and eager to communicate with others on these issues so I may have gone a little overboard in the info I gave, and I also know that my post is rambling in the sense that I am really asking and talking about 2-3 different things. Evidence of my state of confusion! At 37 trying to establish a career, the pressure is on me time wise, hence trying to make this huge decisions. Thanks for any opinions or sharing your own experience.
     
  3. perrymk

    perrymk Member

    I completed the coursework for the FGCU MPA distance program with 3.8 GPA. I spent the last year working on my Capstone and then registered for the Capstone semester as my last semester. Halfway through the Capstone semester my advisor decided he was no longer my advisor. I attempted to replace him but was not allowed. I filed complaints with everyone I could think of but got nowhere. It seems professors at FGCU can just quit and students get hung out to dry. I later published my Capstone project in a peer reviewed journal.

    Moral of the story: Avoid FGCU.
     
  4. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

  5. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Definitely … and as a taxpayer (Government) paid /funded tuition USC online MPA targeted program endeavor. Why else would /could an upstart USC online MPA cost more than twice as much as even the Northwestern online MPPA? But why not … the bulk of its intake could likely consist of current public sector employees with its (USC) exorbitant MPA tuition expectedly funded via federal, state and/or local governments/municipalities (e.g. the taxpayers).
     
  6. cfa3

    cfa3 New Member

    Thanks for the reply, I could not believe the price! At first I was very excited by the news but quickly realized there can be no reward THAT special and great from attending a brand name that is worth $55 k!
     
  7. cfa3

    cfa3 New Member

    Geez, that sounds crazy! I have to ask though, thinking that what happened to you may the exception and not the rule, other than that what did you think of the program? Are you glad you decided on an MPA? Thanks for the info, something to think about...........
     
  8. cfa3

    cfa3 New Member

    Truckie:

    Thanks for the info. I have seen the NASPAA site and wondered too how important that is, to attend a school with that accreditation. I noticed that the top rated MPA schools are not even accredited by this body............I dont know what the does or doesnt signify.

    I am appaled at the 55K charge at USC! Such a shame, I would have really considered the fancy name school...........but not spending that amount of cash.

    I will have to look into Northwestern.....it sounds familiar I think..........I wonder if one is past the point of attending a top 10 school for MPA which it is. FGCU's program seems really good and they have assistanceships there which would help, but it is such an unknown school, though it is a member of NASPAA.

    Thank you for your help.
     
  9. major56

    major56 Active Member

  10. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    If you want to use your degree for working in the Government. The professional accreditation is not really important because you're not getting any license based on your degree program. However, if you plan to work in the academia; then maybe take the professional accreditation in consideration.

    Penn State's Master in Public Administration for $27K.

    The best buy one with a little decent name that is ranked tier 1 school. University of North Dakota

    Master of Public Administration: $11,120
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 12, 2011
  11. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

  12. perrymk

    perrymk Member

    It’s even crazier when it’s happening to you.

    As for the program, I really don't have anything to compare the program to. I have an MS from a B&M in chemistry but that’s apples and oranges. This was my first try at something administrative. That said, more than anything I learned how to take a page to write a paragraph. It seems administrators like wordiness; I am inclined to succinctness. Some classes seemed useful, some were a waste of time. I suppose that could be said of any program.

    I believe an MPA was the right choice for me as I really enjoy state government employment (I am a state crime lab analyst). I might be inclined to suggest others pursue an MBA as it is more versatile. In other words, I suspect an MBA will have more value in the public sector than an MPA would in the private sector.

    If I were to invest that much time and money into a program again, I would be sure to visit the campus and meet the professors. Sometimes I felt like I was nothing more than a name on a screen and it was too easy to just ignore me.
     
  13. cfa3

    cfa3 New Member

    Thank so much for the replies. At this point I am leaning toward the MPA at FGCU because I live here: I would be able to come to campus, take advantage of the library, know the professors, and do a TA if I found one. I dont really know the major advantages with this degree to going to a top school, and since $ is a huge factor this seems like a good option.........

    As for an MBA, I know I am not interested in that. If anything, I went from thinking about a masters in poli sci or economics to an MPA because I figured just in case I dont pursue a PHd,. the broadness of the MPA would be a smarter choice.

    Thanks for all your help here.
     
  14. IslandJ

    IslandJ New Member

    As far as I am concerned, it makes no sense to get a very expensive MPA like the one from USC if your employer isn't paying for it or if you intend to work in the non-profit sector or government for two reasons. First, a lot of these organizations will not care if your MPA is from a top school or any RA school. Second, you will not make more money if you get the degree from USC than any other RA school.

    I am currently attending the online MPA program at UC Denver and so far I have very few complaints. It is not the cheapest option but I think it is good value (I think my MPA will cost around $22k) for a very well regarded public affairs program.

    Good luck!
     
  15. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Maybe Harvard Extension's ALM in Government? You seem like the type of student the program was set up for (e.g. working in another field but a passion for something else.)
     
  16. publicadmin4life

    publicadmin4life New Member

    Understanding the USC SPPD MPA

    Thanks for posting your question. Yes it was long, but your thoughts and concerns are certainly shared by many who lurk in these forums.

    It is very important to put respective MPA degrees in context. The posters are correct that the sticker price of tuition for the USC SPPD MPA program can be shocking. However, it is important to think more deeply about what you are actually paying for.

    1. It is simply astonishing that USC SPPD has even created an online MPA degree to begin with - this is a huge breakthrough for distance education. As the second oldest MPA program in the country, behind only the famous Syracuse Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, it is not rational to compare this degree and its associated costs with other programs, online or otherwise, from less prestigious universities. USC's School of Policy, Planning, and Development is consistently rated within the top five programs for public management globally, and is hands down the top program in the western United States. It is likely the books you will be reading in an MPA program from an unknown school were written by professors currently employed by USC SPPD. Jack Knott, the dean of the school, is but one obvious example; the man wrote the bible of introduction to public administration classes. There is no other top five program in any field of study that currently has an online option.

    2. Whether or not the cost is appropriate for an individual's circumstances depends very much on their career goals. If you expect to stay in mid-level bureaucracy and never top a six figure annual salary it might not be for you. If you hope to work internationally (especially in east Asia) the network and prestige of the USC SPPD MPA would be invaluable. Likewise, if you are intending to work in the private sector as a government affairs executive or management consultant, the USC SPPD MPA would go a lot further than an MPA from an unknown or lesser known school. In fact, only a third of MPA graduates from top five programs actually go into public sector work, most enter the non-profit or private business realm. It should also be recognized that public sector management jobs are much more competitive than most people realize, and most top positions are filled by recruitment firms, not by people submitting resumes to employers. Finally, if you are planning to teach or pursue a doctorate, USC SPPD will be more valuable to you than a lesser known and respected institution.

    3. Admission to the USC SPPD MPA is much more competitive than many of the other schools mentioned in this thread. USC SPPD MPA recruits top talent from around the world and provides strictly merit-based admission decisions and funding. However, if you make the December 15 deadline for scholarship consideration and get lucky, the school is very generous with financial aid and can reduce the cost of the program significantly. Also, the international and domestic students who will join you in your cohort and with whom you will establish networks will likely be more valuable as your career progresses. The required residencies are designed to strengthen these connections. USC SPPD is targeting a different demographic than other online MPA programs. Not necessarily better, this is not a value judgment, but definitely a different and higher performing segment of the student population.

    So those are just some things to consider. While the USC SPPD MPA is not for everyone, it will certainly not find a dearth of very qualified and ambitious applicants seeking to gain the most superior knowledge training in an increasing competitive marketplace.

    Hope that helps.
     
  17. GeneralSnus

    GeneralSnus Member

    publicadmin4life,

    What connections or relationships, if any, do you have with Embanet or USC?
     
  18. publicadmin4life

    publicadmin4life New Member

    No present relationship

    At least not yet. But I sure wouldn't mind being one of the USC SPPD deans merit scholars or city/county management fellows.
     
  19. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    I will not argue the value of a USC MPA as I understand USC is a leader in the field. I am trying to figure out your motivations behind this post because you were little over the top with your glowing praise. Usually when that happens around here, someone is pushing an agenda based on a personal connection/interest in the program/school. Since you joined recently and have a grand total of two posts, both regarding the USC program I believe I am safe to make that assumption that may true in your case as well.

    As far as the earlier posts in the thread are concerned, the advice given to the OP was simply reflecting the fact that the OP was considering career change MPA options and was balking at the price (which he/she was actually quite low on). I am sure everyone on this board would choose the best possible route for their education if resources were no object, but given their individual circumstances that is not practical for most.
     
  20. cfa3

    cfa3 New Member

    publicadmin4life:

    I have to agree your post sounded a lot like the incredulous sales pitch I got on the phone. If I am wrong I apologize.

    When I called USC all enthused, to inquire about the program, I got the most over the top, shocking, disgusting sales pitch - I swear I have had less aggressive approaches on a used car lot. Frankly, aside of the exhorbitant tuition, I was 100% turned off and sicked and promptly scratched it off my list. The guy immediately was ordering me to send my application and resume that night, hurry hurry, and I was totally being aggressively manipulated. It was shocking, I had never experienced anything like this with a school. The guy cornered me into making a phone appt with him the next day to confirm that I had sent the app and to get onto the other items on the list, etc. He hounded me by phone and email calling himself an advisor - more like lead sales guru, it was disgusting. I dont know what is up with what I experienced, but I almost felt like I was being scammed or something, like someone had intercepted the phone call all to get my credit card info or something, it was that phony and fake and aggressive. He was not going to let me hang up without gettting me halfway along the process. I was really shocked.
     

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