Hi everyone. I'm hoping for some opinions on which degree others think is best. First off, I'm a Army National Guard Captain and Black Hawk helicopter pilot. Outside of the cockpit I work as a Battalion Operations officer. I have a BS in Aviation. I began taking courses this semester toward an MS in Technology with a concentration in Operational Leadership and Project Management at Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI). I'm only taking 2 of the core classes for the degree this semester as a non degree seeking student (I was past the admissions deadline for the fall). Indiana University is also located on the IUPUI campus and offers and MPA program. I consider myself somewhat of a political junkie and would love to work in government either at an agency or for an elected official. One day I might even run for a local office or even a higher office. I feel that the MS degree could open doors within private industry and possibly the government as well. I'm torn between either I should continue to pursue the MS degree or dive into the MPA program starting in the spring. The MPA program is 48 credit hours while the MS in Technology is 33, of which I will have 6 hours completed at the end of this semester. Obviously the MS degree can be completed faster and can get me into the job market but I feel it lacks a little of the professional prestige that the MPA would have. Just curious what everyone would do if they were in my shoes. Thanks for the help.
Hi, ArmyPilot. A warm welcome to Degree Info. Here is why there is a delay in your posts showing up: http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/35100-new-users-ask-where-did-my-posts-go.html You should get some good opinions on your MPA vs MS question. It is likely that you will get contradicting opinions, but you can take what you feel is the best and go with that.
Based on what I know of these two very different degrees I think that the answer to your question will depend on what sort of job/career you'd like. You would, I think, wind up doing very different things. You seem to be leaning toward the MPA. Maybe trust your gut?
Hooah Captain, The MPA and the MS in Technology are vastly two different degrees. I agree with Kizmet, it basically boils what you want to do with the degree. If you want to work in any political setting, then the MPA will serve you better. However, if you want to guide your career towards a more technical realm then, by all means, the MS in Technology degree will serve you better. I too had this same problem (US Army Intel Analyst), I was contemplating either a technical degree or an MPA. I decided to go with the MPA for the simple reason that it allowed me greater flexibility, the technical degree would have pigeonholed me into a single category, where as the MPA has given me the flexibility that I wanted it all along. I now work as a political consultant for a firm here in Florida, I also do some consulting in Latin America, and I owe everything to the MPA degree. I would have not gotten an interview, let alone hired, if it were not for my MPA degree. PM me if you need me to answer specific questions, I will be more than happy to help a fellow soldier. Hooah!
Just as others mention, I would recommend MPA since you want to have a career in Government upon your completion with the National Guard. Another degree you might consider is Organizational Leadership.
The technology degree would be hot for defense contractors, especially in North Virginia (NOVA). Just make sure you get your security clearances in addition to the degree. MPA? I have an MPA and loved the training. It certainly is an interdisciplinary degree, which is why you can marry it up with a technology degree and certification(s). Certs in technology and/or computer security seem to be the ticket in that field. So, you can have the best of both worlds. I would say go MPA first and see how you can give your degree an technology orientation through papers, projects, etc. Then go for the certs which are short courses.
I would highly suggest the MPA. As other have noted, the MPA is a generalist degree that is tremendously flexible. If you find the right program, you can design your own electives focus on technology in the public sector and kill two birds with one stone.
