USC or Northwestern MPA....

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by jude84, Mar 12, 2013.

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  1. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    USC MPA vs Northwestern MPPA

    Pros for USC: Prestige, I live in in LA, I could get involved with campus networking, internships and clubs, I am already involved with city government.

    Cons for USC: WAY WAY too expensive, not as prestigious as Northwestern, and finally astronomical comical price tag for a stand alone masters program. The investment wouldn't seem to really pay off considering the state of CA government.

    Pros for Northwestern: Better price for prestigious school, more of a practical curriculum, have friends in Chicago to stay if I want to do an on campus quarter.

    Cons: In Chicago so I wouldn't have direct access to campus opportunities, from continuing education school not policy school, don't know if alumni base is extensive in Los Angeles outside of entertainment.

    So in sum, USC might be a better fit but I just cannot justify that expensive price. Also, I am going to call them shortly but I am hoping that they're not as pushy about recruiting you as the Northwestern program was. I was hounded for at least three weeks by a recruiter from Northwestern.

    It made me think that these programs are fairly easy to get into, which is good, but then made me question the quality of the program. What is the acceptance rate of these programs?

    Stats: 3.0 GPA from a top 10 school (cont.ed), 5 years experience working for a public policy tank at a university as a research assistant, excellent letters of recs from renown profs in their field, currently working paralegal for a law firm.

    Do I have a shot at either program?
     
  2. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    You'll get into the Continuing Ed program at Northwestern. The USC program is a toss up.
     
  3. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    The USC program is that competitive? I guess Northwestern's is less competitive considering it's housed in their cont ed dept and offers rolling admissions, right?

    What could I do to strengthen my chances at USC? Get a letter of rec from someone high up in the city of LA govt? Take some courses at USC via non degree status?
     
  4. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Does USC have those really pushy recruiters for their online programs? They're always really good at getting to me believe that I can easily get into their programs. I do not want to apply to a program if I do not have some certainty that I can get in. Application fees are expensive and I have limited funds and time to go around applying to every school a recruiter tells me I'll be a perfect fit.

    If you say it's a toss up I will wait until I get some better employment recs and take a few courses to raise my GPA.
     
  5. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Anyone else know of the two programs?
     
  6. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    I know you asked for a comparison of these two specific schools, but I would highly suggest that unless you have significant employer tuition support neither of these two degrees are worth the price tag. There are tons of other options out there:

    Online MPA Degrees & Courses - NASPAA *The Global Standard in Public Service Education*

    There must be at least a dozen programs in your immediate area that will serve you well for a far lower price. In my experience, where you got your MPA degree does not matter much in the public sector as long as it is a quality program with regional accreditation + (NASPAA is a value-added). Good luck to you.
     
  7. It seems that AUTiger's comment made you want to attend USC even more. Even if it is a "toss up", it's still pretty expensive for an MPA. The networking would be good but you already are involved with the local government. Are your plans to network with those on the state level or something? I'm not sure you will ever see a ROI with either school but the USC's ROI (at the price) is very questionable to me.
     
  8. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    If that is the case than I might be better off going to Cal State Northridge which is near by and the tuition is low enough to where I can pay out of pocket.

    USCs price tag is way too high but like the poster above me stated, it makes me curious about it. Their school has a really good planning school and I would love to take electives in as urban planning is one of my favorite subjects. It just sounds like a more prestigious school of policy.

    Northwestern likewise has a good alumni network and it seems like the name will command as much respect, but if you say name recognition means little in the public sector then I am not that much worried about it.
     
  9. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    I want to work in the local city government and then hope to move to a smaller town government outside of LA when I am much older and experienced.

    Do you really think the ROI for either degree will be that low? Considering their both world renown schools with excellent alumni networks, USCs being one of the best in the country?
     
  10. taylor

    taylor New Member

    If you can afford it I would pick USC, especially since you're in the LA area. IMO sometimes you can't underestimate prestige and networking.
     
  11. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    USC's alumni in Southern CA is insane. I've yet to meet a USC grad working in a lower position than I am in, yet I've seen plenty of UCLA grads in tight spots. That's what attracted to me to USC.

    Northwestern is supposed to have a great alumni too even in Southern CA but it's mostly for entertainment. I highly doubt my MPA skills will qualify me to work for a studio, unless there are non-profit organizations or film commissions that work with the public. That would be fun.

    I am not worrying too much over it. Either one would be a dream and if I don't get into both for whatever reason I would just go to Cal State Northridge and not worry about the debt because the tuition is so low I can afford it out of pocket.
     
  12. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Re additional brand name MPA program consideration:

    Maxwell School of Syracuse University: EMPA w/DL option available w/some program residencies required (i.e., one two-week, on-campus residency is required, while the other two weeks of residency time may be done in another two-week session, or in 2 one-week sessions.).

    Admissions: 7 years min. professional experience.
    Tuition: $38K (30-hour program x $1,249 per graduate credit).
    Transfer policy: transfer of up to 6 credits of graduate-level coursework

    Maxwell School Executive Education Programs: Executive Master of Public Administration
     
  13. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Is this from experience AU Tiger? How do you figure I would get in? Thanks
     
  14. jude84

    jude84 New Member

    Anyone know the acceptance rate for this program?
     

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