Help choosing master's degree: public affairs vs. homeland security

After 10 years of on again off academic gain school, I finally finished by bachelor's in criminal justice in spring 2014.

Now it is summer 2015 and I am ready to begin the next phase to pursue my master's, but I am really struggling between two programs.

1. Master of Public Affairs (public administration concentration) from UT (Rio grande valley)

2. Master's in Homeland Security Studies from Sam Houston State University

The MPA I believe is more flexible,but I have been repeatedly told to specialize. I have also read that Homeland Security degrees are not a respected major.

I currently work in emergency preparedness so the Homeland security major would compliment my job nicely. I also particularly enjoy Homeland Security related subject matter.

The MPA however would also compliment my position but in a less direct way. I view the MPA as as better choice, but not as interesting.

My end game goal for a job would be...

1. Teaching at the community college level
2. Mid level government management
3. Promoting to a higher level position

There are am thousand details that go with all of this, but this is the basic overall summary.

I am looking for some outside feedback, perhaps pointing out to me something I have overlooked.

Thanks

 

I'd go with a master's in criminal justice with a focus in whatever interests you. It's the degree most likely to fit your goal to teach and will satisfy your other goals as well. Instead of an MPA there are plenty of administrative justice and homeland security CJ degrees. Nearly every college has CJ courses, so there will be more opportunity to teach.

 

wHY NOT AN MPA IN HOMELAND SECURITY?

 

It's only good for two things:
1. Getting a promotion (check the box) or
2. Teaching at the collegiate level in the discipline of the degree i.e. you must have 18 graduate credits in the discipline that you want to teach.

If you never have any aspirations to teach at the collegiate level, then you may eliminate #2 as a consideration i.e. just get any graduate degree in any discipline that you want.

 

You may want to also consider the SHSU MSCJ online degree option. As you’re aware … SHSU is historically considered as highly regarded re the CJ discipline.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Another available online MPA via a Texas university:

Texas A & M International University: Texas A&M International University

Note 1: Personally, I’d forgo the Homeland Security degree route. This discipline basically emerged shortly after 9/11. Its initial fame was short lived and peaked out awhile back in my view.

Note 2: The MPA would likely complement your undergraduate CJ degree.

 

I would disagree, my point being that not all ROI is measured in $$$

 

Some people pursue academic credentials because they find studying to be richly rewarding, even if there is no ROI. Conversely, personalized study that is richly rewarding can be achieved without cost and without pursuing academic credentials. There is something for everyone!

 

I would go with a master's in public administration for career purposes. There are MPA programs with homeland security concentrations. I would go with a master's in CJ for teaching purposes because there are many more opportunities to teach CJ courses. There really aren't that many openings for teaching homeland security. Believe me, I've looked for the past few years. With experience, you more than likely can teach homeland security with an MPA or master's in CJ. You cannot teach CJ or public administration (or affairs) with a master's in homeland security in most cases unless you have 18 credit hours in those subjects.

 

I would do an MPA, it's a recognized degree among those in public as well as int'l affairs.

The Master's in Homeland Security Studies sounds too focused, and those in gov't affairs won't be as familiar w/ that degree as w/ an MPA and may chuck it out immediately as a 'made up degree."

For the MPA, I suggest the following schools as they: have are very good Uni brands, offer 100% distance learning, have much more successful alums who can help you in your career development as well as fantastic professors . The two will offer an edge over UT (Rio grande valley):

Johns Hopkins University
Master of Arts in Public Management | AAP | JHUAdvanced Academic Programs

Northwestern University (called an MPPA - Master's in Public Policy and Administration)
Master's in Public Administration | Northwestern SPS

 

Thank you to everyone who commented on this thread. I felt like the MPA was the best route, but had real uncertainties and this thread really helped to clarify that the MPA is the right decision.

I will continue to monitor this thread as well for any future posts.

Thanks again.

 

If a national, top ranked public management degree is of interest; three additional MPA programs (avail. online) you might too consider:

USC (Ranked 6th nationally in public management and administration by U.S. News & World Report Best Public Management Administration Programs | Top Public Affairs Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools
Master of Public Administration | USC Online | USC
Online Masters in Public Administration | MPA Degree | USC

Rutgers- School of Public Affairs and Administration (Ranked 7th nationally in public management and administration by U.S. News & World Report):
MPA (concentrations in: Public and Nonprofit Performance Management, Health Care Administration, Nonprofit Management or Finance and Budgeting)
Online Master of Public Administration | Rutgers University

UNC at Chapel Hill – School of Government (online MPA with several concentration options): Ranked 25th nationally in public management and administration by U.S. News & World Report)
https://onlinempa.unc.edu/
https://onlinempa.unc.edu/about/about-mpaunc/

 

University of Pittsburgh: "The online Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) degree is currently accepting applications for the first cohort of students to begin study in the Fall 2015 term. ... its first fully online degree program."
https://www.gspia.pitt.edu/Academics/DegreePrograms/OnlineAcceleratedMid-CareerMasters/tabid/2011/Default.aspx

 

The U of Missouri's Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs (Ranked #33 by USNews last I checked) has a 33 credit 100% online MPA that costs about $11-12K. I don't think you'll do much better than that in terms of convenience, low cost, and quality. I would have applied if this program was available at the time I did my MPA. Best of luck in your search.

Public Affairs: Online Master's Degree | Mizzou Online | University of Missouri