Master of Public Policy versus Master of Public Administration
Since 1969 the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has had a graduate degree in public administration, that is a Master of Public Administration (MPA). Public servants throughout the state claim the program as their alma mater. In 2012, that degree was modified into a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) to more closely align it with the then newly established Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy on campus. The degree has evolved again, as part of the Baker Center transformation into the Baker School, the first school of public policy and public affairs at any public university in Tennessee. Now, students can choose between a Master of Public Policy (MPP) or a Master of Public Administration (MPA). These degree programs make up the core elements of public service, that is to help graduates answer the questions: “What shall we do?” and “How shall we do it?” Both degrees are designed to equip students with knowledge of the art and science of public problem-solving.
At the core of the MPP degree is knowledge of the institutions, stakeholders, and processes at the local, state, and national levels that enable, or prevent, the creation of policies to govern collective life. Public policy was classically defined by Thomas Dye as, “What governments choose to do or not do about issues identified as public problems.” The MPP degree empowers students with the knowledge and tools necessary to determine whether a problem is amenable to public action, assess the effectiveness of different solutions, evaluate the consequences of government action, and analyze the effectiveness of different solutions.
The MPP degree helps students answer the question, “Given the political environment, public preferences, and limited resources, what shall we do?” To answer this question, the MPP degree focuses on the political and economic implications of proposed policies and leverages training in data analysis, visualization, and communication to make graduates effective leaders of public decision-making. Students who choose this pathway may find fulfilling careers as policy analysts, campaign managers, legislative directors, government affairs managers, or in similar roles in the public, private, or non-profit sectors.
In contrast, the MPA degree helps students answer the question, “How shall we most effectively use public resources to implement policy, run impactful programs, and ensure organizational efficiency?” The MPA degree is designed to prepare students for careers in public service through a program of study that integrates the theory and practice of public administration. The degree is designed to teach students how to operate effectively in a wide range of fields through courses focused on public management, financing, budgeting, human resources, and organizational leadership. The MPA combines managerial, financial, practical, and policy analysis skills to prepare students to be in leadership roles in public or private sectors, with a key focus on public sector values and ethics. It is a sought-after credential for those working in the government and nonprofit sectors. Students who choose this pathway may find fulfilling careers as city or county managers, leaders in governmental agencies, executives of non-profit organizations, or in similar roles in the public and non-profit sectors.
In sum, the MPP helps graduates answer the question of what we should do and the MPA helps them answer how we should do it. Both degree programs empower future public servants to identify common ground and address public issues, so they can be part of the solution.