CheersYou（清柚教育） VIP student Alice Yang received offers from five top universities for Fall 2018: Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, along with a $5,000 scholarship from Penn and a 30% scholarship from CMU.
After thorough discussion with advisors, Yang chose her dream school, the University of Pennsylvania, for its Social Policy program.
You may be wondering: what’s Yang’s background?
CheersYou（清柚教育） VIP Student: Alice Yang
Undergraduate University & Major:
Beijing Foreign Studies University International Relations (Bachelor’s Degree of Laws)
Stats:
GPA 3.73; TOEFL 106 (Speaking 27); GRE 324
Admission Results:
Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania ($5,000 scholarship), Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie Mellon University (30% scholarship), Georgetown University, etc.
After seeing Yang’s stats, some may ask: With such strong qualifications, she chose Social Policy? Hmm, isn’t that a bit of a waste??
Social Policy is a branch of Public Policy (MPP). Isn’t that one of those programs that just “sounds” like a “fluff” major??
Today, using Yang’s successful example, CheersYou（清柚教育） wants to talk about this heavily maligned popular liberal arts major:
Background
MPA (Master of Public Affairs) literally means affairs related to the general public.
It originated in 1924 at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University and has over 80 years of history.
The MPA curriculum aims to cultivate versatile management talents for government agencies and public institutions, equipping students with skills to analyze and solve problems using management, political science, economics, and other disciplines.
It usually takes two years, while the Maxwell School offers a one- to one-and-a-half-year program. Initially designed to train government personnel, it has gradually become more popularized, now also preparing public relations professionals for large and medium-sized private enterprises.
MPA (Master of Public Affairs) Two Main Categories
1. MPA (Master of Public Administration)
2. MPP (Master of Public Policy)
What’s the difference between MPA and MPP?
MPA programs at top universities are typically mid-career courses designed for those with relevant work experience, with a greater emphasis on management;
MPP programs are more suitable for fresh graduates, with relatively lower work experience requirements, focusing more on policy research and demanding slightly stronger math skills.
While both MPP and MPA train talents for the public affairs sector with policy analysis, problem-solving, and leadership abilities, MPP leans toward cultivating analytical skills and solution proposal, whereas MPA emphasizes handling, leadership, and planning during implementation. They represent a front-stage and back-stage division of labor.
So here’s the key question: Is the MPA really a fluff major? Let’s debunk that myth today!
MPA/MPP Application Requirements
In fact, U.S. MPA programs are far from fluff—they have high requirements!
Language Proficiency
First, MPA&MPP programs in the U.S. have high language test score requirements. To target top-30 comprehensive universities, TOEFL scores generally need to be above 100. Although some schools do not explicitly require GRE scores, a strong GRE is necessary to get into the top 30.
Academic Background
Top MPP programs often require students to have basic knowledge of statistics and economics. If you have taken economics, statistics, and advanced math in undergrad, you’re a good fit.
MPA programs have no specific background requirements. Based on past admission data, applicants typically come from social sciences, business management, finance, economics, and mathematics.
Work Experience
As clearly stated on Syracuse University’s website,
"We value work experience, internships, and volunteerism in relevant fields. These are solid indicators of success in our program.
A strong MPA or MAIR candidate will have relevant internships or post-undergraduate work experience, strong undergraduate coursework in economics and other social science disciplines, a clear understanding of their career goals as they relate to this field of study and an appreciation of the program here at The Maxwell School."
Both MPA and MPP prefer candidates with work experience. Public Policy values quantitative and statistical backgrounds; Public Administration emphasizes public spirit and social responsibility—a lasting commitment to public service.
Using Yang as an example, after analyzing her background, CheersYou（清柚教育） advisors charted two directions for her internships:
First internship: compensate for her lack of math and statistics background. Yang chose the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, participating in a scientific research project on global urban competitiveness and obtained a recommendation letter from the project professor.
Second internship: enhance her public affairs engagement background, for instance, by joining an NGO to learn how international organizations make public policy decisions. Yang followed this direction and chose to work on project promotion at the United Nations World Food Programme in Beijing.
These two internships were a huge boost for Yang. However, specific situations require specific analysis, tailored to the school and the individual. For example, some students previously admitted to Georgetown had no work experience. For personalized next steps, be sure to consult CheersYou（清柚教育） advisors!
For MPA programs, students from engineering, liberal arts, or sciences can all apply; backgrounds are diverse. Compared with majors like finance and accounting, the requirements are not extremely high.
However, that by no means makes MPA a “fluff” program! Career prospects are very broad, whether staying in the U.S. or returning to China, with ideal job directions.
Government agencies, NGOs/NPOs (various associations, foundations, unions, etc.), consulting firms, and administrative departments in private companies are the four main employment sectors for MPA graduates.
For Chinese students, job opportunities in the U.S. are mainly in non-profits and private enterprises. Returning to China, MPA graduates also enjoy broad prospects, as the domestic MPA field is maturing, offering ample room to shine.
To date, more than 260 U.S. schools offer MPA/MPP programs, and over half of the top 100 comprehensive universities have MPA programs. MPA, alongside MBA and JD, is now considered one of the three pillars of professional graduate education in the liberal arts in the U.S.
