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2007 MPA/MPP STUDENT SURVEY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
By Maja Holmes, NASPAA
In March 2007 NASPAA conducted an online survey of current MPA/MPP students. The survey was distributed to NASPAA principal representatives, who in turned distributed the survey via email to their school’s current MPA/MPP students. The survey yielded 864 responses.
Summary of Findings:
- 75 percent of students responded that they were pursuing an MPA, 19 percent an MPP, and 6 percent an alternative degree. Almost 60 percent of the students are enrolled full-time.
- Students were most likely to first learn of MPA/MPP degrees and the specific schools they applied to from the internet, media, news, their relatives, friends, work colleague, and undergraduate professor. However, they relied more heavily on media, internet, and news to learn more about the schools they applied to.
- In considering the MPA/MPP degree, students responded that they most frequently considered pursuing a law degree (45%), MBA (34%), and Masters in International Relations (20%).
- The most important criteria cited by students in selecting a graduate program included location, reputation, and quality of faculty.
- The “typical” MPA/MPP student was 30 years old and worked full-time for about 4 years prior to graduate school. Two-thirds of the students were female.
- Even though the majority of students noted that they had an undergraduate degree in political science, there was a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds.
- About 40 percent of current MPA/ MPP students expected to work for a non-profit or local, state, regional or federal government. 20 percent planned on pursuing careers in the private sector, consulting, and contracting. Respondents expected to be paid approximately $57,000 upon graduating.
- MPA/MPP students thought the most important skills to potential employers included written and oral communication, decision making, leadership, and teamwork.
- There is a large gap in how MPA/MPP students use technology. Instant Messaging and text messages are used on a daily basis by over 20 percent of the respondents.
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