在申请美国研究生的过程中，大家难免会在美国研究生热门专业的方向选择上产生困惑，比如说对美国大学公共管理硕士MPA和MPP公共政策硕士的申请情况容易混淆，下面就来看看美国公认的MPA和MPP专业的区别，这样大家就可以比较全面地了解这些项目了。

　　THE MPA/MPP DEGREES

　　Are you looking for a stimulating and challenging career? Do you want to lead, manage or run things? Do you want to work in a nonprofit, at any level of government, in an international organization, or maybe job hop among them and other career sectors like the environment, education, health or homeland security? If so, the MPA/MPP is the essential degree for you! Still not convinced? Keep reading to learn why the MPA/MPP degree is right for your career in professional public service.

　　THE ESSENTIAL DEGREE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

　　Over the past 50 years, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Master of Public Policy (MPP) have emerged as vital professional degrees in the public service field. Numerous policymakers, manager and leaders in the United States and internationally have earned these degrees to help launch their successful careers. There are over 260 MPA/MPP schools in the U.S. No matter the specific areas of concern, students can find many choices to consider among these professional degrees. Many schools offer full-time and part-time degree programs, executive MPA programs, online courses where degree requirements may vary depending on professional experience.

　　What is an MPA?

　　The Masters of Public Administration (MPA) degree is the professional degree for people who want a public service career in managing, running, or deciding. These degree programs develop the skills and techniques used by leaders and managers to implement policies, projects, and programs that resolve important societal problems while addressing organizational, human resource, and budgetary challenges. MPA graduates work in a wide variety of public service fields and in all levels of government (federal, state, local, and regional), in nonprofits, organizations, in the international arena, and in the private sector.

　　Coursework for MPA candidates typically includes required core courses and a concentration or specialization. Core courses often include consulting, budgeting and financial processes, information systems, policy and program formulation, implementation and evaluation, decision making and problem solving, political and legal institutions and processes, economic and social institutions and processes, organization and management concepts and behavior, and ethics.

　　MPA candidates who know their specialized interests before beginning their coursework should select a program that offers that specialization or concentration. Specializations and concentrations offered by NASPAA programs include such areas as nonprofit management, health care management, environmental management, criminal justice, and urban affairs, as well as such diverse topics as election administration, aviation security, and philanthropic development.

　　What is an MPP?

　　The Masters of Public Policy (MPP) degree emphasizes analyzing and evaluating information to solve policy problems. As analysts, thinkers, and researchers, MPP graduates work with quantitative and qualitative information and data to develop, assess, and evaluate alternative approaches to current and emerging issues and challenges. Their careers are in variety of public service fields and in all levels of government (federal, state, local, and regional), in nonprofits, in the international arena, and in the private sector.

　　Coursework for MPP candidates typically includes required core courses and a concentration or specialization. Core courses often include statistics and data analysis, public finance, microeconomics and macroeconomics, research design, program evaluation, public policy, organization and management concepts and behavior, and ethics.

　　MPP candidates who know their specialized interests before beginning their coursework should select a program that offers that specialization or concentration. Specializations and concentrations offered by NASPAA programs are in such policy areas as environment, education, health, transportation, economic development, international development, urban affairs, and criminal justice.

　　How does the MPA/MPP compare with other professional graduate degrees (i.e., MBA, JD)?

　　Above all, MPA/MPP program graduates are uniquely prepared for working in the new public sector that spans governments, nonprofit organizations/NGOs, and private companies together developing and implementing public policy. In comparison with other professional graduate degrees such in as business and law, MPA/MPP degree programs are noteworthy for the following features:

　　A broad-based training in subjects such economics, policy analysis, management (including financial management) and professional communications

　　A low student/teacher ratio in most classes, allowing for considerable individual contact with the faculty; the flexibility to take courses from other schools and departments, and joint degree programs with other professional schools

　　Significant financial aid available for qualified applicants

　　Opportunities for substantial internships