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。

       What are some career options with the MPA/MPP degree?

　　Prospective students often focus on the types of jobs MPA/MPP graduates hold. Is there a typical career path? No, not really. Graduates of these programs pursue a wide variety of careers. Most people choose this degree because they are committed to public service and enjoy working on issues or problems that affect some sector of the public. MPA/MPP programs exist to provide professional training for government officials (at all levels), the non-profit and private sectors, both in the United States and around the world.

　　Some MPA/MPP graduates move back and forth between the public, private and nonprofit sector, or between an international setting and a domestic one. They can do this because the MPA/MPP degree provides a set of analytical and management skills that are often transferable across sectors and across issue areas. Some of the majors sectors our graduates work in are:

　　· Nonprofit

　　· Government (all levels)

　　· Environment

　　· Healthcare

　　· Education

　　· Homeland Security

　　· International

　　For more career information, visit www.publicservicecareers.org.

　　What courses will I take?

　　This is perhaps one of the most exciting parts of getting your degree! You choose the classes that interest you and reflect where you want to be in your career. Today the general differences between the MPA and the MPP are often blended. Over the past twenty years, their respective curricula substantially have converged and now it is important for students to look past the degree titles to understand how each educational program might serve their career goals. In general, an MPA/MPP program will offer all students advanced instruction in public policy analysis, public management, leadership, economics, and quantitative methods, along with courses on specific policy and administration topics. You’ll also be able to study communications, teamwork and leadership.

　　Broadly speaking, classes fall into one of three fields of study:

　　Policy analysis is about gathering and processing information to inform efforts to solve new policy problems. Persons who seek careers in policy analysis enjoy working with quantitative and qualitative information to develop and assess alternatives for solving these problems.

　　Management is about using scarce resources to achieve policy and management objectives. Persons who seek management careers enjoy building the solutions to problems using raw materials such as financial and human resources.

　　Leadership is about taking individual responsibility for the top-level decisions about which policy and management problems an organization should address. Persons who seek leadership careers enjoy being held accountable for decisions in return for the authority to choose problems and select alternative solutions.

　　When you look at any MPA/MPP program, inspect the core curriculum-those courses all students are required to take-to quickly determine the relative emphasis placed on policy analysis, management, and leadership. Each school offers its own set of courses. Look through course offerings to get an idea of what you can study and learn.

　　What are the admissions criteria for an MPA or an MPP program?

　　Our graduate schools each have their own admissions process. But there are similar aspects that can help you in applying. Most schools are looking at applicants ‘not as a number’ but as a person. So, while GPA and test scores do matter, so does a person’s experience, interests and personal story as it connects to public service. It’s also important to show you are not just listing your past accomplishments but also looking ahead to what you want to do in life and how an MPA or MPP degree will help you achieve your professional goals and dreams.

　　Most, but not all, programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); see http://www.gre.org. Many schools which require the GRE use it not as a barrier or threshold to acceptance, but as a guide for them to select the best mix of students. It is one of many factors for admissions officers, but it is not the most important item. Check with particular schools for their admissions requirements.

　　I am an international student. What do I need to know about the MPA/MPP degrees?

　　Students from all over the world have come the United States to further their education with an MPA or MPP degree.

　　To learn more about the international arena of the MPA/MPP degrees, please visit http://www.globalmpa.net/.

　　What do Current MPA/MPP Students Think of the School, Degree & ChoiceThe National Association of Schools of Public Affairs surveyed existing MPA and MPP students to see what was on their mind regarding the education and prospects ahead.

　　通过上面对美国研究生热门专业中的MPA和MPP的专业申请信息分析区别，相信对于很多计划申请美国研究生的人来说可以参考上面的信息来提前做好美国研究生申请的专业选择和规划。