Hat tip to Katie Walpole, ELGL Nevada leader and LSE MPA graduate, for taking “On Campus” overseas. Katie is a management analyst for Clark County, NV and was recently selected for the ICMA Emerging Leaders Development Class of Fall 2017!
The London School of Economics and Political Science
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The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a two-year graduate degree programme in public policy and administration, offered through LSE’s Institute of Public Affairs. Students taking the MPA programme will develop high-level professional policy-making skills required by employers in the public sector and private sector, and by non-governmental organisations. Inaugurated in 2003, this flagship LSE programme started with an initial cohort of 18, and has now grown to train around 200 students over two years.
The Details
Number of students entering each year: 95
Typical first year: The first year of the MPA program comprises of three core compulsory courses in political science, micro and macroeconomics (combined course), and quantitative analysis of public policy. The remainder of the first year is for each student to choose from across subjects and disciplines offered by LSE’s world-leading academic departments which provide genuine breadth of choice and specialization.
Online classes: No
Full-Time or Part-Time: Full Time Only. See also: Executive MPA program aimed at working professionals.
Number of UK students versus foreign students: Approximately 10 UK students (11-12%) and 85 overseas students in a typical year
Tuition: In 2015-16, £22,536 GBP per annum (~ $35,000 USD)
The Interview
Describe the type of student that enters the program:
Intellectually gifted, ambitious, and with the potential to make change happen locally and globally
Do you encourage students have work experience before entering the program?
Yes, at least one year is helpful.
Top three benefits of enrolling in the program:
- Unique features that you won’t find elsewhere.
- Strong focus on quantitative analysis skills and international links with other leading global public policy schools.
- Based in one of the world’s great cities
If we surveyed graduates, what would they identify as the three biggest challenges from their time in the program?
One of the largest challenges that students identify would be the second year, Capstone project where students work on a real life policy challenge with corporations, NGOs, and government agencies. The Capstone project is a great experience that directly helps students in finding their job after study. Link: List of Capstone Clients
Students are also challenged by the academic rigor of the program. One of the key challenges is to fit in the fantastic range of public lectures, seminars, teaching, and social activities in London.
In the last five years, how has the curriculum changed?
In the last five years, the program has added two new policy streams: Public Policy and Management and Public and Social Policy. The range of option courses (electives) available has been expanded. There is also a new dual degree with the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo.
Examples of Alumni Working in Local Government:
Alumni of the program work in local governments in multiple countries as well as work for corporations and non-profits that assist the work of local governments.
Talk about scholarship opportunities available for incoming and returning students.
LSE offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for students, detailed on the LSE website. Students are encouraged to apply for other funding sources. Link: Scholarship information.
Are students required to complete an internship or work experience while in the program?
No, this is not a requirement. It is possible to work/intern during the year as well as during the summer break between the first and second years.
What question(s) should we have asked?
How does the program apply students’ learning to the real world?
Through our Policy in Practice (PiP) Seminars which connect students directly with practitioners. Recent speakers at MPA PiP Seminars have included the former Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard; Duncan Green, Oxfam’s Strategic Advisor; Michaela Bergman, chief Counsellor for Social Issues at the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development; and His Excellency Mr. Guy Trouveroy, the Belgian Ambassador the United Kingdom. Other past PiP Speakers.
What’s special about the Institute of Public Affairs?
The Institute of Public Affairs is home of the MPA program which brings together teaching, public policy research and engagement with policy-making, political, and corporate audiences.
Supplemental Reading
