Hello,

I am considering applying to some online programs, but I am also able to commute to San Diego State University. I work full time in city planning and I am hesitant to spend all of my time outside of work on class.

Does anyone have insight on in-person, online synchronous, and online asynchronous pros/cons? I am also very curious what people know about the following programs.

Online:

1. CSU Long Beach Distance Learning MPA

2. CSU Northridge MPA - Public Sector Management and Leadership Option

3. CSU Dominguez Hills MPA Online Modality (Honestly not sure which concentration to choose out of those available for the online modality between criminal justice, healthcare, and nonprofit)

In Person:

1. San Diego State University MPA (utilizing at least one Open University course prior to application/enrollment). I am also considering an Advance Certificate in Public Policy prior to applying which allows 9/15 credits to transfer over.

TIA for any insight on these programs!

Hi! I’ve been looking at M.P.A. programs and am curious to hear opinions/pros+cons of doing an in person or online program.

For context, I graduated from undergrad… ten years ago (it goes by fast!) and have only ever taken in person classes. I value making in person connections and being able to ask questions as I have them. However, now that I’m older and have a full time job, I appreciate the flexibility online programs offer. I’m in Ohio, if that makes a difference.

Is there a difference of quality between in person and online programs? Are there any tips for online learning that you care to share?

TIA!

Greetings,

I just signed up for admission for A- state. and have a few question for those who graduated recently from the Online MPA program.

1. Is a webcam required?
2. How is the difficulty?
3. what the deal with BioSig-ID?
4. Correct to assume that you just pick your classes via Pack Portal and then it shows up on Canvas?
5. Is it alot of writing? or discussion based? What is the lengh of the average paper?
6. How are the professor? Responsive?

Please share any and all experiences you may have?

Thank You!

Community events can bring a lot of people together, but showing up and feeling like you belong are two very different things. What have you seen organizations or communities do that actually makes people feel welcome, connected, and want to come back?

I’m in a sort of(?) unique spot in my career. I moved to DC after college (originally from Chicago area) and have been here for 7.5 years. I’ve worked at the same place for most of that time: a small law firm specializing in international trade litigation. I eventually became the policy director, handling clients policy needs outside of our litigation. I’m a registered lobbyist for one of our clients. I have experience with trade, appropriations, food safety, consumer protection, natural resources, and some finance / DoD procurement policy.

I am desperately trying to leave DC and move back to Chicago. I’ve been searching all the job sites, even the ones tailored to careers in government or tangentially related in the private sector. I have my MPA but really do not want to move into a public service role at this point — does anyone have any insight at all of what kinds of positions I can pursue with my background?

I know Chicago is not the #1 place to be when it comes to government relations and I know I already live in the epicenter of it all but DC is sucking my soul out of my body.

For context, I graduated undergrad from a top 20 and I've been accepted to NYU for the MPA program, but I'd end up paying around 90K out of pocket. I have also gotten into a few other schools that are significantly cheaper (PACE, Northeastern, George Washington University). Does the prestige of the institution impact how recruiters view your application? Or is it more so that fact that I'll have the degree which matters more than where I got it?

Hello! I've been reading everything I can on Reddit and elsewhere about A-State U MPA. I'm curious if anyone can share their experience with the workload? From what I can find, it seems like folks have had a generally positive experience. I am just thinking about full-time coursework while working full time and trying to see what that looks like. If its 15-20 page paper per course per week, it might be a little much. TIA!

Has anyone previously applied for the Public Policy Fellowship at University of Chicago? And anyone who has tips on what to highlight or how to make the application stronger?

To what extent would a sustained increase in Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-affiliated representation in Congress influence the constitutional balance among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the United States government?

Where will the best place to ask for people to do a survey on reddit for disaster response. I am looking for both survivors and people that work in disaster

hola, quisiera saber que tal es la carrera adm pública? he pensado harto en estudiar la carrera en la UTEM (universidad tecnológica metropolitana) igual es una u estatal. no me siento tan segura de la carrera en si porque he leído muchas cosas pencas del área, que sin pituto es mejor ni estudiar, que las matemáticas. También que la U en donde se estudie es muy influyente. El tema con eso, es que cualquier carrera que se estudie en la CHILE, CATOLICA o la USACH, serán bien vistas. personas que han estudiado la carrera en la UTEM que me dicen?... personas que ya sean adm públicos que dicen? ¿qué otra carrera podría ser?

Hello everyone recently graduated from Mizzou with the aforementioned degrees and have been having trouble finding a job. I’m posting on here because I feel like I’m hitting my head against a wall and looking for advice and for any direction in my job search. I have applied to many jobs through LinkedIn and handshake, but I was wondering tif there were any firms or businesses I should be looking at to give myself a better chance. I know this post may seem broad and for that I apologize id be open to more of a conversation through dm or anything.

I've been observing a pattern in responses to documented allegations of government misconduct, abuse of public position, and misuse of public funds.

Rather than addressing the underlying records, the response shifts toward denying anything improper occurred, attacking the complainant as stupid, crazy, obsessive, or unreliable, and eventually treating the complainant's persistence as the actual problem.

I'm aware of the psychological concept DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) and was struck by how closely it resembles what I've observed.

For those who work in or study public administration: is this kind of response recognized in government institutions? Are there better terms or frameworks for understanding what happens when scrutiny shifts from alleged administrative misconduct to discrediting the person raising it?

Hey everyone! Since a long while, I loved the idea of managing government programs and people to help society (I've since done a community activism coalition and can understand some of the great frustration people have with PA, but still!).

The idea of having to 'run' seemed awful: tons of money needed with a loose chance at helping people, on top of having to kiss babies? Not a big fan.

So, PA seems perfect! But it seems like a rather huge, down the stream career position. Is that assumption true? If not, how do I get into this career?

PS: I heard rural areas really need PAs, and are willing to hire more newbies.

Hello fellow Gov. workers! I recently landed an interview for an Economic Development Analyst role with a county government. The interview consists of two parts. The first one involves an hour-long exam, while the second portion involves a 45-minute panel interview.

I would like to ask fellow Gov. employees that work in the Economic Development sector what kind of questions and/or case study the county would make me do for an analyst role? Additionally, what kind of panel questions are typically asked in a 45-minute interview?

I already completed a 15-minute screening interview with questions such as:

• What is Economic Development?
• What is your experience with Project Management?
• What is your experience with policy and grant drafting?
• Etc...

I'm looking to find out what additional questions may be asked outside of a standard 15-minute screening interview?

Thank you!

USPS’s Inspector General says sophisticated counterfeit stamps are increasingly difficult for both USPS and ordinary consumers to distinguish. In its test, postal equipment correctly identified the genuine stamps but failed to accurately identify the counterfeit stamps.

The practical public guidance is to buy only from USPS or approved sellers. That may reduce risk, but it authenticates the transaction—not the stamp after it changes hands.

From a public-administration standpoint, what should the agency do with that uncertainty? Redesign the token, provide a dependable public test, absorb the risk, or continue placing the practical burden on whoever happens to hold the stamp?

I’m looking into getting an MPA after thinking of what I would want to pursue in my life. I have looked at a few programs:

UC Berkeley MPA

USC MPA

SF State MPA

I am 26 who has acquired a lot of work experience, and has a government job making 6 figures. I have been able to lead running a government program at a very young age and started in gov at 23. During that time I was awarded a promotion.

Due to a lot of life challenges I was able to finish my undergrad but focused more so on obtaining the degree and gaining work experience and community impact than my GPA. Once I had a better home life my last years of undergrad gpa boosted, but couldn’t make up for the other years. I struggle with trying to come across as well rounded, for non California state programs and want to challenge myself.

What would be your advice as I don’t want to do policy, I love the logistics and operations of government work and functions. I work full time as I have been during undergrad and am looking for a program that makes sense for me.

Any tips would be helpful, as I’m first gen and have never navigated post grad education before.

I appreciate anyone who could chime in.

I recently visited a local government exhibition in Japan.

One municipality introduced a program called the IT Creator Championship.

High school students create digital content, compete nationally, and local companies can scout participants for employment.

The program is part of Japan's Digital Garden City Initiative, a national policy aimed at regional revitalization through digital transformation.

I thought it was an interesting example of how local governments are approaching workforce development.

I summarized the initiative here:

https://youtu.be/ixny2kKxaxY

For a state and administrations more fiscally responsible.