MPA student and MPA Student Association Chair, Alyssa Morgan Taylor shares her experiences of the Institute of Public Affairs’ flagship Master of Public Administration programme, and discusses what incoming students can expect from the experience.
LSE’s Master of Public Administration programme is a defining experience that, while academically rigorous, provides tremendous opportunities for personal and professional development.
The interdisciplinary course work in political science, economics, and quantitative analysis will equip you with the tools necessary to critically assess public policy. The core courses, however, do rely heavily on quantitative approaches, in which an understanding of basic calculus and statistics is crucial. There is a two-week statistics and calculus pre-sessional course to help prepare for the course work as well as numerous resources and help sessions throughout the year. But prior preparation in these two subjects will help tremendously, and will also alleviate unnecessary stress during the pre-sessional course and first term!
Aside from the coursework, the programme offers additional ways to delve further into policy analysis and related areas. This includes intimate seminars with policy practitioners and scholars that are tailored to MPA student interests, called Policy in Practice (PiP), as well as extracurricular groups that provide opportunities to tackle policy challenges professionally with external clients. The LSE also has no shortage of societies, organisations, and events – including exceptional public lectures – that pique any interest.
As a vibrant close-knit community within the globally-minded LSE, there is a spirit of comradeship and richness of diversity that is characteristic of the MPA. These communal ties enrich the experience of being in the programme, as they allow you to expand your perspective and benefit from the knowledge and experience of your international peers.
These bonds are reinforced by the MPA Student Association, (MPASA), which is devoted to improving the programme and enhancing student life. Throughout the academic year, the committees and initiatives provide opportunities for students to engage with past and current MPA students in professional, social, and philanthropic activities. MPASA aims to foster new friendships and expand the professional ties of the community. Some of the MPASA events include, the MPA Ball, a weekend retreat in the fall, a boat cruise, career and alumni panels, a karaoke night, and much more.
Being part of the LSE MPA is full of opportunities to step outside one’s comfort zone, and presents intellectual challenges in and outside the classroom that make the two years spent in the programme an undoubtedly transformative time.
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The MPA (Master of Public Administration) is a two year-long interdisciplinary postgraduate degree developed to meet the needs of government departments, public agencies and private sector organisations for highly skilled and professional policy-makers.
If you would like to know more about the programme, including how to apply, please click here. To learn more about the work of the MPA Student Association, please click here.
