US policy master’s degrees

Working in policy is among the most effective ways to have a positive impact in key fields. Getting a policy master’s degree can be a big help in this path.

Narrated by AI.

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Outline:

(01:12) Summary of Part 1

(01:16) What's the value of a master's for policy work?

(01:47) If I want to do a master's, when should I do it?

(02:31) What are the best graduate degrees for policy work?

(03:18) Where should I do a master's?

(04:19) Part 1: Why do a master's if you want to work in policy?

(05:02) Do you need a master's to work in policy?

(07:35) What are policy master's degrees like?

(08:24) Types of policy masters degrees

(11:16) Academic versus practitioner-oriented degrees

(12:18) Career capital from a policy master's degree

(13:09) Credentialing

(14:07) Networking

(15:55) Knowledge

(21:40) Professional skills

(22:41) Work experience

(23:34) Other reasons for doing a master's

(25:03) Why not do a master's for policy work?

(29:12) When should you do a master's -- right after college or after working for a few years?

(29:32) The case for working before graduate school

(32:09) Exceptions: Who should do graduate school immediately?

(34:04) Applying early

(35:23) What are the alternatives to policy master's?

(37:33) Part 2: Choosing where to go, how to apply, and how to get funding

(38:18) Summary of Part 2

(38:23) How should I choose where to apply?

(39:16) Which schools and programs would you recommend?

(40:10) How selective are policy schools?

(40:58) When are applications due?

(41:13) What do policy master's degrees cost?

(41:38) Where to apply: Process and criteria for choosing a degree

(42:08) Subject and curriculum

(45:12) Location

(48:33) Reputation

(52:55) Opportunity cost

(56:56) On-campus work opportunities

(57:55) For international students: STEM degrees

(59:20) Special degree features: part-time, accelerated, and dual/joint

(01:01:33) Which policy master's should you consider?

(01:02:28) Policy masters database

(01:03:15) Top policy masters programs to consider

(01:10:07) Acceptance rates

(01:11:16) Experience levels and demographics

(01:12:34) How to apply: Getting into policy master's programs

(01:12:40) Application timelines

(01:13:55) Application prerequisites

(01:15:04) Qualitative application components

(01:15:37) Resume

(01:16:26) Statement of purpose and other essays

(01:18:58) Letters of recommendation

(01:21:25) Quantitative application components

(01:21:52) GPA

(01:24:37) Standardised tests (GRE, GMAT)

(01:29:43) English proficiency exams for international students

(01:30:00) How to fund graduate school

(01:30:53) Tuition and other costs

(01:33:39) University financial aid

(01:35:50) Financial aid bargaining

(01:36:41) Federal financial aid

(01:37:13) Loans and loan forgiveness programs

(01:38:28) Government scholarship-for-service programs

(01:39:54) Employer funding

(01:42:32) Philanthropic scholarships

(01:43:55) Go abroad for graduate school

(01:46:50) Do a PhD instead of a masters

(01:48:36) Learn more

The original text contained 96 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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First published:
August 31st, 2023

Source:
https://80000hours.org/career-reviews/us-policy-masters-degrees

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.