Academics

mpa

MPA vs. MPH

Tuesday, April 18, 2023
If you are considering a master's degree, recognizing the similarities and differences between public service degree programs is crucial when weighing the opportunities. Some of the most recognized service degrees—the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Master in Public Health (MPH)—focus on preparing students to take on leadership roles in public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations, across a range of industries and fields. Despite the basic similarities, the curriculum delivered to students and the careers they are prepared for can vary greatly. These differences... Read More
five_students_sitting_around_a_table_talking

MPP vs. MPA / MPH

Thursday, December 8, 2022
If you are considering a master’s degree, recognizing the similarities and differences between public service degree programs is crucial when weighing the opportunities. Some of the most recognized service degrees – the Master in Public Policy (MPP), the Master in Public Administration (MPA), and the Master in Public Health (MPH) – focus on preparing students to take on leadership roles in public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations, across a range of industries and fields. Despite the basic similarities, the curriculum delivered to students and the careers they are prepared for... Read More
A man teaching a civic education course

What Is Civic Education and Why Is It Important?

Friday, April 8, 2022
It’s tempting to say the meaning of civic education is to teach information about government. Students must be informed about the structures of their government to understand it. If they don’t know who their leaders are, it seems natural that they also don’t know what those leaders are doing. Yet knowledge of government structures, while important, doesn’t really tell the whole story. Read More
A person holds a sign reading We Need A Change

10 Careers for Making a Difference

Wednesday, March 30, 2022
It’s important to find meaning in your work. If you work in public policy, you will be reminded of that importance daily. Air quality, gas prices, tax forms…most of the fundamental aspects of our lives are influenced or determined by policy. As we engage with our environment, our communities, our government, and a never-ending list of mundane activities we see clearly how impactful good policymaking can be. Learn about 10 policy-related careers and how the Carsey School can prepare you to work in them. Read More
Image of MPP students in class

6 Types of Financial Aid for Grad School – That Aren’t Student Loans

Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Paying for grad school can be daunting when most sources encourage taking out large student loans. Luckily, there are a myriad of ways to help ease the financial strain tuition can cause without using large loans as a first resort. Check out some of the methods of paying for graduate school available through the University of New Hampshire and the UNH Carsey School. Read More
A photo of a first responder emergency technician standing in front of an ambulance

6 Skillsets for Advancing Your First Responder Career

Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Beyond the specialized training that each first responder completes to learn how to respond to emergencies – like how to splint a leg, operate a firehose, or deescalate a tense situation – there are broader soft skills that they require to advance their careers and more effectively serve their organizations and communities. Carsey’s three graduate degrees offer those skills, and the School’s First Responders Education Award allows active first responders to save $5,000 on their tuition. Read More
A public educator speaks to a class of students during the COVID-19 pandemic

How Has the Pandemic Increased the Need for Public Policy Graduates?

Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Policymakers have been at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic, responsible for how countries work individually and together to help halt the spread of the virus. As the current health crisis exposes some of society’s most pressing social issues and deep-rooted inequalities, public policy students and graduates face a scenario unlike anything the world has seen before. Let’s take a look at public policy’s role in shaping a more sustainable future... Read More
MPA students visit a City of Concord facility

How Important Is Experiential Learning to Your Public Policy Education?

Monday, January 3, 2022
Experiential learning, when paired with a rigorous theoretical knowledge base, can help you get more value out of your graduate program, expand your professional network, and better prepare you for employment in your chosen field. This article summarizes some of the many advantages of experiential education and highlights how the Carsey School's graduate degrees incorporate numerous experiential learning opportunities. Read More
A photo showing people wearing shirts that say "Volunteer"

How Can Students Get Involved in Advocacy, Outreach, and Community Service?

Thursday, December 16, 2021
Student interest in activism and advocacy is at an all-time high, with movements such as Black Lives Matter, the Me Too movement, and LGBTQ+ receiving significant support across college and university campuses. Closely aligned with the drive to create change, public administration, advocacy, and social service graduate programs have become more popular than ever. And that's a good thing for everyone. More people interested in studying social care and public policy issues means more professionals with the knowledge and skills to build stronger, more equitable local, national, and even... Read More
A photo showing two people filling food boxes for a food bank

5 Careers for Public Service Graduates

Tuesday, November 30, 2021
In the United States, 1.3 million charitable nonprofits play critical roles in feeding, sheltering, educating, and strengthening our nation’s communities. The need for these organizations – and the services they provide – grows on a daily basis. Fortunately, the number of nonprofit organizations in the U.S. continues to grow as well. Read More