Contents OVERVIEW Mission... 5 Master of Public Administration Program... 5 PLANNING YOUR MPA PROGRAM... 7

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2 Contents OVERVIEW... 5 Mission... 5 Master of Public Administration Program... 5 PLANNING YOUR MPA PROGRAM... 7 Degree Requirements... 7 Capstone... 7 Optional Internship Project (4 credit hours)... 8 Concentrations... 8 Financial Management... 9 Information and Performance Management Local Government Management Non-Profit Management Public Management Survey Methods Concentration Courses Time Required To Complete MPA Program University of Illinois at Chicago Academic Schedule Academic Advising What are the responsibilities of the faculty mentor? What are the responsibilities of the student? What is the role of the director of graduate studies? What is the role of staff? UNIVERSITY SERVICES Parking and Transportation (U-pass) Parking U-PASS Student Health Campus Care Student Identification

3 Student ID Cards: ADMISSIONS AND REGISTRATION Degree Admission Full Status Limited Status Registration Adding and Dropping Courses Leave of Absence Repetition of Courses Transfer Credit Limits on Transfer Credit Procedures EVALUATION OF THE MPA PROGRAM Course Evaluations Recent Graduate Survey Public Administration Student Association Informal Student Feedback MPA COURSE LISTING MPA FACULTY INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Postsecondary Credentials Test of English as a Foreign Language Visa Certification Financial Arrangements Oral English Proficiency of Teaching Assistants ACADEMIC STANDARDS Graduate Degree GPA Requirement Probation GRADING SYSTEM Viewing Your Grades

4 ETHICS ISSUES Academic Grievance Procedures Academic Integrity Confidentiality of Records Accessibility Information ASSISTANTSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND OTHER SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Assistantships PA Program Administered Financial-Aid University Fellowships Graduate Assistantships Tuition and Service Fee Waivers Other Sources of Financial Aid CUPPA Career Site Industrial, Endowed, and Special Fellowships Illinois Veterans Scholarship University Administered Loans and Work Study RESEARCH INSTITUTES AND FACILITIES Research Institutes Research Facilities SERVICES, FACILITIES, AND ACTIVITIES Career and Student Services CUPPA Computer Lab and Study Lounge Honor Societies and Professional Organizations Pi Alpha Alpha Public Administration Student Association (PASA) Program Affiliations Professional Organizations Course Plan Form-MPA Program

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6 OVERVIEW In a world confronting many difficult problems, there is a large demand for innovative, competent and highly-skilled public managers and policy analysts. Training men and women to take on these roles through careers in public service is the main purpose of the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) Master of Public Administration program (MPA). Mission The mission of the Department of Public Administration is to advance the practice of and re-search on public administration and policy in the urban area of Chicago and beyond through providing an excellent graduate professional education, disseminating scholarly and engaged research to relevant audiences at home and abroad, and contributing service to public and professional communities. The curriculum is designed to ensure that all graduates: 1. Acquire skills and experience in applying qualitative and quantitative methods to public policy and management issues and decisions. 2. Achieve knowledge of organizational behavior, design, and analysis, as well as management and administration. 3. Gain an understanding of the political, economic and social contexts of public administration. MPA Mission Statement: The UIC MPA program promotes excellence through professional education in a diversity of public service careers in public, nonprofit, and private sectors, informed by scholarly research, engaged with administrative and policy communities, and dedicated to ethical and equitable practice. Master of Public Administration Program The MPA program is a fully accredited program by the national accrediting organization, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), and serves a diverse clientele. Some are mid-career professionals in the public or nonprofit sector, some are looking for opportunities to change their career paths, and 5

7 some have recently completed their undergraduate studies and realize the need for professional training to launch successful careers. A Master of Public Administration degree is well-recognized among administrators in the field, and is considered to be critical to many career paths leading to the management of public or non-profit agencies. 6

8 PLANNING YOUR MPA PROGRAM Degree Requirements Students must complete 52 credit hours (approximately 13 classes) to receive the MPA degree. This includes 8 required courses (32 hours total). Students must take three courses (12 hours) in a selected concentration plus two additional courses (8 hours) of the student's choosing selected in consultation with the student's advisor. The nor-mal course load is 2 or 3 courses per semester. 1 course per semester is an acceptable alternative. Students are strongly advised against enrolling in more than 3 courses per semester. Courses (Each course is 4 credit hours) PA 400: Public Administration Theory* PA 407: Data Analysis for Public Administration* PA 410: Economics for Public Administration and Policy Decisions PA 502: Legal Context of Public Administration PA 503: Public Personnel Management PA 504: Budgeting for Public Management PA 506: Policy Development and Analysis for Public Administrators Capstone PA 590: Public Administration Capstone *Students are required to enroll in 400 and 407 within their first 2 semesters in the program The Capstone course is an integration of classroom learning with practical experience. Students will work in groups to solve real problems for public and non-profit organizations. Extensive collaboration is required among group members outside of class time. Students should expect significant field work at their assigned organizations. Students are responsible to the course professor and to the project supervisor in their assigned organizations. Because the coursework is team-based, students are not allowed to drop this course once teams are created. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor and enrollment in the MPA program. Course must be taken in the last two semesters in the MPA program; or with the consent of the instructor. Students must register early for capstone since initial, mandatory class meetings occur prior to the formal start of the semester. 7

9 Optional Internship Project (4 credit hours) PA 490: Field Experience in Public Administration Students work in an organization such as a governmental agency, community group, or non-profit organization. Students are required to submit written work and meet with the course professor on a periodic basis to review work experience. Students who have no prior work experience in the public or nonprofit sectors are strongly recommended to register for this course. Students may substitute four internship course credits for the "at-large" elective course required of all MPA students. Students may take more than one Field Experience course. However, only four credits of PA 490 will be counted toward the MPA degree. The Field Experience course is graded pass/fail. Concentrations Each student will be required to select one of the following six concentrations: Public Management Local Government Administration Non-Profit Management Financial Management Information and Performance Management Survey Methods MPA students are required to take three courses in the selected concentration plus two additional courses of the student's choosing selected in consultation with the student's advisor. These concentrations allow students to focus their area of study in key areas of public administration and management, while taking advantage of the strengths of the PA Faculty and /the MPA Program. Students may create their own concentrations with permission from the MPA 8

10 Committee. Students must submit their proposed concentration with justification to the MPA Committee for approval. Interested students should contact the PA Program to obtain the necessary form for creating their own concentration. Financial Management Skillful fiscal management is fundamental in maintaining the ability of any organization to deliver its services in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The Financial Management concentration provides students with the means to manage a nonprofit, government or private institution s funds effectively and responsibly. The Financial Management concentration addresses two main concerns of public administration. The first is generating financial information that can be used to improve an organization s fiscal decisions, like budgeting and fiscal pol-icy, as well as risk management, cash management, and debt management. This area is primarily focused on planning the financial future of an organization. The second area deals with generating accurate financial information to improve government accountability and performance. This primarily involves determining the lines of responsibility for past decisions and whether the organization has performed or acted in accordance with laws or expectations. Activities such as accounting, financial reporting, auditing, and performance measurement take place in this area. Opportunities and incentives for employees to break the law or under-perform are reduced or eliminated here as well. Financial management has a wide array of applications in many organizations. Students may find themselves employed in the public sector, such as government budgeting, comptroller or auditing offices, planning and economic development offices, or event the position of finance director. Managerial, bonding and debt consultation in the private sector are also possibilities. Solid financial management plays a crucial role in the success of any organization s day to day operations, and requires the ability to handle a bevy of responsibilities. That is why a comprehensive education is essential for anyone interested in entering this field. The Financial Management 9

11 concentration strives to provide students with the solid foundation and expertise necessary for a prosperous career in the sector of their choice. Information and Performance Management The role of technology in government, nonprofit and private organizations is expanding on a continual basis, which has increased the demand for graduates who are knowledgeable in both public administration and information technology. With that in mind, the Information Technology concentration strives to provide students with the ability to implement and manage information technology systems within these organizations. The Information Technology concentration teaches students various ways in which technology can be used to enhance both public and private organization s capacity to deliver high quality services to the public. Some specific benefits are increased efficiency, improved overall performance, timely dissemination of information to managers and policy makers, and the ability to furnish information and services directly to the general public, thereby increasing satisfaction with the organization. More specifically, tools such as management information systems can be useful in supporting decision making at the tactical, strategic and policy levels, resulting in quicker and more in-formed actions on the part of the decision maker. However, implementing new technology efficiently involves circumventing pitfalls that have become commonplace in many organizations. Often there are higher costs than originally projected, or implementation takes much longer than expected. In order to avoid such problems, the Information Technology concentration also focuses on how to handle of strategic and management issues that must be addressed before an IT system is set up. Other topics discussed within the Information Technology concentration include the implications of introducing new technology into an organization, its affect on the interactions of the organization s participants, elements to be ad-dressed when designing and implementing new information systems, and key factors for successful implementation. 10

12 Today, information technology is one of the most important resources available to government, nonprofit and private organizations. The Information Technology concentration gives students the tools necessary for implementing and managing those resources, and in turn, enhancing an organization s capacity to provide high quality services. Local Government Management Managing local government requires specialized knowledge beyond that which the general Public Management concentration curriculum provides. With that in mind, the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs introduced the Local Government Management concentration in the fall of This program allows those students interested in careers at the local government level to become well versed in public management practices, as well as the skills and challenges specific to occupations in local government. Many aspects of local government are unique when compared to the state and federal levels, and this is why it is important that those interested in working at the local government level have an education that focuses on those aspects. For instance, local government must interact and cooperate with other municipalities in order to provide services to citizens. It is important that students who want to work in local government have the ability to communicate and coordinate with other government entities. Local governments also experience an extraordinary amount of citizen participation in comparison to other levels of government. Future managers need to understand where citizen participation fits into an organization and how to make the best use of this resource. Also, local governments are affected by other levels of government. For example, local governments are entities of the state and must abide by the laws and regulations the state has enacted. Students must acquire a solid understanding of how this system influences a local government s actions. This concentration covers many topics that are particularly relevant to local government. A few examples are community development, local economic development, public safety and educational issues. In order to provide a truly comprehensive foundation for Local Government Management, classes from other departments such as political science and urban planning are incorporated into the curriculum. This gives students access to faculty expertise in this field from many different departments. 11

13 Those students who choose Local Government Management as their concentration will have a background appropriate for city management, departmental management or advising in mayoral government, and local nonprofit management. With the vast number of local governments currently operating in the United States and abroad, there is ample opportunity for employment in this field. The Local Government Management concentration is designed to provide those interested in a management-level career in local government a concrete background in the practices and principles necessary to succeed in this field. Students graduating with this concentration will find themselves well prepared to navigate the unique framework of local government. Non-Profit Management The non-profit concentration focuses on providing students with both the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to work in the non-profit sector either as an employee or founder of their own non-profit organization. The concentration also prepares students for important civic roles such as serving on nonprofit boards and advisory committees. One area the non-profit concentration courses focus on is the history of the non-profit sector. Students learn what factors contributed to making the non- profit sector the fastest growing sector of the economy today and what that means for those interested in a career in a non-profit. Understanding the history of the non-profit sector clarifies the role of non-profits in relation to the government and for-profit sectors as well as how the distinctions among these sectors are becoming less clear. Another topic important for non-profit management is financial management and fundraising. Non-profits must increasingly rely not only on government funding, but also donations and private sources in order to maintain continuous service provision. Non-profits often face a unique degree of uncertainty when it comes to funding, and the non-profit concentration imparts knowledge about how to effectively manage such uncertainty. Lastly, founding and working in a non-profit requires specific knowledge about the process of incorporation, creation of budgets, assembling effective boards of directors, managing external relationships as well as volunteers, and performance management. Students are given the opportunity to learn about and practice these skills in the classroom, providing them with tools that are integral to employment in the non-profit sector. The role of non-profits continues to expand both in the United States and 12

14 around the world. The non-profit concentration instills in students a balance of theory and applied knowledge that is essential for anyone who wants to both understand the nature of non-profits and how to navigate this burgeoning sector of the economy. Public Management The Public Management concentration focuses on providing students with both the theoretical and technical tools necessary for holding a management position in government and non-profit agencies. This concentration educates students about effective and efficient implementation of policy through a variety of approaches. One such approach focuses on organizational theory, which involves studying the procedures, functions and structure of an organization. From a human resource perspective, organizational theory is concerned with interactions among the members of an organization and how the organization itself affects its members. It is crucial that future supervisors and managers have a detailed understanding of the role human resources plays within the organization, and how to interact with those they manage in the most productive manner possible. In that same vein, this concentration looks closely at leadership and ethics in relation to public management. These are vital areas in terms of forging good decision making skills and becoming comfortable in a supervisory role. Diversity in the workplace is another important area relating to human resources. This includes laws that deal with issues of discrimination. Beyond legal issues, diversity also refers to the factors that shape how a person sees the world, and how their outlook relates to the organization. In the modern world it is necessary for anyone holding a management position with a government or non-profit agency to be knowledgeable about workplace diversity, and how to approach such issues in an appropriate manner. Perhaps the most important area of the Public Management concentration is the delivery of services. This area focuses on carrying out organizational mandates in a timely and productive manner. All other aspects of public management, including those discussed above, work toward fostering the ability to effectively deliver the services provided by an organization. The Public Management concentration combines the core aspects of management and public service with the goal of producing graduates that not only possess the skills to lead, but the ability to do so in an 13

15 ethical and productive manner as well. Survey Methods Surveys play a major role in planning and decision making in the field of public administration. It is extremely important that they are conducted in the most precise way possible because of the significant influence they can exert on public policy. The Survey Methods concentration offers students a firm grounding in survey methodology from a theoretical perspective, giving them the skills necessary to conduct accurate surveys in a variety of fields. The field of public administration uses surveys for a variety of purposes, such as program evaluation, needs assessment, and in an academic setting, to test basic theories. For instance, officials often conduct needs assessment surveys regarding basic public services on local populations to gauge usefulness or consumer satisfaction. This information can then be used to make improvements in problem areas. Although there are many applications for survey methodology in public administration, this program is one of very few to offer a concentration centered on survey methods in relation to this specific field. Surveys are often performed incorrectly, and in the field of public administration, can sometimes result in unnecessary changes in policy. That is why the Survey Methods concentration focuses on the theory of survey error, as well as the most appropriate methodologies for minimizing survey error in the social sciences. Students are provided with an exceptional systematic framework for conducting surveys and specific ground rules that allow them to become truly discerning consumers of research. This concentration also covers topics like study design, social measurement, execution of studies, data analysis and writing. This comprehensive approach to survey methodology teaches students the various steps and safeguards necessary for producing a thorough and accurate survey. Students that graduate with this concentration can work in a variety of arenas, including public schools, local and state agencies, and various nonprofit organizations. Although the skills imparted under this concentration are presented in terms of Public Administration, they have a wide variety of applications outside of this field. Students with a background in survey methodology can apply these principles in survey and market research, political surveying and many other careers. Survey methodology is a burgeoning field in terms of public administration and is 14

16 quickly becoming one of the most useful tools available to those running government or nonprofit organizations. Students that choose Survey Methods as their concentration will find themselves equipped with exceptional skills that are, and will continue to be, in high demand. Concentration Courses Public Management (Each course is 4 credit hours.) PA 461: Management of Information Technology in Government PA 462: Project Management PA 521: Strategic Management: Planning and Measurement PA 522: Ethics and Accountability PA 523: Intergovernmental Management PA 524: Leadership in Public Sector Organizations PA 526: Public Decision Analysis PA 529: Change and Reform in Public Organizations PA 532: Labor Management Relations in the Public Sector PA 533: Managing Workplace Diversity UPP 508: Geographic Information Systems for Planning UPP 563: Transportation Management UPP 594: Special Topics in Urban Planning and Policy Local Government Management (Each course is 4 credit hours.) PA 537: Local Government Management (required) PA 523: Intergovernmental Management PA 526: Public Decision Analysis PA 550: Financial Management of Government PA 552: Capital Budgeting and Infrastructure PA 553: State and Local Public Finance UPP 533: Development Finance Analysis UPP 530: Economic Development I POLS 551: Urban Politics POLS 553: Urban Public Policy Non-Profit Management (Each course is 4 credit hours.) PA 462: Project Management for Public Managers PA 521: Strategic Management PA 530: Nonprofit History & Theory PA 536: Financial Management & Fundraising in Nonprofit Orgs. PA 538: Nonprofit Management PA 550: Financial Management of Government 15

17 Financial Management (Each course is 4 credit hours.) PA 521: Strategic Management: Planning and Measurement PA 523: Intergovernmental Management PA 526: Public Decision Analysis PA 550: Financial Management of Government PA 551: Governmental Accounting PA 552: Capital Budgeting and Infrastructure PA 553: State and Local Public Finance UPP 533: Development Finance Analysis Information and Performance Management (Each course is 4 credit hours.) PA 460: Data Management PA 461: Management of Information Technology in Government PA 462: Project Management PA 463: E-government PA 465: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Public Managers PA 521: Strategic Management: Planning and Measurement PA 526: Public Decision Analysis POLS/PA 567: Information Management in Public Sector Organizations Survey Methods (Each course is 4 credit hours.) CHSC 447: Survey Planning and Design (required) CHSC 577: Survey Questionnaire Design BSTT 440: Sampling and Estimation Methods PA 575: Survey Planning and Management PA 576: Applied Survey Sampling PA 578: Surveys, Public Opinion, and Public Policy (required for PhD) PA 579: Practicum in Survey Research (2 6 variable credit hours) (Each course below is 2 credit hours. These courses will only meet for 8 weeks.) PA 580: Survey Non-Response PA 581: Cross-Cultural Survey Measurement PA 582: Survey Data Collection Methods PA 583: Psychology of Survey Measurement: Cognitive Social Processes PA 584: Internet Surveys PA 585: Survey Research Ethics PA 586: History of Survey Research 16

18 PA 587: Seminar in Special Issues in Survey Methodology PA 588: Survey Data Reduction and Analysis Time Required To Complete MPA Program Full-time students will usually complete their degree requirements in 2 years (21 months) including the summer between the first and second years. Full-time students are not advised to take more than 4 courses per term. Part-time students usually take 3 years (33 months). The length of time required depends on the credit hour per semester load that a student chooses to carry. Full-time students are those individuals who take 12 or more semester hours in each term, and a part-time student takes 11 or less each term. University of Illinois at Chicago Academic Schedule The academic year at the University of Illinois at Chicago consists of the fall and spring semesters and an eight-week summer session. Each of the regular semesters includes fifteen weeks of instruction and one week of final examinations. A grading period occurs at the end of each term. The academic schedule for the current academic year is available on the Internet at by clicking on the schedule of classes list on the right hand side of the screen. Academic Advising At the time of admission into the MPA program, each student will be assigned an academic advisor (Sharon Hayes) for all assistance with deciding course loads and other program related issues. MPA students should get in contact with their faculty advisor before the start of the term. It is important that students get to know their advisor and become acquainted with the faculty that teaches in their particular field of interest(s). MPA Advising Website a/faculty/fac_advising.html Sharon Hayes shar@uic.edu What are the responsibilities of the faculty mentor? According to the Graduate College catalog, All graduate students must have an academic advisor in the graduate program in which degree work is to be done. The academic advisor assists in planning a program of graduate study that fits the needs of the student and satisfies the graduate program and Graduate College requirements. In general, it is the responsibility of the advisor to help each student devise a program 17

19 of study. This may include assistance in the identification of career goals, the selection of an area of concentration, recommendations on what courses to take when, and an appropriate course load. What are the responsibilities of the student? MPA students should get in contact with their advisor before the start of the term and fill out the course plan given to the new students at orientation. Each student should contact his/her advisor either in person or via at least once each academic year to discuss the student s progress and course of study. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with university policies as set forth in the Graduate Catalog. ο Academic probation ο Transfer credit ο Financial Aid ο Course loads ο Course numbering ο Leave of absence ο Graduation requirements It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with departmental policies set forth in the MPA handbook. What is the role of the director of graduate studies? The director of graduate studies handles issues relating to: ο Student grievances ο Academic probation ο General counseling-problems with current courses ο Graduate petitions ο Leaves of absence ο University withdrawal ο Financial aid recommendation ο Graduation checklist What is the role of staff? The Assistant to the Head, Sharon Hayes is available to assist and advise students with issues relating to course registration, enrolling in courses on which a hold has been placed, graduation requirements, etc. Sharon is also available to provide general advice to students on curriculum requirements, scheduling, and course selection. Sharon has access to the official transcript of each student including grade 18

20 history. Sharon has Independent Study forms and handles petitions to the Graduate College. UNIVERSITY SERVICES Parking and Transportation (U-pass) Parking: UIC provides many options for parking on campus. While visitor lots are available for those that only park on-campus infrequently, arrangements must be made for those that want to park on-campus regularly. In order to park in any of the non-visitor lots on a regular basis, you must file an application with Parking Services. The parking application can be downloaded from the UIC Parking Services website, where you will also find rates, maps of parking facilities and information on parking rules and regulations. UIC Parking Services Phone: Website: king/welcome.html U-PASS: The U-PASS is a joint program of UIC and the CTA that allows unlimited use of CTA trains and buses and is provided to those students that are eligible during academic semesters. Students should pick up their U-pass during the designated distribution period for that semester. Distribution is conducted in the Student Services Building. During this time, CTA personnel are on site to print U-PASSes for eligible students who were not preprinted before the semester s start. You need to bring your valid i-card to pick up your U-Pass. Students who are eligible may not opt out of the U-PASS program. All eligible students are assessed the $109 CTA Transportation Fee for each of the Fall and Spring UIC U-Pass UIC U-Pass Website: pass.shtml CTA U-Pass Website: _information/fares/upass.aspx semesters. UIC also participates in the Summer U-PASS program. This fee for the summer is less than the academic year due to the condensed schedule. Please visit the U-PASS website for eligibility guidelines, distribution schedules and rules. 19

21 Student Health Campus Care: The University of Illinois at Chicago requires that all eligible students be covered by health insurance and provides a plan for which the fee is automatically assessed along with other tuition and fees. This is automatic, there is no enrollment form. Students with comparable health insurance coverage, for example through a legal guardian or an employer, can waive out of the program by submitting the online waiver form before the enrollment change deadline. To access the waiver form or find out more information about Campus Care, visit the Campus Care website. Student Health Centers: Students who are currently enrolled in classes at UIC are eligible to receive many preventative outpatient services at the Family Medicine Center. For those students who also purchase coverage through the Campus Care health benefit plan, the Family Medicine providers will provide comprehensive primary care services, as well as manage necessary specialty care. For those students that have insurance other than Campus Care, check with your insurance provider to see whether they are accepted at the Family Medicine Center. Most insurance plans are recognized at the Family Medicine Center where we can offer you complete primary care. All students must present their student ID cards. Campus Care Phone: Website: mpuscare/ Student Health Centers Phone: Website: cine.uic.edu/cms/o ne.aspx?portalid= &pageId= Student Identification Student ID Cards: The UIC i-card is your official University of Illinois at Chicago ID card. It provides access to university systems, services and campus facilities, including CUPPA. Some specific uses include the library, computer lab printing, Campus Recreation services and facilities, parking access, Health Services, and verification of student status. In order to obtain an i-card, bring a copy of your current semester schedule and one of the following forms of identification: state ID, driver s license or passport to the Photo ID Office. It is located in the Student Services Building, suite 1790, 1200 West Harrison. Please visit the Photo ID Office website for information on their hours and further information about the i-card. I-Card Offices Phone: Website: dcenter/ 20

22 ADMISSIONS AND REGISTRATION Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Admission decisions are made in compliance with the University of Illinois nondiscrimination policy. This policy can be found by accessing the Graduate Catalog at: Degree Admission Degree admissions are classified as either full or limited status. Students admitted on limited standing are those admitted on a provisional basis. Requirements for limited standing admission must be approved and supported by the Graduate College. The Graduate College with the advice of the graduate department sets the conditions for limited standing. Full Status Graduate College minimum requirements for full status degree admission: Prior Degrees: Except for seniors at UIC (see Graduate Study by Undergraduate Seniors), a baccalaureate or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. Transcripts: Required from all institutions where the applicant earned the last 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of credit toward the baccalaureate degree and from all institutions where post-baccalaureate work has been completed. Grade Point Average: At least 3.0 (A=4.00) for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study, including all of the work taken in the quarter or semester in which the student began the final 60 semester hours of undergraduate study. The cumulative grade point average obtained in all work completed beyond the baccalaureate will also be computed and considered in the admissions decision. Tests Required: Applicants who wish to be considered for financial aid are required to take the Graduate Records Examination. The GRE is recommended but not required for those not seeking financial assistance. Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The test score cannot be more than two years old. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer based) is required by the Graduate College; many departments have a higher minimum. UIC s Institutional Code is No other tests are required by the Graduate College. 21

23 Letters of Recommendation: Three academic or professional letters of recommendation are required. Personal Statement: The personal statement should discuss personal, intellectual, educational, and professional goals, the reasons for seeking the degree, specific intellectual interests, and the proposed areas of specialization. Resume: The resume should include any current and past work experience, educational institutions attended, and current, up-to-date contact information which is necessary for the department to contact the applicant concerning admissions decisions. Writing Sample: The writing sample should be less than ten pages in length and authored solely by the applicant. The sample should showcase the author s ability to coherently express an idea and does not necessarily have to be academic in nature. Limited Status Limited status is a probationary status for degree students who have not met all of the admission requirements, such as those who: have less than a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average; have specified course deficiencies to be removed; must submit additional credentials required by the program (such as letters of recommendation or admissions test scores); or are UIC seniors within eight semester hours of earning the baccalaureate at the time of matriculation. A department can recommend that a student be admitted on limited status to the Graduate College. The Graduate College makes the final decision. For applicants to be admitted to limited status, the Department will recommend to the Graduate College specific conditions for admission. Graduate College approval is required for admission of limited-status students. Students can be admitted on limited status for no more than two semesters (including summer) or 16 semester hours, whatever occurs first. Graduate programs may specify shorter time limits. If the conditions are not met within the time limit, the program will notify the Graduate College, and the student will be dismissed from the Graduate College. Admission recommendations are not made until all required documents are received. 22

24 Registration Registration procedures and class offerings are published in the UIC Timetable (Registration Policies and Procedures) each semester and graduate students are responsible for the complete and accurate processing of the registration according to UIC Timetable Website: the guidelines published therein. It is the student s responsibility to register early to make sure you get into the classes you wish to take and to ensure there are no holds on their account that would prevent them from registering on time. Adding and Dropping Courses Students may not add a course after the tenth day of instruction in a semester or the fifth day of instruction in the summer session. Graduate students must follow the drop policy of the college offering the course. No refund of tuition will be issued for a drop after the tenth day of instruction (fifth day in summer) regardless of final deadline, unless the student withdraws from the university (see section on fees). Consult the UIC Timetable, published each term, for current deadlines. Holders of fellowships, assistantships, and tuition and fee waivers must maintain the required number of credit hours or risk loss of their tuition and service fee waiver for the academic term. Students who lose their waivers will be billed the full cost of tuition and fees. Students on visas must maintain the registration requirements of their visa. For clarification, contact the Office of International Services. Leave of Absence Graduate students who fail to register for two terms in a row (excluding summer) without taking an approved leave of absence forfeit their admission to the Graduate College and must reapply to Graduate College and be readmitted to the program. Readmission is not guaranteed. New students may register during the designated period prior to the beginning of their first term or during the late registration period (days one to ten for fall and spring, days one to five for summer). Currently enrolled students should register during the early registration period in the previous term. Registration information will be mailed to all currently enrolled and new students prior to registration. Continuing students who are not currently enrolled will not be sent registration information and must wait for the open registration period. Students who wait to register at late registration will be assessed a late registration fee and may experience limited course availability. 23

25 Repetition of Courses Students can repeat a course for credit if: The course is designated in the Timetable with the phrase May be repeated for credit. The course is one in which a grade of D, F, or U was received. In such cases the course can be repeated only once and counted only once toward the degree requirements; the original grade continues to be included in the computation of the Graduate Degree GPA. The approval of both the instructor who will give the course and the director of graduate studies are required. The course is one in which a student has received a permanent IN (see Grades). Transfer Credit Consideration is given to the transfer of credit in three categories: 1) Previous graduate work for which a degree was not awarded, even if that work was completed at UIC. 2) Graduate work completed elsewhere after admission to UIC and for which a degree was not awarded. Students considering taking graduate work elsewhere during a leave of absence should consult their advisor and director of graduate studies about such plans and the courses that may be considered for transfer. 3) Graduate work completed in the senior year at UIC that was not applied to the baccalaureate. To be considered for transfer, graduate work must have been completed in an accredited institution approved by one of the regional accreditation associations or by the agencies recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Education and must meet the quality and content of courses offered at UIC. For probation and graduation purposes, transfer credit is not computed in the cumulative grade point average or Graduate Degree GPA unless such credit was earned in courses taken at UIC. 24

26 Limits on Transfer Credit The specific number of credit hours accepted for transfer is determined on an individual basis. No transfer is automatic. Maximum Allowed Transfer Credit: No more than 50 percent of the hours required for a master s degree requiring 48 or more hours of credit, can be transferred from another institution or another college at UIC. The limit is for courses taken as a student in another college at UIC or another institution, but not course work taken in a different program within the Graduate College at UIC. Transfer credit is considered only for courses in which the student received a grade of A or B. Credit earned more than six calendar years before admission to the Graduate College is not usually accepted for transfer. Non-degree Credit: Non-degree students, who are admitted as degree candidates may, by petition, transfer up to 12 semester hours of graduate-level courses in which grades of A or B were earned. This does not count towards the limits of transfer credit listed above. Procedures A Graduate Petition for Transfer Credit Toward an Advanced Degree is required for all transfers of credit. The Department evaluates the student s petition and makes a recommendation to the Graduate College. The petition should show the courses recommended for transfer by the Department and the number of semester hours of credit received. Students must attach to the petition an original transcript showing grades if courses were not taken at UIC and a certification form from the registrar or college dean of the applicable institution stating that the courses are graduate-level and were not used toward fulfillment of the requirements for a degree if not selfevident from the transcript itself. 25

27 EVALUATION OF THE MPA PROGRAM The Department of Public Administration greatly values feedback from students. There are a variety of mechanisms in place to facilitate the gathering of student feedback. Course Evaluations The primary method is the course evaluation form. These are provided to students during the last few weeks of the semester. The instructor is not present while the forms are filled out, and a student is chosen to take the forms back to the department staff. Instructors do not see the forms until after grades have been submitted for the semester. The information gathered using the evaluation forms is used to evaluate the class and the instructor, and has ramifications for instructor promotion, course content, and a variety of other aspects of the curriculum. Recent Graduate Survey Prior to graduation, the department sends out an internet survey intended to gather information about the recent graduates overall experience in the program, including but not limited to: the student community, rigor of the curriculum, the presence of support from the program staff and faculty, and the availability and usefulness of career placement services. The survey can be completed anonymously and the results are taken into consideration for planning the course schedules and departmental goals for the following year, as well as many of the same items listed for the course evaluation. Public Administration Student Association The Public Administration Student Association (or PASA) acts as an informal conduit for student feedback to the department. PASA's board meets regularly with students to discuss concerns about the program along with a multitude of other topics. Representatives from PASA meet with the Dean of CUPPA each semester to communicate student concerns. Informal Student Feedback Students are also encouraged to speak with department staff (such as the Assistant to the Head of the Department, Sharon Hayes, or the Program Coordinator, Sarah McDonald) to convey any concerns of suggestions they might have. Appointments for these discussions can be made via or telephone at any time throughout a student's time in the program. 26

28 MPA COURSE LISTING Following is a list of courses offered by the PA program. (Note acceptable courses offered by other programs on campus are not included in this listing.) All courses are offered from 6-9 pm unless indicated otherwise. Course schedule is subject to change. Please visit the website for the most up to date information. Click on current students and then on course offerings. There you can find information on which semesters courses are offered as well as information on the dates and times the courses are offered in a given semester. Classroom location: Many, but not all of the classes are held in Art and Design Hall. This building is adjacent to and connected to CUPPA Hall. ART AND DESIGN HALL (ADH) CLASSROOMS CAN BE ACCESSED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF CUPPAH (FOLLOW THE SIGNS FOR 2232, 2234, 2236) PA 400: Public Administration Theory. 4 Hours. Development of public administration as a professional and scholarly area of knowledge and practice focusing on administrative reform and its intellectual roots. Politics versus administration, efficiency, effectiveness, representative bureaucracy, and market versus bureaucratic alternatives. Prerequisite: Admission to the MPA program or consent of the instructor. Must be taken within first 2 semesters in the program. PA 407: Data Analysis for PA. 4 Hours. Topics and methods of analyzing information relevant to the administration and management of public programs and organizations. Includes causation, univariate statistics, significance testing, correlation, and regression. Prerequisite: Appropriate score on the department placement test; and graduate standing; or consent of the instructor. Must be taken within first 2 semesters in the program. PA 410: Economics for Public Administration. 4 Hours. Basic economic tools and methods relevant to public administration and current policy: opportunity cost, supply and demand, rational choice, production costs, competition versus monopoly, and economic efficiency versus equity, market failure, public goods, and externalities. Prerequisite: Appropriate score on the department placement test; and graduate standing; or consent of the instructor. PA 421: Organization Theory and Public Management. 4 Hours. Theories and concepts of organizational behavior and public management from economics, sociology and political science. Organizational decision making, bureaucracy, organizational change and learning, public versus private organizations, leadership, and organizational culture. Prerequisite: Admission to the MPA Program or consent of the instructor. 27

29 PA 460: Data Management. 4 Hours. Database theory and constructing and managing databases relevant to the operation of government. Utilizes database software and allows students to gain practice with complex database programs and development of a database system. Prerequisite: Admission to the MPA Program or consent of the instructor. PA 461: Management of Information Technology in Government. 4 Hours. Concepts and methods of planning, implementing, and managing new information technology or modifying existing technology. Factors contributing to difficulties of implementing information technology decisions and strategies for increasing the likelihood of changing current technology. Prerequisite: Admission to the MPA Program or consent of the instructor. PA 462: Project Management. 4 Hours. Application of the Internet for public management. Web-based service delivery, online governance, discusses the theory, principles, tools and techniques behind solid project management. This course relates the use of project management skills in today s public sector environment, where public administrators are required to deliver upon time-sensitive, critical projects while also attempting to keep the scope and costs in check. The Project Management Institute s (PMI) standards for project management will be emphasized throughout the course. PA 463: E-government. 4 Hours. Application of the Internet for public management. Web-based service delivery, online governance, the technological divide, and the changing role of public managers. Prerequisite: Admission to the MPA Program or consent of the instructor.490. Field Experience in Public Administration. 6 Hours. Students work in an organization such as a government agency, community group, or nonprofit organization. Students are required to submit written work and guide group discussions relevant to their experience and agency. Prerequisite: Admission to the MPA program or consent of the instructor. PA 465: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Public Managers. Geographic information systems (GIS) technologies rapidly are becoming a central feature in day to day operations and the decision support systems of many public sector organizations. Individuals completing this course will have an understanding of fundamental GIS tools and applications as well as the challenges in implementing and sustaining a GIS function in the public setting. PA 490: Field Experience in Public Administration. Students work in an organization such as a governmental agency, community group, or non-profit organization. Students are required to submit written work and meet with professor on periodic basis to review work experience. Students who have no prior work experience in the public 28