GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK

GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Last Updated: March 12, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION..1 PROGRAMS OF STUDY....1 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS...2 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ACCEPTED STUDENTS.....4 COURSE REQUIREMENTS...6 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS.7 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES 8 STUDENT-TO-STUDENT MESSAGE.9

INTRODUCTION The Public Administration program is housed within the School of Public Affairs, part of USF s College of Arts and Sciences. A NASPAA-accredited program that has been operating since 1977, the Masters in Public Administration serves the public affairs education and research needs of our region and the broader community. This handbook supplements, and must not be construed as a substitute for, the University of South Florida s (USF) Graduate Catalog, which is accessible on the web via: http://www.grad.usf.edu/catalog.asp. Draft Mission Statement: The USF Masters of Public Administration program provides quality education to prepare leaders in public service. Our Program s mission is to provide each student with an opportunity to enhance his or her knowledge of, and participation in, public service through continuing education, training, and development. We maximize engagement with our community through the use of applied class projects, internships, and the development of mutually beneficial exchanges with practitioners. With a focus on the concerns of our West Central Florida region, we train students to play leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. As part of this mission, the MPA program inculcates a sense of public spirit and trains leaders to acquire the skills and values needed to act in an ethical manner, respect diversity, and to nurture a sense of accountability and responsibility as public servants. USF MPA students use applied managerial skills, enhanced analytical decision-making and improved capacity to understand and solve real-world problems. Instruction: In addition to regular Public Administration faculty, the program draws on a rich and diverse pool of seasoned researchers, scholars and professionals within the School of Public Affairs, and other units of USF, as well as practicing professionals within the wider Tampa Bay region, to deliver interdisciplinary, comparative and applied knowledge to its students. PROGRAMS OF STUDY Master of Public Administration: The Masters of Public Administration is a 42-45 credit-hour professional degree program that prepares students for careers or advanced research and academic pursuits in public administration. Graduates can expect employment in leadership positions within municipal, regional, state, and federal agencies, as well as across the nonprofit sector. Public Administration degree holders may also find employment within the private sector. Graduates may also opt to embark on work leading to the Ph.D. or other advanced degrees in these fields. Executive Masters of Public Administration: The Executive Masters of Public Administration is a 36 credit-hour, fully online program intended for midcareer practitioners (at least five years of executive/managerial experience is expected) seeking to further their careers in government, nonprofit, or private sector management. 1

Available Graduate Certificates: The School of Public Affairs also offers several graduate certificate programs, some of which can be earned concurrently with the Masters degree. The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management assists current and future nonprofit administrators in developing their skills in leadership, fundraising and strategic planning. Information on the curriculum can be found here: http://www.usf.edu/innovativeeducation/programs/graduate-certificates/nonprofit-management.aspx. The Graduate Certificate in Community Development explores urban communities that have suffered from decades of disinvestment and examines the efforts of residents towards revitalization. The interdisciplinary approach weaves together perspectives to understand what communities are and how they differ; how communities fit into broader social systems; and what strategies are necessary to develop communities. The curriculum is described here: http://www.usf.edu/innovativeeducation/programs/graduate-certificates/community-development.aspx. The School also offers a Graduate Certificate in Public Management, but this cannot be earned concurrently with the masters degree. Information on the curriculum can be found here: http://www.usf.edu/innovative-education/programs/graduate-certificates/publicmanagement.aspx ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Acceptance into the Master of Public Administration is contingent upon satisfaction of the minimum requirements for entry into the Graduate School of the University of South Florida. For more on these requirements, please consult USF Graduate School website. The URL for that site is as follows: http://www.grad.usf.edu/newsite/admissions/checklist.asp. In addition, the program has specific requirements that the applicant must meet in order to be considered for admission. Taken together, four specific standards are employed to judge an applicant s admissibility into the program. These standards include the student s: Scores on the quantitative and qualitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA); Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (if applicable); 1 Statement of intent and career goals Resume Two letters of recommendation 1 The University of South Florida does not require TOEFL scores from applicants from countries where English is the language of instruction in schools. The list containing qualifying countries can be accessed through the following URL. http://www.grad.usf.edu/newsite/admissions/checklist.asp. 2

Further details on these requirements appear below. BS/BA or Equivalent Qualification Students wishing to gain admittance into the Master of Public Administration program must have a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university in the US or equivalent institution abroad. Holders of all undergraduate fields are welcomed to apply. Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA); Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (if applicable); 2 Statement of intent and career goals Resume Two letters of recommendation Further details on these requirements appear below. GPA & GRE Score: Students must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on the four point scale) in their undergraduate studies, and a GRE score of at least 153 on the verbal portion of the exam and 144 on the Quantitative portion (or 500/500 if older scores are used). The GRE must be taken within five years preceding the application date. The GRE requirement can be waived in some instances, e.g. if the applicant already has a graduate degree from a regionally accredited university; has a 3.25 or higher undergraduate GPA; has five years or more of practical, professional experience at a senior level; has completed one of SPA s graduate certificates with a GPA of 3.5 or better. Letter of Intent: A letter of intent must be submitted to the department prior to admittance. The letter of intent must clearly describe the applicant s academic and (if relevant) professional background, as well as articulate his/her interest in public service. Applicants should consider the letter an opportunity to express the specific academic goals he or she would like to pursue within the planning program. The letter of intent would generally be 1-2 pages long. Resume: Applicants should include a resume that indicates relevant professional experience. Letters of Recommendation At least two letters of recommendation must be submitted to the department as part of the application dossier. Prospective students should solicit the letters of recommendation from sources familiar with their academic/work history and performance. At least one of these letters should come from a college or university instructor. 2 The University of South Florida does not require TOEFL scores from applicants from countries where English is the language of instruction in schools. The list containing qualifying countries can be accessed through the following URL. http://www.grad.usf.edu/newsite/admissions/checklist.asp. 3

Late applications can be considered if space is available. Admissions decisions are ultimately made by the MPA Admissions Committee on a case by case basis. The committee reviews the full application packet to determine the applicant s suitability for graduate study. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ACCEPTED STUDENTS Advising: The Graduate Director or Program Director serves as the initial advisor of all newly admitted students into the MPA program. The role of the advisor is to guide the student in selecting appropriate courses during the first semester, and to review each student's progress as graduation approaches. Students may continue to work with the Director throughout their course of study, or they may choose to meet periodically with another faculty member with expertise in the student s area of interest. Students are strongly recommended to consult with the Director or another faculty member before registering each semester. The Director must approve all deviations from the standard curriculum, all internships and all internship waivers. Graduate Assistantships: The School of Public Affairs offers limited graduate assistant positions for full time students. Please complete a GA application, found on the website, to be considered for one of these highly competition positions. Additionally, we urge all students to consult the Graduate School website to review universitylevel funding opportunities. For specific information, students are advised to contact the Graduate School at (813) 974-2846, or check the Graduate School web page at www.grad.usf.edu. Scholarships, Grants, Work Study, and Loans: The Graduate School houses a Scholarship Library that allows students to access information on private sources of funding through computerized databases as well as source books. The Office of Financial Aid administers the Federal Work Study Program as well as several loan programs. Students interested in loans or work-study should apply as soon as possible after January 1 each year for the coming academic year, which starts in August. Application packets are available outside the Office of Financial Aid (SVC 1102) or by calling (813) 974-4700. Project Assistants: Project assistants are students who are hired to assist faculty with grant-funded projects. Students hired as Project Assistants will complete, for example, computer analysis, cartography, fieldwork, and/or laboratory analysis related to the project. Students may be hired on salary or on an hourly basis. The rate of pay varies from project to project. Students are selected for these 4

positions based upon the skills needed for individual projects. Students should discuss their interest in these positions with their advisors. In addition, several centers on the USF campus sometimes hire graduate students. The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), and the Florida Center for Community Design and Research (FCCDR) from time to time seek students to work on grant-funded projects in the areas of transportation, land use, and environmental planning. Students may submit applications for employment at these offices. Minority Scholarships & Fellowships: The University of South Florida offers a number of financial assistance specifically to minority students. Preference is given to first-time graduate students in underrepresented disciplines. For more information on financial assistance opportunities at USF, click on the following link: http://www.grad.usf.edu/funding.asp. Internships: All students not currently working in the field of Public Administration must take at least three credits and may take up to six credits of internship. Faculty may suggest placement sites or circulate notices of open internship positions, but ultimately students are responsible for securing an internship with the approval of the program director. The three-credit internship requires a minimum of 150 hours of work over the course of the semester; some internship placements may require more hours. The Director can exempt students who are working in an appropriate agency with managerial duties from this requirement. Transfer of Credits: With the approval of the Director, up to 12 semester hours of a student s credit hours earned under the non-degree-seeking status, or at another recognized graduate school, may count towards fulfilling the MPA degree requirements. Students transferring from other regionally accredited masters programs may request to transfer in up to 20 credits. Students who have completed one of SPA s certificate programs may be able to transfer in additional credits. Credits are not transferred automatically; the Director will review the course descriptions and/or syllabi of courses to determine which will be accepted toward the MPA degree. Satisfactory Progress: A student must maintain a 3.0 ("B") grade point average in all graduate coursework. Failure to do so will result in the student being placed on probation. A student may remain on probationary status for no longer than one semester. A student who fails to improve his/her grades thereafter will be advised to withdraw from the program. In accordance with the university s policies, students must complete the masters degree within seven years from the time of initial acceptance in the program. Please consult the Graduate School s policy documents for a full discussion of satisfactory progress: http://www.grad.usf.edu/policies_sect7_full.php#standards. Student Code of Conduct: 5

The University of South Florida has a very strict Code of Conduct, which frowns seriously at misconduct, particularly academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty should be taken to include, cheating on tests, plagiarism and unlawful help on written and other assignments, stealing, buying or referring to an examination before it has been administered and abating any of the above. For further information, please visit: http://www.grad.usf.edu/policies_sect7_full.php. School and Program Communications: Official communications between the Program and its students are carried out through the USF email system. Students are responsible for checking their USF email regularly to ensure that they are receiving program information. All MPA students are automatically enrolled in a program Canvas site. Students should check that site periodically for announcements. SPA also uses social media (Twitter, Facebook) to share information. COURSE REQUIRMENTS Core Requirements: PAD 6060 Public Administration Theory and Practice PAD 6041 Ethics and Public Service PAD 6275 Political Economy for Public Managers PAD 6227 Public Budgeting PAD 6307 Policy Analysis, Implementation, and Program Evaluation PAD 6417 Human Resources Management PAD 6703 Quantitative Aids for Public Managers PAD 6710 Public Information Management Exit Requirements: PAD 6056 The Practice of Public Management ( Capstone ) Internship (for pre-service students): PAD 6946 Internship in Public Administration Electives: SPA offers a number of electives that are of interest to MPA students. Within the program we offer electives especially useful to those interested in nonprofit management, as well as courses in a variety of specialization areas. In addition, many of our Urban and Regional Planning courses are cross-listed as MPA electives. Students with specialized interests may consider electives from other departments, with the Director s permission. MPA students have found electives in areas like Emergency Management; Cybersecurity; Environmental Management; Mass Communications, among others. 4000 Level Courses: At the discretion of the Director, students may take courses at the 4000 level as part of their masters program. Such courses are approved only in rare instances in which a topic vital to the students interests is covered only in undergraduate level courses. 6

Courses Outside the University: In some circumstances students may be granted permission to take a course at another NASPAA accredited program for credit at USF. Permission to take courses at other institutions is granted if a student can demonstrate a compelling need. For example, a student is travelling/deployed for work may make such a request. Credits taken outside USF cannot exceed the university s limits. Recommended Curriculum: USF s on-campus MPA program does not follow a cohort model in which students follow a set order of courses. To accommodate a diverse student population we assume that students will take between 3 and 12 credits each semester, completing the program at a pace that suits their personal circumstances. There are, however, some guidelines we urge all students to follow: Several of the core courses teach concepts that serve as key building blocks for subsequent study, and we encourage students to complete these courses as early as possible in their program. Public Administration Theory (PAD 6060); Public Budgeting (6227); Quantitative Aids for Public Managers PAD (6703). These courses must at the very least be completed prior to enrollment in the Capstone course (PAD 6056). Students should aim to complete all their core courses as soon as their schedules allow. Each core course is generally offered once a year. We make every effort, however, to offer the Capstone course twice a year. Summer offerings are generally limited, and seldom include core courses. Students wishing to continue their studies over the summer should consider elective courses. Summer is also a good time for fulfilling internship requirements. The Capstone course should be scheduled for the student s final semester. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS There are over 600 registered student organizations at the University of South Florida. Information about student organizations can be found at http://usfstudentorganizations.orgsync.com/ There are, however, student organizations that may be of special interest to Master of Public Administration students: The Robert R. Green International City/ County Management Association- Student Chapter at USF- The ICMA chapter introduces and integrates students to local government and provides professional, social, and networking opportunities. Student Planning Organization- The SPO provides professional support, advising, and networking opportunities to MPA students interested in urban and regional planning. 7

Transportation and Livability Student Group- The student organization provides students interested in multimodal transportation with opportunities to attend professional conferences, engage in community outreach, and to network with professionals. Enrolled MPA students can log onto www.usf.edu/bullsync/ with a USF NETID to join a student organization. Community Engagement: MPA students have numerous opportunities to engage with local governments throughout the Tampa Bay region. Students may network by attending public meetings attended by elected and appointed officials. Hillsborough County Government http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/index.aspx?nid=27/ The City of Tampa http://www.tampagov.net/ Pinellas County Government http://www.pinellascounty.org/ The City of St. Petersburg http://www.stpete.org/ The City of Temple http://www.templeterrace.com/ USF s Office of Community Engagement and Partnerships (OCEP): The OCEP offers service learning and applied research opportunities for MPA students seeking relevant, real world experience in community engagement. For specific information, students are advised to contact CommunityEngagement@usf.edu or visit the OCEP website http://www.usf.edu/engagement/students/index.aspx/ STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES International Students: International Services (IS) at USF is the advising office for international students. Perspective or current MPA students can access information regarding employment, career planning, immigration compliance, and visa status at: Prospective students- http://global.usf.edu/is/pro-students.php/ Current students- http://global.usf.edu/is/cur-students.php/ For specific information, students are advised to contact International Services at (813) 974-5102 or E-mail: internationalservices@usf.edu, or check the International Services web page at http://global.usf.edu/is/index.php/ Writing Center: USF s Writing Studio is a free resource for undergraduate and graduate students. At the writing studio, a trained writing consultant will work individually with you on anything you're writing (in or out of class), at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an 8

appointment, visit the UWC website at http://www.lib.usf.edu/, stop by LIB-125- second floor, or call 813.974.8293. SMARTHINKING: MPA students that are unable to make it to the writing center may utilize SMARTHINKING, an online tutoring service that offers remote assistance on research papers by trained writing consultants For more information go to http://www.lib.usf.edu/writing/smarthinking/ Research Librarians: Subject librarians are available to MPA students through USF s library services. The assigned MPA librarian offers expert advice in finding publicsector resources for course- relevant research projects. For specific information students are advised to visit http://www.lib.usf.edu/library-research/find-my-librarian/ Student Services: USF s Office of Student Affairs coordinates education and support services for enrolled students. MPA students seeking career services, housing resources, veteran services, counseling, victims assistance and advocacy, and student health services should visit the Student Affairs website at http://www.sa.usf.edu/departments/index.htm/ or call 813-974-5533. Student Disability Services (SDS): There are numerous resources at USF for MPA students with documented disabilities. Specific information for current and prospective MPA students regarding SDS can be obtained by calling 813-974-7337 or by visiting the SDS website at http://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/student-disabilities-services/ Other Important Resources for MPA Students: USF Office of Graduate School Studies Phone: 813-974-2846 Office: SVC 1036 Website: http://www.grad.usf.edu/ USF Tampa Bookstore Phone: 813-974- 2631 Office: BKS 0269 Website: http://sftampa.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/bncbhomepage?storeid=1505 6&catalogId=10001&langId=-1/ University Scholarships & Financial Aid Services Phone: 813-974- 3780 Office: SVC 1102 Website: http://usfweb2.usf.edu/finaid/ STUDENT-TO-STUDENT MESSAGE The purpose of this handbook is to help you succeed in your graduate studies and to prepare you for a career in the public or nonprofit sector. Our current MPA students have offered some of their own recommendations for success in the program: Become active in one of the School of Public Affairs student associations. Monitor your Canvas and USF email accounts often. Frequently monitor your USF email. 9

Get to know the faculty and consult with them often. Attend regional and national conferences when possible. 10