Program
Director:
Linda Chen
Office: Wiekamp Hall
2189
Telephone:
(574)
520-4520
Internet
Address:
lchen@iusb.edu
Mission Statement
The mission of
the Master
of Public
Affairs program
is to prepare
students to lead
and manage
community
organizations.
Specific
Competencies and
Goals:
- in
organizational
management;
by developing an
appreciation for
and an ability
to use
theoretical
knowledge about
management and
public policy;
- in
governance;
by developing
expertise in
policy and
management,
developing an
awareness of the
economic and
legal
constraints within which
leaders
and managers
operate, and
developing the
ability to
understand and
adapt to the
ethical, social,
economic, and
political
context of
public policy;
- in
strategic action
and analysis;
by developing
the ability to
use quantitative
skills and
developing
problem solving
and critical
thinking skills;
- in coping with
globalization
and it
ramifications;
by developing an
appreciation for
the changing
scope of
governance and
the impact of
global action on
public
institutions
from the local
to the
international;
- in
professionalization;
by developing an
ethical
consciousness
and improving
communication
skills.
Program
Regulations
Completion
of Degree
Students will be
required to
complete the
degree
requirements of
all course work
within 10 years
of acceptance to
the Program. The
student's
advisor will
determine which course(s) may be
used as
substitute(s)
for the original
course
requirement(s).
Courses will
expire in 10
years so if
students take
longer than 10
years to
complete all
course
requirements
then they will
have to retake
or replace those
courses.
Therefore, it is
in
the student's
best interest to
complete all
degree
requirements
within 10 years
of entering the
Program.
Course
Registration
Students cannot
get online to
register for
classes unless
permission has
been granted by a
faculty advisor
AND an
authorization
has been made by
the Student
Services
Coordinator.This process
assists in
ensuring that
students are
aware of degree
requirements and
degree progress
which further
assists in
developing a
degree plan for
completion of
requirements.
After the
student has met
with his/her
advisor and been
granted
permission to
enroll in a
course, a
request for for
authorization
will be made by
the faculty
advisor to the
Student Services
Coordinator.
Please allow
approximately 48
hours for this
process to be
completed before
going online to
register.
Grades
Students are
required to
receive a C or
above in all
graduate
courses. If a
student receives
a grade lower
than a C, the
student must
repeat the
course. The
student must
also
maintain a B
(3.0) or above
grade point
average. If the
student's
cumulative GPA
is lower than a
3.0, that
student will be
placed on
academic
probation. If
the student is
on academic
probation, the
student must
achieve at least
a B in all
courses the
following
semester. If the
student does not
receive a B
(3.0) or above
GPA the
following
semester, the
student will
be suspended
from the Program
for a one year
period. The
student is
required to
submit a letter
to the Graduate
Director
explaining what
changes we can
anticipate in
their academic
performance in
the future The
Graduate
Admission
Committee will
review the
letter and
respond, in
writing,
regarding the
decision of the
Committee.
Academic
Integrity
Students are
responsible for
reading and
understanding
the definitions
of plagiarism in
the Code of
Student Conduct.
Penalties for
plagiarism are
severe and
immediate.
Application
Procedures
Before the Admissions Committee
can consider an applicant for admission into the
graduate program, the applicant must provide the
following credentials:
1. Complete the
Online Application
2. Personal
Statement
( there is
room for a 700
word statement
at the end of
the online
application).
In the statement
you need to
address your
academic and
career goals
and why you are
interested in an
M.P.A. degree or
certification.
3. Official transcripts from all
colleges and universities that you have
attended, send to:
Dr. Linda Chen
Graduate
Director, MPA
1700 W. Mishawaka Ave.
P.O. Box 7111
South Bend, IN 46634-7111
4.
Three letters of recommendation (can be
electronically filed at the end of the on-line application)
The individual that you choose should be
familiar with your
academic
background and
your potential
for graduate
studies.
5.
A non-refundable Application Fee
of $45 ($55 for
International Students).
6.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE). If your
undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0 (on a scale
of 4.0) you must take the Graduate Record
Examination. You are responsible
for taking the
examination and
having the
results sent to:
Office of
Graduate
Admission
Administration
Building Room
246
1700 W.
Mishawaka Ave.
P.O. Box 7111
South Bend, IN
46634-7111
The GRE results
must be sent in
time to meet the
deadline for
application
review. You must
have taken the
test within the
past 3 years.
You are required
to receive a
score
of at least 900
for the verbal
and quantitative
sections
combined. (www.ets.org/gre).
7. Deadlines;
Application
materials will
be reviewed by
the SPEA
Graduate
Admission
Committee. In
order to review
your materials
and communicate
the committee's
decision
to you in time
for
registration,
you need to
submit your
materials based
on the following
established
deadlines.
For Fall
semester
admittance
- May 1st
For Spring
semester
admittance -
October 1st
For Summer
semester
admittance -
February 1st
8. Committee
Decisions; A
letter will be
sent to the
address on your
application
within two weeks
of the above
dates. The
possible
decisions of the
committee are as
follows:
Admit
-
no other
materials,
tests, or
prerequisite
classes are
required
Conditional
Admit -
acceptance into
the M.P.A.
Program based on
a variety of
conditions which
may include
prerequisite
course work,
grade
requirement in a
certain number
of beginning
level graduate
courses,
submission of
additional
information.
Rejection
with explanation
- not admitted
to the M.P.A.
Program. On rare
occasions the
committee may
decide to reject
an application
but recommend
certain
deficiencies
be rectified
before the
application will
be reviewed in
the future.
9. Tuition /
Fees/ Financial
Aid; Tuition
and fees are
assessed based
on the course(s)
taken and the
student's
residency
status. For more
information
please contact
the
Bursar's Office
at 574-520-4253
(www.iusb.edu/`bursarsb)
and for
financial aid
please contact
the Office of
Financial Aid at
574-520-4357 (finaid@iusb.edu)
10. Housing;
Indiana
University South
Bend is
primarily a
commuter campus.
At this time,
there are no
residence halls.
Those who are
accepted and
enroll in a
program of study
and live outside
of commuting
distances will
need to secure
housing on their
own. Students
new to the area
can consult
IUSB's housing
website for more
information at
www.iusb.edu/`sbhousing.
11. Students
seeking to
enroll in
classes to
complete the
requirements for
a certificate in
the M.P.A.
program must
complete all
parts of the
application
process.
Master of Public
Affairs
(M.P.A.)
The Master of
Public Affairs (M.P.A.)
program is an
interdisciplinary,
professional
program that
prepares
students for
positions in
local, state, or
federal
government,
quasi-governmental
service,
or the
non-profit
(including
philanthropic)
arena. It
broadens
student's
comprehension of
the economic,
environmental,
political, and
social context
in which the
public servant
works.
The course of
study requires completion of
(1) the M.P.A.
Core; (2) the
concentration
requirement; (3)
the experimental
requirement; and
the (4)
sufficient
electives and/or
mid career
option
credit to total
48 credit hours.
The curriculum
of this program
as contained in
the core
requirements
encompasses
preparation in a
broad range of
skills relevant
to the operation
of public
agencies. It is
based on the
academic
disciplines but
not limited to
any one. It is
also
problem-oriented,
bringing the
disciplines to
bear on critical
social,
environmental,
economic, and
administrative
issues.
The M.P.A,.
Program is fully
accredited by
the National
Association of
Schools of
Public Affairs
and
Administration (NASPAA).
Degree
Requirements;
(48 hours)
Before enrolling
in the M.P.A.
program,
students must
show proficiency
in the
foundation areas
of computing,
economics,
government,
mathematics,
and statistics
to facilitate
mastery of core
course material.
Graduate credit
is not given for
work done to
satisfy these
undergraduate
requirements.
The core
requirements of
the M.P.A.
degree
consist of 18
credit hours of
work in six
courses. Each
student must
also complete
the requirements
of (at least)
one
concentration.
The experimental
requirements
ensures that
eachgraduate of the
M.P.A. program
has gained
insight into the
world of public
service by way
of an experience
outside the
classroom. This
experience may
or may not
involve the
accumulation of
credit hours
toward the
degree. The
remaining credit
hours necessary
for graduation,
if any, are
general
electives that
can be used to
add breadth to a
student's
program; to
further explore
a field of
concentration;
or to enhance
skills in
foreign languages,
quantitative
tools, and
administrative
techniques.
Core
Requirements;
(24 credit
hours) The
M.P.A. core is
designed to
ensure that each
student acquires
both
prerequisite
analytical
skills and an
understanding of
policy issues
and
governmental
processes that
compose the
environment
within which
graduates will
pursue their
careers.
Required
Courses
SPEA-V 502
Public
Management (3cr)
SPEA-V 506
Statistical
Analysis for
Effective
Decision Making
(3cr) (Must
be taken before
V680)
SPEA-V 517
Public
Management
Economics (3cr)
OR
SPEA-H 514
Health Care
Economics (3cr)
SPEA-V 540 Law
and Public
Affairs (3cr)
OR
SPEA-H 516
Health Care Law
(3cr)
SPEA-V 560
Public Finance
and Budgeting
(3cr)
SPEA-V 561
Public Human
Resources
Management (3cr)
OR
SPEA-V 522 Human
Resources
Management in
Non-Profit
Organizations
(3cr)
SPEA-V 680
Research Design
and Methods in
Public Affairs
(3cr)
SPEA-V 600
Capstone in
Public and
Environmental
Affairs (3cr) (Other
core courses
must be
completed and
the student must
have completed a
minimum of 30
credits)
Also, students
are urged to
include SPEA-V
680 Research
Design and
Methods in
Public Affairs
(3cr) in their
plans.
Concentration
Requirements;
(12 credit
hours)
Concentrations
give students
educational
experiences in a
substantive area
of interest. The
course of study
in each
concentration
area determine
in conjunction
with an advisor.
Up to 3 credit
hours of the
concentration
may be taken in
SPEA-V 585
Practicum in
Public Affairs,
if approved
in advance
by an
advisor.
Concentration
requirements may
be waived on the
same basis as
core
requirements.
Consult with an
advisor about
course
prerequisites.
Electives;
(12
credit Hours)
* When
completed, note
the semester and
year of
completion.
Record the class
number and
title.
Fields of
Concentration
Health
Systems
Administration
and Policy
Concentration;
For information
contact Dr.
Linda Chen,
Graduate
Director, MPA @
574-520-4520
Government
Administration &
Policy
Concentration ;
(12 credit
hours) The
Government
Administration &
Policy
concentration
is for managers
already employed
in governmental
or private
not-for-profit
organizations,
as well as for
students
planning for
such careers.
This
concentration
provides the
student the
opportunity to
study policy,
issues, and
programs related
to the
governmental and
social service
fields.
Required
Courses
SPEA-V 512
Public Policy
Process (3cr)
SPEA-V 523 Civil
Society and
Public Policy
(3cr)
SPEA-V 563 The
Planning Process
OR SPEA-V 595
Managerial
Decision Making
(3cr)
SPEA-V 578
introduction to
Comparative and
International
Affairs (3cr)
Non-Profit
Administration &
Policy
Concentration;
(12 credit
hours)
Required Courses
SPEA-V 523
Civil Society
and Public
Policy
SPEA-V 525
Management in
the Nonprofit
Sector
SPEA-V 526
Financial
Management for
Non-Profit
Organizations
SPEA-V 558 Fund
Development for
Nonprofits
Certificate
Programs
Three graduate
certificates are
offered at
Indiana
University South
Bend, they are:
Certificate
in Health
Systems
Management
Certificate
in No-Profit
Management
Certificate
in Public
Management
In order to
apply to
the certificate
programs a
student must
have a bachelor
degree from an
accredited
college or
university. The
Graduate
Admission
Committee meets
three times a
year to consider
applications for
admission. To be
considered in
the August,
December, or
April meetings,
applicants must
have all
materials in
SPEA recorder's
office by
mid-July,
mid-November,
or mid-March
respectively.
Students must
pay a
non-refundable
$45.00
application fee.
Program
Restrictions;
1. Students
enrolled in a
certificate
program must
complete it
within 15 credit
hours of
approved SPEA
course work with
a minimum
cumulative GPA
of 3.0. Failure
to do so results
in
automatic
dismissal from
the certificate
program
2. Students who
have completed
more than three
SPEA courses are
not eligible for
admission to a
certificate
program
3. Transfer
credit, course
substitutions,
or course
waivers are not
accepted for
meeting the
Public
Management,
Non-Profit
Management, or
Health Systems
Management
certificate
requirements.
4. Students
admitted to a
SPEA graduate
degree program
are not eligible
for admission to
the certificate
program or
eligible for the
award of a
certificate.
5. Admission to
or successful
completion of a
certificate
program does not
guarantee
subsequent
admission to a
SPEA graduate
degree program.
6. Students
enrolled in the
certificate
program who
apply to SPEA's
graduate program
must meet all
existing
admission
requirements.
7. Students
panning to
request
admission to a
SPEA graduate
program after
successfully
completing a
certificate
program should
refer to the
apllication
procedures
presented
earlier.
Certificate in
Health Systems
Management;
For information
contact Dr.
Linda Chen,
Graduate
Director, MPA @
574-520-4520
Certificate of
Non-Profit
Management;
(15 credit
hours) This
certificate is
designed to
serve the needs
of individuals
who would like
exposure to the
non-profit
sector and
non-profit
management
issues but who
do not wish or
need to pursue a
degree in
non-profit
management. The
certificate
compliments
other courses of
study or career
experience in
such areas
as social work,
library science,
and parks and
recreation.
Students
pursuing a
non-profit
management
certificate gain
an understanding
of how to work
in and with
non-profit
organizations.
Required
Courses; (9
credit hours)
SPEA-V 522 Human
Resource
Management in
Non-Profit
Organizations
(3cr)
SPEA-V 525
Management in
the Non-Profit
Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 526
Financial
Management for
Non-Profit
Organizations
(3cr)
Electives;
(6 credit hours)
Two additional
SPEA graduate
courses are
selected with
the approval of
the student's
advisor. A
sampling of
current course
titles include:
Non-Profit and
Voluntary
Sector,
Ethics and
Values of
Philanthropy,
Fund Development
for Non-Profit
Organizations,
Public Relations
in Non-Profits,
and History of
Philanthropy in
the West.
Note *
Students
interested in
continuing for a
Master in Public
Affairs (M.P.A.)
should consider
selecting the
electives from
the non-profit
management
concentration.
Certificate of
Public
Management;
(15 credit
hours) This
certificate
program is
flexible enough
to be adapted to
the needs of
pre-career and
in-service
individuals.
Graduate
students in
other
disciplines can
use the program
to supplement
their primary
fields with
course work in
public
management,
possibly using
the certificate
courses as part
or all
of a doctoral or
master's degree
minor. Career
employees of
public and
private sector
agencies seeking
courses in
public
management, and
especially those
changing from
professional or
technical roles
to managerial
roles, find the
certificate
program
beneficial.
Required
Courses; (9
credit hours)
SPEA-V 502
Public
Management (3cr)
SPEA-V 560
Public Finance
and Budgeting
(3cr)
SPEA-V 561
Public Human
Resources
Management (3cr)
Electives;
(6 credit hours)
Two additional
SPEA graduate
pubic affairs
courses approved
by the program
director.
Note * Students
interested in
continuing on
for the Master
of Public
Affairs (M.P.A.)
degree should
consider
selecting the
two elective
courses from the
M.P.A. core; one
of the courses
recommended is
V506 Statistical
Analysis for
Effective
Decision Making.
Mid-Career
Credit Option
The Graduate
Admission
Committee of the
School of Public
and
Environmental
Affairs may
grant up to 12
credit hours
toward the
Master of Public
Affairs (M.P.A.)
degree for
students who
have
had
significant
technical,
administrative,
or policy-level
work experience
in their
background.
Credit will be
granted for work
experience
gained until the
end of the
semester in
which
the student
completes 24
credit hours
according to the
following
guidelines:
1. To receive 3
credit hours, a
student must
have a minimum
of 1 year's
technical,
administrative,
or policy-level
work experience
with a
government or
private agency
2. 6 credit
hours will be
awarded for 1 to
4 years of
managerial
experience in
directing
programs,
preparing
budgets, and
making decisions
on
organizational
or staff
development, or
for 1 to 4 years
of professional
experience in
policy analysis
or planning.
3. Those with 4
or more years of
executive
assignment may
be awarded 9 to
12 credit hours.
Applicants must
have had the
responsibility
for supervision
of high-level
staff,
budget
preparation, and
organizational
control of
public agencies,
or executive
responsibility
for policy
analysis or
planning.
Students are
eligible to
apply for
mid-career
credit at the
time of
application to
the M.P.A.
program or
during the first
semester of
their M.P.A.
graduate studies
in order to take
full advantage
of available
credit.
Determination of
mid-career
credit is made
separately from
decisions about
transfer credit.
Under no
circumstances
will the
mid-career
credit and
transfer credit
total more than
21 credit hours
of the 48
required for the
M.P.A. degree.
.
For specific
degree
requirements for
admission into
the program
click
here.