Master of Public Administration Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the M.P.A. program offered by the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Western 麻豆传媒应用 University. Additional admission questions can be found in the application section. If you have other questions regarding the M.P.A. program, please contact us. Prospective students may wish to contact an M.P.A. advisor for more information on the admissions process or the program itself. Advisors are available for virtual and in-person appointments.
Tuition
Are there different tuition rates for a resident student versus a non-resident?
Yes. The current tuition and fee rates are available at the WMU Registrar's Office web page. Also noted different rated for face-to-face verses online courses.
Admissions
Am I required to submit GRE or GMAT scores?
No. If you have taken these tests, you may choose to submit your scores as additional evidence of your academic preparation.
What are the M.P.A. admission standards?
You must complete an undergraduate degree program before you matriculate. If you earned an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, you may be granted regular admission. If you earned less than a 3.0, you may be admitted on a conditional status. In general, the lower the undergraduate GPA, the greater the importance of your employment history and essay responses. A discussion of the admission process is available on the admissions page.
Does the M.P.A. program have any prerequisites?
There is not a specified list of courses that you must complete before you begin the M.P.A. program. However, you are expected to have a good understanding of computers (word processing and spreadsheets) and the American political processes at the local, state and national levels (how a bill becomes law, the roles of the three branches of government, etc.). Occasionally a student is accepted with an additional course such as U.S. National Government required in their first semester of course work.
What application materials am I required to submit?
To apply for admission to the M.P.A. program you must submit:
- The Graduate Application.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions that you attended, except WMU.
- Resume.
- Personal Essay.
For more information concerning the application process and materials, consult the Master of Pubic Administration: Admissions and Application page.
What are the deadlines for submitting application materials?
SPAA makes admissions decisions on a rolling basis, usually within one week of receiving a completed application. Applying much earlier is strongly advised for international students or those seeking other financial assistance.
University policies
Is there a time limit for completing the M.P.A. degree?
Yes. University policy stipulates that all requirements applied toward a master鈥檚 degree must be completed within six years of enrolling in the first course. The six-year clock starts when the first class is taken (including those that may be transferred to WMU) rather than when you are admitted to the program. If program requirements are not completed within this time frame, a student must:
- Work with the MPA advisor to apply for a program extension using the Program Time Extension Form. Approval of an extension request is not guaranteed so you are strongly encouraged to schedule your courses so that all program requirements can be completed within six years.
- Retake the course(s) that were completed more than six years prior to the anticipated graduation.
What is the policy concerning religious holidays and class attendance?
The University recognizes religious holidays of many faiths. If, due to the observance of a religious holiday, a student is unable to attend class, discuss the matter with instructors well in advance of the holiday to determine what accommodations are acceptable for each specific course.
Under what conditions are incompletes granted?
Incomplete grades are typically permitted only in unusual circumstances. The decision to assign an incomplete grade rests with the instructor, and may be determined by their course syllabus and policies. If a student needs to request an incomplete, they should discuss the matter with the instructor as early as possible. Please do not wait until the last week of the semester or term.
Is there a deadline for fulfilling the requirements of an Incomplete?
Yes. University policy stipulates that all work must be completed within one year. If the remaining tasks for the course are not completed within one year, the incomplete is automatically translated into an X. This grade has the same impact on the GPA as an E. An instructor may shorten this period when an incomplete grade is assigned by informing the student of the requirements for converting the incomplete grade to a letter grade.
Scheduling courses
How long will it take to complete the M.P.A. program?
A full-time student may complete the program in two calendar years while most students working a full-time job will take 3 to 4 years to complete their MPA. The key to good progress is to work closely with the MPA advisor and to stick with the program plan that you鈥檒l develop early in your program.
Is there an order in which courses should be taken?
While students may take courses in any order, there is a recommended order of courses to maximize learning. This recommended order includes taking 6000 and 6010 before taking other core courses, and taking 6060 as soon thereafter as possible. PADM 6001 is a 1-credit hour course that should be taken in each student鈥檚 first fall or spring semester of study. Realistically, the course order depends on student needs and course availability and that is why a Multiyear Graduate Course Plan is published at the SPAA website.
Should I complete all of the core requirements before I enroll in my elective courses?
No. The courses for your individualized Area of Emphasis can be taken in conjunction with core courses.
At what point in the program should I enroll in Capstone Portfolio I and II (PADM 6001 and 6800)?
Capstone Portfolio I introduces students to the program and helps create the MPA program of study and an understanding of the Capstone Portfolio II requirement. It is important that students begin the program with PADM 6001 in their first fall or spring semester, and end it with PADM 6800. Students will need to incorporate concepts and artifacts (papers, exams, presentations, etc.) from individual courses and their professional/volunteer work when preparing their final portfolio in PADM 6800.
How many credit hours should I complete before enrolling in PADM 7120: Professional Field Experience?
At least half the credit hours toward your M.P.A. degree must be completed before enrolling in PADM 7120: Professional Field Experience, if required. In order to secure an internship that conforms to your needs and skills or ensure that the internship you arrange meets the requirements of the program, contact your advisor at least one semester prior to the desired internship start date.
Internships
How can I get information about available internships?
The M.P.A. internship coordinator, Dr. Matthew Mingus. Dr. Mingus may have information on available internships and will be able to help you set one up. In addition, as the school is made aware of internship opportunities, they are often emailed to registered students. If you need an internship, contact Dr. Mingus at least one semester prior to enrolling in PADM 7120.
How many hours must I work in order to fulfill the internship requirement?
The internship is a 300-hour commitment. This requirement translates into 20 hours per week for 15 weeks. There is, however, the option of spreading the hours over a longer period of time. The internship's duration as well as the starting and ending dates are negotiated with your advisor and the sponsoring agency supervisor. If the internship experience will spread across more than one semester/term, the student needs to be registered in the semester/term that the internship will start.
University administration
How do I change my address with the University?
You can submit address changes to the University via . You are also encouraged to submit address and email changes directly to the School of Public Affairs and Administration to ensure the program has current contact information.
How do I register for classes?
Registration for classes takes place via . See more information relating to the registration process and how to use GoWMU to register for classes.
Graduation
What are the deadlines for applying for graduation?
The deadlines for application for graduation are:
- April graduation deadline: October 1
- June graduation deadline: February 1
- August graduation deadline: February 1
- December graduation deadline: February 1
See more information on graduation as well as an application form. Note: if earning a Graduate Certificate, this process is still relevant even though there is not a formal graduation ceremony.
What is the process for applying for graduation?
You may apply for graduation through the See more information relating to graduation procedures and commencement.
Please inform your M.P.A. advisor(s) that your permanent program needs to be completed and submitted to the graduation auditor as soon as you receive an email from the graduation auditor requesting your permanent program. These are prepared by the School, and we鈥檒l ask you additional questions as needed.
Library services
What services are available to School of Public Affairs and Administration students?
University Libraries offer numerous services for graduate students. In addition, Waldo Library provides an for the academic journals and periodicals to which they subscribe and maintains a specific page on doing research in the field of Public Affairs and Administration. We have an assigned 鈥渟ubject matter expert鈥 librarian who is your best point of contact at Waldo Library.