School of Public Policy and Administration

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
http://www.sppa.udel.edu/content/graduate-programs
Faculty Listing: http://www.sppa.udel.edu/content/faculty

Program Overview

The School of Public Policy and Administration offers opportunities for graduate work in urban affairs, public policy, historic preservation, disaster research and public administration. The School offers five graduate degree programs: a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, a Master of Science in Disaster Science and Management, and a Ph.D. in Disaster Science and Management. The School also offers a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation.

Coursework in the School is organized on a multidisciplinary and policy-oriented basis. Faculty members are drawn from political science, economics, sociology, geography, public administration, planning, law, and related fields. In addition, students have numerous opportunities to work on community and policy-related research and service projects undertaken by the school through its various affiliated centers. Students may also work in public and non-profit professional agencies through the school’s internship program. The School is nationally recognized for its integration of theory and practice - “The Delaware Model” of public affairs education.

Requirements for Admission

The admission policy of the School of Public Policy and Administration seeks to foster a diverse student body in terms of age, sex, race, and cultural background. The School, therefore, uses several criteria in assessing a prospective student’s motivation, interests, and ability to perform successfully in its graduate programs. The qualifications of each applicant are considered in the context of the student’s unique background, accomplishments, and interests. While the six degrees are aimed at students with different career goals, the admissions committees consider these criteria when evaluating all applicants:

Genuine interest in and motivation to undertake academic work in urban affairs, public policy, historic preservation, disaster science & management, or public administration, as evidenced by application material and, for PhD students, an interview with the program director, or a member of the program admissions committee.
The ability to complete a graduate degree program successfully, as reflected in prior academic work, and letters of recommendation from faculty, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, and examples of academic or professional written work of the candidate.
Ability to apply previously acquired competencies to problem areas, community, or organizational needs as measured by contributions in and the nature of professional work experience, volunteer service, and/or internships with assessments by faculty, professionals, and/or community leaders. Indicators of the quality and extent of previous professional work experience suggestive of the capability for a public service career are particularly important with regard to admission to the Master of Public Administration program.
For students whose first language is not English, a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based test or 550 on the paper-based test or 79 on the IBET Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.

In addition, admission to the PhD program requires completion of a master’s degree. Academic performance at the master’s level, potential for professional achievement, and compatibility of student interests with areas of research specialization in the program are key criteria for admission to the PhD program.

Admission is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

The program in Public Administration is offered by the School of Public Policy and Administration. The mission of the Master of Public Administration program is to provide diverse, talented graduate students with specific competencies for leadership and management, including the knowledge, skills, and values essential to accountable and effective practice.

The MPA program contributes directly to solutions to public challenges of our times through research and public service projects that involve students in experiential learning. The program also seeks to develop relationships with practitioners, fostering a professional focus and approach to public administration and non-profit management and furthering the values of the field.

Disaster Science and Management (MS, PhD)

Telephone: (302) 831-6618
www.sppa.udel.edu/content/ms-disaster-science-and-management
www.sppa.udel.edu/content/phd-disaster-science-and-management
Faculty Listing: www.sppa.udel.edu/content/people

Program Overview

The Disaster Science and Management (DISA) program offers programs leading to master’s and doctoral degrees. It is an interdisciplinary program that draws faculty from several different units including the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, the School of Public Policy and Administration, the School of Nursing, and the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment. The program is administered through the Disaster Research Center and the School of Public Policy & Administration. Two graduate degree programs are offered: a Master in Science and a Doctor of Philosophy.

Requirements for Admission

Students will be admitted to the program based on enrollment availability and their ability to meet the following minimum recommended entrance requirements.

Applicants to the MS program must have:

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Written statement of goals and objectives (the personal statement) that clearly identifies the applicant’s research and curriculum interests and explains how admission to the program will facilitate his or her professional objectives.

Applicants to the PhD Program must have:

MS or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university.
A graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Written statement of goals and objectives (the personal statement) that clearly identifies the applicant’s research and curriculum interests and explains how admission to the program will facilitate his or her professional objectives.

GRE scores in the sixty-fifth percentile or better for the verbal section and fiftieth percentile or better for the quantitative section, and a score of 4.0 or above on the analytical section are recommended.

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer appropriate strengths.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance for students in the DISA program is available on a competitive basis. Preference for graduate student stipends will be first given to students in the PhD program, then students in the MS program with the thesis option and finally to students in the MS program with no thesis. Students receiving full stipends will be expected to work 20 hours per week on faculty projects and students are expected to maintain full-time status.

Historic Preservation (Graduate Certificate)

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
http://www.sppa.udel.edu/content/ma-historic-preservation
Faculty Listing: http://www.sppa.udel.edu/content/faculty

Programs

Master’s

Doctorate

Certificate

Historic Preservation Certificate

4+1

School of Public Policy and Administration

Program Overview

Requirements for Admission

Urban Affairs And Public Policy (PhD)

Urban Affairs and Public Policy (MA)

Public Administration (MPA)

Disaster Science and Management (MS, PhD)

Program Overview

Requirements for Admission

Financial Assistance

Historic Preservation (Graduate Certificate)

Programs