Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
https://www.sppa.udel.edu/grad-education/graduate-education
Faculty Listing: https://www.sppa.udel.edu/people/faculty

Program Overview

The Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration offers opportunities for graduate work in urban affairs, public policy, disaster research, public administration, and historic preservation. The school offers graduate degree programs including: Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Master of Arts (M.A.) in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, Master of Science (M.S.) and Ph.D. in Disaster Science and Management, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Policy. 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, health policy, environmental poolicy, disaster science, 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 Joseph R. Biden, Jr. 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 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 105 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.

In addition, admission to the Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. programs.

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.

Urban Affairs and Public Policy (Ph.D.)

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
https://www.sppa.udel.edu/grad-education/graduate-education/ph-d-in-urban-affairs-public-policy
Faculty Listing: https://www.sppa.udel.edu/people/faculty

The Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy is an interdisciplinary, research oriented degree that focuses on analysis of the critical policy challenges of our times. Our program prepares scholars to create useable knowledge to inform decision making, and to positively impact the quality of life in communities at all scales, from cities to nations. Our doctoral students work alongside our faculty to create new knowledge that expands the possibilities for community enhancement and policy improvement across our nation and our world.

The challenges of our times are not neatly bundled in disciplinary packages as political, economic, or sociological problems. Our doctoral program prepares scholars to approach these multifaceted challenges from creative vantage points, reflecting diverse perspectives that transcend disciplinary views and reflect the highest standards of research and a truly global outlook.

Urban Affairs and Public Policy (M.A.)

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
https://www.sppa.udel.edu/grad-education/graduate-education/m-a-in-urban-affairs-public-policy
Faculty Listing: https://www.sppa.udel.edu/people/faculty

The M.A. in Urban Affairs & Public Policy prepares students to address many of the critical challenges facing communities at all levels, from neighborhoods to the nation: health, education, housing, civil rights, poverty, economic growth, media policy, and environmental quality. Because these challenges are not neatly bundled in disciplinary packages as political, economic, or sociological, the M.A. program is distinctively interdisciplinary. We equip our students with the diverse knowledge and experience needed to address policy challenges from creative vantage points, and we encourage them to adopt a truly global outlook on policy solutions.

Our educational model supports active, experiential learning at all stages. Students work side-by-side with faculty on urban and policy research and analysis designed to create and utilize knowledge that informs decisions and policies. Our faculty and students are focused on making a positive impact on the quality of life in the communities they serve, forming a bridge between the communities of ideas and the community of action. M.A. students are invited to participate in real world projects, enriching and applying what they learn in the classroom while they gain valuable practical experience that will help them launch productive careers.

Public Administration (M.P.A.)

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
http://www.sppa.udel.edu/content/master-public-administration
Faculty Listing: https://www.sppa.udel.edu/people/faculty

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) in the School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA) at the University of Delaware is a professional degree program that trains diverse, motivated students to lead and manage public and not-for-profit organizations. Our distinctive MPA program utilizes the ‘Delaware Model’ to integrate academic excellence with professional experience for aspiring and practicing public and not-for-profit managers. Through coursework and experiential learning, the degree develops the leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills that are critical to competent, values-based decision-making in diverse, changing, and multi-sectored environments.

Disaster Science and Management (M.S.)

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
https://www.sppa.udel.edu/grad-education/graduate-education/m-s-in-disaster-science-management
Faculty Listing: https://www.sppa.udel.edu/people/faculty

The M.S. in Disaster Science and Management program approaches disasters from a distinctly interdisciplinary point of view. The program emphasizes theories, research methodologies, and policies related to emergency preparedness, mitigation, management, and response.

Two master’s degree options are offered in the disaster program - a non-thesis M.S. and an M.S. with thesis. The non-thesis M.S. is considered to be a terminal, professional degree. Students interested in research or continuing for a Ph.D. should consider the thesis option.

Disaster Science and Management (Ph.D.)

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
https://www.sppa.udel.edu/grad-education/graduate-education/ph-d-in-disaster-science-management
Faculty Listing: https://www.sppa.udel.edu/people/faculty

The Ph.D. in Disaster Science & Management program approaches disasters and emergencies from an interdisciplinary point of view. The program emphasizes theories, research methodologies, and policies related to emergency preparedness, mitigation, management, and response.

Historic Preservation (Graduate Certificate)

Telephone: (302) 831-1687
https://www.sppa.udel.edu/grad-education/graduate-education/certificate-in-historic-preservation
Faculty Listing: https://www.sppa.udel.edu/people/faculty

The School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA) at the University of Delaware offers a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation that introduces students to the current state of best practices in historic preservation and their theoretic underpinnings; explains the historic preservation planning process including development of preservation policies and treatment approaches; and provides basic skills and methodologies needed for the profession (including measured drawing, architectural photography, and archival research).

The Certificate can be pursued by students in any graduate degree program, by undergraduates concurrently with any undergraduate degree program, or by practicing professionals or other non-UD students.

Energy and Environmental Policy Program (MEEP, Ph.D.)

Ismat Shah, Director

Telephone: (302) 831-0950
MEEP http://ceep.udel.edu/academic-progra/graduate-programs/meep/
Ph.D. http://ceep.udel.edu/academic-progra/graduate-programs/phd-enep/
Faculty Listing: http://ceep.udel.edu/people/faculty/

The graduate program in Energy and Environmental Policy prepares students to contribute to the improvement of environmental and energy policy through the development of an interdisciplinary understanding of the interactions of society, resources, and the environment. The Energy and Environmental Policy Program (ENEP) offers a Masters degree and a Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Policy with support by faculty and research centers of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Business and Economics.

Programs

Master’s

Doctorate

Certificate

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