Critical deadlines if you are planning to complete a program this semester
This email is being sent to the email address you provided on the Fall DPA advising questionnaire survey.
All students planning to complete one or more programs this semester should read this email carefully for deadlines which apply to their program(s), and retain for future reference. Completing PhD students should also seek advising from Dr. Stanley.
For continuing students, advising reminders will be announced via email later in the semester when registration begins. In the meantime if you have a question, contact your
advisor or if unavailable, contact
Dr. Stanley.
You're coming down the home stretch - let's stay on track for a successful degree or certificate completion!
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ALL PROGRAMS: Apply to graduate in myTSU by October 15
If you are planning to complete a certificate OR degree OR both this semester, you should
apply to graduate immediately if you have not already done so. See the "Apply to Graduate" link in the Banner student records area of myTSU (
Grad School info on graduation). This process does not take a long time but it is essential and required by the University. You have to create a separate application to graduate inside of myTSU for
each program you are completing this semester.
If you did this last semester but didn't finish, you must recreate the application(s); applications do NOT carry over from previous semesters.
Remember per TSU policy, to complete any TSU graduate program you must have a 3.0 GPA or better cumulative across all TSU graduate coursework.
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MPA: Notify us of your intent to take the comp exam by October 15
If you have not already done so this semester, please email Dr. Stanley your Request to take comps form ASAP. If you sent the form in a previous semester and didn't sit for the comps then, please send another form so we know your intent this semester. ♦
MPA: Take the comprehensive exam on October 26
If you are planning to take the MPA comprehensive exam this semester, the comp exam date is Friday October 26, beginning at 8:45am.
(Upcoming dates are always posted at the top of the
MPA program page.)
On the day of the exam, report at 8:45am to Suite F, PA Department, 4th Floor Avon Williams; plan to be here till 12 noon. The format of exam is blue book essay; choose 3 out of 4 questions to answer (you must answer 3 questions total for exam to be graded). Blue books will be provided. Questions to Dr. Stanley; more info including resources to help prepare available at the
FAQ - MPA Comprehensive Exams. ♦
CERTIFICATES: Completion of certificate form due by November 2
If you are completing a certificate this semester, with or without the MPA, you must also complete the Completion of certificate form. Fill it out, sign and email a scan or photo to your advisor by November 2.
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MPA: Writing portfolio (all students) and Internship Exemption Packet (if applicable) due by November 2
All MPA completers must submit their Writing Portfolio (
instructions and form) via email to their advisor (in form of a single PDF file). MPA completers who had approval from their advisor to apply for the internship exemption must also
submit the Internship Exemption Packet (instructions and form) via email to their adviser (in form of a single PDF file) by the deadline. This exemption option is only for students with one or more years of approved professional experience in a public or nonprofit sector setting, after consultation with advisor to determine eligibility. For both types of material, the advisor reviews the submitted materials and notifies the student of approval or further steps. Timely submission of these docuemnts is needed to allow for this review process, so you can be cleared for graduation.
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MPA: Consider Pi Alpha Alpha membership
Students completing the MPA with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or better in their final semester, or those who have graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or better, are eligible for Pi Alpha Alpha, the honors society for public administration. Please contact
Dr. Campbell to find out if you are eligible and to learn about this opportunity. You can also read the
FAQ - Pi Alpha Alpha, the honor society for public administration.♦
MPA: Find out about Commencement Ceremony plans
Stay current on procedures for getting regalia, rehearsal, etc. at the
TSU Commencement website. There is usually a mid-semester event at the bookstore related to this, check the website for date early in the semester. Please note that only students completing a degree program participate in Commencement; certificate completers are not eligible. The exact time and location of commencement will be posted at the
TSU Commencement website.
FYI: Degree program graduates from Summer and Fall may walk in the December ceremony. (There are no commencement ceremonies held for summer graduates, but your degree will appear on transcript as granted as of August. Summer graduates may choose to walk in the ceremonies held December after the August of their actual graduation.)
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Advising resources
Program-specific information for students:
Campus resources
TSU Emergency Alert System -
Sign upID POLICY AT TSU CAMPUSES:
Please review the Campus ID policy and the ID Center website and address any questions to the ID Center at 963-5311 or idcenter@tnstate.edu.
