University deadline to apply to graduate is March 15. MPA Comps March 22
University deadline to apply to graduate is March 15. MPA Comps March 22
CPS  
The College of Public Service at Tennessee State University

Department of Public Administration
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FINISHING UP THIS SEMESTER?

If you are planning to complete your program(s) this semester, you should schedule advising ASAP to go over completion requirements and ensure that you are on track with paperwork and final steps.  Contact your advisor via email to request an in-person or phone appointment. All students must apply to graduate for the Spring semester within myTSU by the March 15 University deadline, but individual programs have other requirements as well which your advisor can go over with you. MPA students need to file their request to take the comprehensive exam form; the comprehensive exam is scheduled for 8:45am on Friday, March 22.
Here are instructions on how to apply for graduation provided by Ms. Whitworth in the Graduate School  (for a degree OR certificate; if finishing more than one program, you need to create an application to graduate for each program separately). Note that commencement details pertain to degree completers only. Students who applied to graduate in a prevoius semester, but did not graduate, must reapply. 

Graduation Application Instructions - applications are due by March 15, 2019
  1. Log into MyTSU
  2. Click Banner Services Tab
  3. Click the “Student” link
  4. Click the “Student Records” link
  5. Click “Apply to Graduate” link
  6. Select any term that shows and click Submit
  7. Your most recent curriculum should be listed.  If this is the correct curriculum, select it and click continue.  If it is not, please see the FAQ regarding the next step. This is the major, minor, and/or concentration that you are selecting as your major for your diploma.  It is extremely important that it is correct.
  8. Select any term that shows [to finish this semester, should select Spring 2019].
  9. Indicate if you are planning to attend the Commencement Ceremony. [Those who complete a certificate only do not walk at Commencement but normally certificate receipt information will be listed in the program]
  10. Your name, as it is listed in Banner, is what will appear on your diploma.
  11. Indicate the address where you would like your diploma mailed.
  12. CAREFULLY REVIEW the summary page, then if everything is correct, print the page AND submit it. **Submitting the Graduation Application with the incorrect information may delay the accurate awarding of your degree.

FINISHING UP NEXT SEMESTER?

Those of you planning to complete your program(s) in the upcoming semester, please note deadlines and necessary steps as you begin your final semester - MPA students should read the handbook sections and associated FAQs for important information: VIII.The MPA internship requirement and exemption; IX. The MPA writing portfolio requirement; X. The MPA comprehensive exam; XI. Preparing to graduate.  Comprehensive exam dates are posted online: MPA comprehensive exam dates. Those completing a certificate, please consult this FAQ - About to begin your last semester?  Getting ready to graduate (for MPA and/or Certificates).
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Reminder: MPA students who do not have one or more years of professional-level experience in the public or nonprofit sectors, or in a public affairs/governmental affairs capacity, are considered "pre-service" and must fulfill the 6-credit, 300-hour internship requirement. The determination of suitability of past experience is made by your advisor; if you are not sure if you are considered pre-service or in-service, contact your advisor to find out. If you plan to complete an intership this summer, you must contact Dr. Streams or Dr. Stanley ASAP. Approval for an internship to be eligible for credit must be given in advance, not after internship completion. Students should have successfully completed at least 15 credits of MPA coursework before seeking an internship for credit. Read moreabout the internship requirement or the process to apply for exemption from the internship requirement in section VIII of the MPA handbook.
INTERNSHIPS AT TDOT: The Tennessee Department of Transportation has a variety of internships available for this summer which may be of interest to MPA students who are pre-service and need to complete their six-credit internship, for example, in the Environmental Division Highway Beautification Office. "TDOT offers a paid internship program to introduce students to the importance of transportation and civil service.  We offer summer internships in the areas of civil engineering, finance, urban planning & development and training...2019 TDOT Summer Internship applications will be available beginning Monday, January 7, 2019 until Friday, March 8, 2019." 
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BE PROACTIVE!

When should I seek advising?

All students should request a meeting with their advisor AT A MINIMUM in the 1st semester of course-taking to complete a DRAFT program of study; a 2nd time after completing after 3-6 credits (for certificates) or 9 credits (for degrees) to do FINAL program of study form, and a 3rd time before your last semester, to prepare for graduation. Programs of study forms are online: nonprofit program of study; public policy program of study; MPA program of study. All students should check in with advisor at least via email before registering for classes EVERY SEMESTER to ensure timely progress. 

Who's my advisor?

Program advisors and contact information are listed at www.tnstate.edu/cpsua/advisors.aspx and at the bottom of this email.

Using our Graduate Certificates as a bridge to the MPA Degree

Students who successfully complete all 6 certificate courses from a graduate certificate in the TSU Department of Administration with a 3.33 GPA or better can be considered for admission to the MPA program without GRE scores. The grades from all six courses must appear on the unofficial transcript before admission is possible.Contact your advisor at the beginning of the last semester of your certificate coursework to discuss the process. Depending on the certificate, you may carry some or all courses into the MPA curriculum. You may not take courses in a program to which you have not been officially admitted without permission of the department chair.

Certificate students interested in the online MPS (Professional Studies) program

Students interesting in transitioning from a certificate to the fully online MPS (Professional Studies) program should contact Dr. Stanley for more information. Students with professional experience generally may seek exemption from the GRE admission requirement for the MPS, even before completing their certificate. The PA Executive Leadership certificate is designed to integrate well with the MPS program.

Internships

If you hope to pursue an MPA internship for credit in Spring 2019 or Summer 2019, contact Dr. Stanley ASAP if you have not done so already. You may not agree to an internship you plan to take for credit without prior approval. Learn more in handbook section VIII.The MPA internship requirement and exemption. We maintain a listing of internship and job openings. The Career Development Center at TSU also offers resources for internhsip and job-seekers - sign up for TigerTrack to be notified of opportunities.  Just be sure to check with Dr. Stanley or Dr. Streams prior to committing to an internship you learn about, to ensure it will meet necessary criteria, and make sure you understand the requirements for receiving MPA internship credit.

Staying on track

A 3.0 cumulative TSU graduate GPA is required to complete any TSU graduate certificate or graduate degree
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RESOURCES AND POLICIES

Below are resources for the MPA and the certificate programs you should be familiar with.  These resources are all available on our website on the relevant degree program page. Note in particular that all graduate students taking classes in the College of Public Service should be aware of the Graduate School policies detailed at the beginning of the Graduate Catalog, which pertain to all TSU graduate students, as well as the relevant parts of the College section of the Catalog.  All students are expected to be familiar with and to adhere to both Graduate School policies and specific departmental requirements for their degree and/or graduate certificate.  A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate courses taken at Tennessee State University is required for successful completion of graduate certificates or graduate degree programs; individual programs may also have more restrictive policies as detailed in their Catalog  section. We abide by Graduate School policies including those regarding retention, probation, suspension, and time limitations for degrees (see the front matter of the relevant Catalog).  Per Graduate School policy, a given course in our programs may be repeated one time only, and the second grade will replace the first. A student may repeat a maximum of two (2) courses used towards meeting completion requirements in a given program for the purpose of improving grades. 

ADVISORS

Seek advising as you proceed through your studies. 
Public Policy Certificate & MPA (or certificate only), 
  • Dr. Meg Streams |   email | 615-852-7112
  • Dr. Rodney Stanley |   email |   615-963-7241 | Summer   
Nonprofit Management Certificate & MPA (or certificate only)
  • Dr. Ken Chilton | email | 615-963-7017 
  • Dr. Rodney Stanley | email |   615-963-7241 | Summer   
Public Admin Exec Leadership cert., MPA with no certificate, Healthcare Admin & Planning
  • Dr. Rodney Stanley |   email   |   615-963-7241

HELPFUL DOCUMENTS

Frequently asked questions (also available in the MPA Handbook)
College of Public Service, Tennessee State University
330 10th Ave. N, Mail Stop 139, Suite E-400 | Nashville, TN 37203-3401
phone 615.963.7201 | fax 615.963.7245
pcameron@tnstate.edu | lstokes4@tnstate.edu
www.tnstate.edu/cps
Tennessee State University
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