IMPORTANT ADVISING DEADLINES FOR MPA AND CERTIFICATE STUDENTS COMPLETING PROGRAM(S) THIS SEMESTER
We hope that your semester is off to a rewarding start. For those of you planning to complete a program this semester, this email includes important expectations and deadlines; please review and retain for future reference. If you are seeking a certificate and a degree in the same semester remember you need to complete all steps for both programs.
For continuing students, advising dates will be announced via email later in the semester prior to the opening of spring semester registration. In the meantime if you have a question, contact your advisor.
Questions to your advisor: (please note, advising categories have been adjusted as of Spring 2015, so your advisor may be different than in the past)
- Unconditional MPA and Nonprofit Certificate, or Nonprofit Certificate only- Dr. Chilton;
- Unconditional MPA with Healthcare Planning certificate, or Healthcare Certificate only- Dr. Streams;
- Unconditional MPA, no certificate - Dr. Thakur;
- Conditional MPA - Dr. Stanley.
NOW:
- REQUESTING TO TAKE MPA COMP EXAM: If you are planning to complete the MPA this semester: Request to take the MPA comprehensive exam (passing the comps is required for graduation, all MPA students) - You should email a scan of a signed copy or a hard copy to your advisor. If you have not done so, submit immediately. You must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and at least 30 credits complete in the program by the time you request to take the exam, and if you are taking more than one core course in the semester you want to take the exam you should discuss this with your advisor. Date and time for the comps are indicated below.
- COMMENCEMENT PREPARATION - Stay current on procedures for getting regalia, etc. at the TSU Commencement website. There is usually a mid-semester event at the bookstore related to this, check that website for date.
BY FRIDAY March 20, 2015:
- Apply to graduate - Primary Program: If you are completing a single program (degree or certificate) this semester: Complete online Graduation Application for your program. Application is mandatory whether or not you plan to attend commencement. If you have applied in a previous semester and didn't complete your program, you must re-apply. Receipt of a degree or graduate certificate is still contingent on completing all other relevant requirements, including those specific to the degree or certificate; having graduate GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 at the time of completion; and complying with program, Graduate School, financial aid, and University policies.
- Apply to graduate - Secondary Program: If you are hoping to graduate in two programs this semester (ex. MPA and a certificate), complete the online application for the MPA degree as described above, and also submit Secondary Application to Graduate for the certificate – email completed form to both the Graduate School and advisor per instructions on form by the deadline.
- Completing a Certificate: If you are completing a certificate this semester, with or without the MPA, you must also complete the Completion of certificate form; send scan of signed copy to adviser via email by email.
ON FRIDAY March 27, 2015 at 8:45am:- MPA Comprehensive Exam – Report at 8:45am to Suite F, PA Department, 4th Floor Avon Williams; plan to be here till 12 noon. If you are planning to take the exam, you should submit the Request to take the MPA comprehensive exam - if you have not done so, do this ASAP. Format of exam: Blue book essay; choose 3 out of 4 questions to answer. Blue books will be provided. Sample questions are available to give you the idea. Questions regarding exam administration - to Dr. Stanley at rstanley1@tnstate.edu.
[Note: summer MPA comps will be on Thursday June 18, 2015 for those who are planning ahead]
BY FRIDAY April 3, 2015:
- MPA Writing Portfolio: if you are completing the MPA this semester: submit Writing Portfolio (instructions and form) via email to adviser (in form of a single PDF file) by the deadline.
- MPA internship exemption packet: If you are completing the MPA this semester and you have approval from your advisor to apply for the internship exemption: submit the Internship Exemption Packet (instructions and form) via email to adviser (in form of a single PDF file) by the deadline. This option is only for students with one or more years of approved professional experience in a public, health or nonprofit sector setting, after consultation with advisor to determin eligibility.
ON FRIDAY EVENING May 10, 2015:
- Commencement Ceremony: 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.
