Classes start 1-13. Deadline to apply to graduate 3-15. MPA Comps 3-27.
Classes start 1-13. Deadline to apply to graduate 3-15. MPA Comps 3-27.
CPS  
The College of Public Service at Tennessee State University

Department of Public Administration
This is a long email with a variety of useful information -  please review the entire message and retain for reference. Thank you!
Contents:

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS AVAILABLE

There are potential Graduate Assistantships available for current or admitted MPA students. Assistantships involve taking a 3-course load and a 20-hour per week work obligation in the Department.  Tuition coverage plus stipend involved.  Contact Dr. Stanley for details and information on applying - act quickly.
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TIME TO REGISTER

Spring 2020 classes begin on Monday January 13. Are you ready? Take a look at the Academic Calendar.
Consult the updated 2020 3-SEMESTER PLAN before you register, to see what courses are offered this semester that you need for your program. The second page of the plan has checklists of the courses required for each program. Be sure you only take courses that are listed for the program you have been accepted to already.
Please note, many courses are only offered once per year. Taking a semester off, or switching back and forth between taking one, two or three courses per semester may mean missing a course you need that will not be offered soon, so definitely seek advising if you are in those situations. Recommended and required semesters for taking courses are included on the 2nd page of the 3-semester plan. Email Dr. Streams (MPA, PP, HCAP, NPMN) or Dr. Stanley (PhD, MPS, PA Exec Leadership) if you are not sure what you should take.
If you are a certificate student hoping to transition to the MPA degree upon completion of your certificate coursework this coming semester, it is imperative that you notify Dr. Streams to get instructions on how that process works.  You need to complete your certificate coursework with a 3.33 GPA or better and you also need to formally apply for the MPA degree during the semester. 
NOTE - ORIENTATION for new graduate students is Saturday January 11, beginning at 9am at the Avon Williams Campus Atrium (3rd floor); after a talk by the Graduate School you will go up to the department (Suite F-400) for further advising.

PROGRAM OF STUDY FORMS 

All students must have a program of study on file for each program to which they have been accepted. If you have not completed one and have completed at least one semester of coursework, fill it out with your completed AND planned coursework and submit to Dr. Streams by email, or make an advising appointment for January to do so together. A photo or scan of the signed form is acceptable. 
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FINISHING IN SPRING SEMESTER?

If you are planning to complete your program(s) this coming semester, you should schedule advising in January 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 (this is mandatory whether you are walking in Commencement or not), but individual programs have other requirements as well which your advisor can go over with you.
MPA students planning to finish need to file their request to take the comprehensive exam form early in the semester to let us know you are taking the comps; the MPA comprehensive exam is scheduled for 8:45am on Friday, March 27. 
If you are a certificate student hoping to transition to the MPA degree upon completion of your certificate coursework this coming semester: it is imperative that you notify Dr. Streams to get instructions on how that process works.  You need to complete your certificate coursework with a 3.33 GPA or better and you also need to formally apply for the MPA degree during the semester. 
APPLYING TO GRADUATE: 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 notify Dr. Stanley about the problem. It is extremely important that it is correct.
  8. Select any term that shows [to finish this semester, should select Spring 2020].
  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.

Other completion requirements 

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).
If you are a certificate student hoping to transition to the MPA degree upon completion of your certificate coursework this coming semester, it is imperative that you notify Dr. Streams to get instructions on how that process works.  You need to complete your certificate coursework with a 3.33 GPA or better and you also need to formally apply for the MPA degree during the semester. 
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INTERNSHIPS:
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 internship this coming 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 more about the internship requirement or the process to apply for exemption from the internship requirement in section VIII of the MPA handbook.
JOBS:
  • The Tennessee Advisory Commission for Intergovernmental Relations is accepting applications currently for a Research Associate. See the details at the TACIR Employment page.
  • The Sycamore Institute is accepting applications for a Policy Analyst. See the details at their job opportunities page.
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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. Program of study forms are online

PROGRAM OF STUDY FORMS 

All students should check in with advisor at least via email before registering for classes EVERY SEMESTER to ensure timely progress, particularly if deviating from the plan for completion discussed with the advisor. Please note that the same set of courses are NOT offered every semester - so timing of course taking does matter. 

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 (or the MPA). The other certificates (public policy, healthcare, nonprofit) are geared more towards integration with the MPA.

Internships

If you hope to pursue an MPA internship for credit in Spring 2020 or Summer 2020, 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. 
MPA, Public Policy Certificate, Healthcare Certificate, Nonprofit Certificate
  • Dr. Meg Streams |   email | 615-852-7112 | Fall and Spring semesters
  • Dr. Rodney Stanley |   email |   615-963-7241 | Summer 
PhD, MPS, Public Admin Executive Leadership Certificate
  • Dr. Rodney Stanley | email |   615-963-7241 | year-round

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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