All Summer program completers must apply to graduate by 7/15/22
If you are planning to complete either a certificate OR a degree program (or both) this summer, you need to apply to graduate in myTSU by the Registrar's deadline of July 15, 2022. The application is found at mytsu.tnstate.edu>Banner Services>Student>Student Records>Apply to Graduate. This is a University-level requirement, and it does not have to do with whether you do or don’t plan to “walk” at Commencement – it is the official notification to the Graduate School that you are planning to finish your program(s). You need to create one application to graduate per program (i.e., if you are finishing both the MPA and a certificate, you must complete one application form for each curriculum.) If you cannot find the right curriculum to apply for one or both, that is an issue that requires resolution quickly – email Dr. Stanley right away at rstanley1@tnstate.edu, so he can get it resolved with the Graduate School.
--> KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK IN CURRENT CLASSES: All TSU graduate students must maintain a cumulative TSU graduate-level GPA of 3.0 or above to remain in good standing and to complete a program (degree or certificate.) Make sure any Incomplete grades outstanding from a previous semester are fully resolved with the instructor well in advance of the end of the semester, to allow time for processing of the paperwork to change the grade.
--> WATCH FOR AND CLEAR ANY HOLDS ON YOUR ACCOUNT: Items like library fines, traffic fines, balance or other types of holds can prevent you from being eligible to graduate in the desired semester. Please just keep an eye on your account in myTSU and resolve any such issues if they arise. Check your student email to stay current on any messages from the University.
Summer MPA graduates must also complete the following tasks by July 30, 2022
--> PREPARE AND SUBMIT MPA REFLECTIVE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE – This is an MPA program requirement for all degree completers (Section IX of the MPA handbook online). For details on the materials to be included, read these instructions. The reflective statement of purpose is due to your advisor as a single PDF file by July 30.
--> IN-SERVICE STUDENTS - PREPARE AND SUBMIT INTERNSHIP EXEMPTION PAPER AND ASSOCIATED MATERIALS: Students with one or more years of professional-level public, nonprofit, or healthcare administrative experience ("in-service") may be exempted from the 6-credit internship requirement with advisor approval (thus completing the MPA in 36 credits instead of 42) contingent on satisfactory completion of the internship exemption paper and associated materials due in the last semester of MPA coursework. Please review the materials you will need to submit at the application for exemption from the internship requirement (see also Section VIII of the MPA handbook online.) The internship exemption packet is due to your advisor as a single PDF file by July 30.
--> PRE-SERVICE STUDENTS: COMPLETE YOUR INTERNSHIP COURSE CREDITS SUCCESSFULLY IF APPLICABLE: Students who do not have one or more years of professional-level public, nonprofit, or healthcare administrative experience are considered "pre-service" and are subject to the 6-credit MPA internship requirement. The MPA is thus 42 credits for these students. Read more about this requirement in Section VIII of the MPA handbook online, including the FAQ.
Other MPA graduation reminders
--> PADM 6700 CAPSTONE COURSE AND PROJECT REQUIREMENT: Those who started in the MPA in Fall 2020 and after are subject to the requirement to successfully complete PADM 6700 Capstone Course and project in order to graduate. There is no substitute for this requirement. The course is to be taken in your second-to-last or last semester of coursework, and you should have taken PADM 6130 Research Methods before you take it. Read more about this in Section XI of the MPA handbook online and make sure you have met the requirement or are going to meet it this semester. NOTE: Students who started the MPA prior to Fall 2020 are subject to the comprehensive exam requirement by their entering catalog. Discuss with your advisor.
--> SEEK OUT INFO re: COMMENCEMENT: TSU does not hold Summer commencement exercises; Summer graduates may walk in the December graduation with Fall graduates.
If you would like to participate in Commencement exercises, please pay attention to University Communications which will likely go to your student email address during the semester, and also check the Registrar’s Commencement page for details regularly during the semester as details are posted. There is usually an opportunity to order your gown, etc. before the middle of the semester so you need to stay on top of that, and there is also a rehearsal for the ceremony.
--> PI ALPHA ALPHA HONOR SOCIETY: If you have a 3.7 or higher GPA entering your last semester in the MPA – or if you attain a 3.7 or higher GPA after grades come in from your last semester – you are eligible to join Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society for public administration. If you meet the eligibility criteria in your last semester or after graduation and would like to join, email Dr. Stanley at rstanley1@tnstate.edu. There is a one-time fee for joining ($50 as of Fall 2021) to cover the cost of the pin and certificate.
