Master of Public Policy Program Handbook 2020-21 Mark O. Hatfield School of Government College of Urban and Public Affairs (this page blank) Contents OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................... 1 ADMISSIONS................................................................................................................................... 1 Criteria for Admission ............................................................................................................. 1 Application for Admission ...................................................................................................... 1 EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENT EXCELLENCE ............................................................................. 2 Competencies ............................................................................................................................ 2 Learning Approach ................................................................................................................... 2 PROGRAM GOVERNANCE ........................................................................................................... 2 ADVISING ........................................................................................................................................ 3 CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................. 3 Year 1: Core Courses ............................................................................................................... 3 Year 2: Track, Specialization, Professional, and Project Courses ................................ 3 Curriculum Diagram ................................................................................................................ 4 MPP COURSEWORK ..................................................................................................................... 4 Core Courses .............................................................................................................................. 4 Track and Specialization Courses ......................................................................................... 4 Track Courses ....................................................................................................................... 4 Policy Specialization Courses .......................................................................................... 5 Diversity ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Summative Policy Project ....................................................................................................... 5 Professional Development ..................................................................................................... 6 Internships ................................................................................................................................. 6 Summary of Required Courses .............................................................................................. 6 Career Tracks for MPP students ........................................................................................... 6 Policy Competitions ................................................................................................................. 7 Professional Associations ....................................................................................................... 7 FINANCIAL SUPPORT .................................................................................................................... 7 Internal and External Scholarships ...................................................................................... 7 In-State Tuition Program ........................................................................................................ 7 Graduate Assistantships ......................................................................................................... 8 RULES AND PROCEDURES ........................................................................................................... 8 Documenting and Monitoring Progress ............................................................................. 8 Transfer Credits ........................................................................................................................ 8 Graduate/Undergraduate Courses ...................................................................................... 8 i Concurrent (Dual) Graduate Programs .............................................................................. 8 Academic Load .......................................................................................................................... 9 Time to Completion ................................................................................................................. 9 Failure to Meet Degree Requirements ................................................................................ 9 Academic Probation ........................................................................................................... 9 Course Grades ...................................................................................................................... 9 Academic Performance ..................................................................................................... 9 Enrollment .......................................................................................................................... 10 Appeals and Grievances ....................................................................................................... 10 APPENDIX 1: LIST OF HYPER-LINKS ......................................................................................... 11 APPENDIX II: PROGRAM CHECKLIST ....................................................................................... 12 APPENDIX III: PAP 504 INTERNSHIP GUIDELINES AND AGREEMENT FORM ................ 13 APPENDIX IV: PAP 509 SUMMATIVE POLICY PROJECT GUIDELINES AND CONTRACT FORM ............................................................................................................................................. 17 The Master of Public Policy MPP Program Handbook is available online. Forms and other online resources referenced in this handbook can be linked from the electronic version. ii Contact Information Office Master of Public Policy Program Mark O. Hatfield School of Government Portland State University P. O. Box 751 Portland, OR 97207-0751 PSU Campus Urban Center Building 506 S.W. Mill Street Room 670 Staff -Shane Day, Director 503.725.4037 [email protected] Program Committee -Jennifer Allen (PAP 509 Faculty Coordinator, Public Administration Faculty) -Lindsay Benstead (Political Science Faculty) -Phil Cooper (Public Administration Faculty) -Shane Day (MPP Director, Public Administration Faculty) -Hal Nelson (Public Administration Faculty) -Masami Nishishiba (Department Chair, Public Administration) -Birol Yesilada (Hatfield School Director) Website https://www.pdx.edu/hatfield-school/academics/programs/graduate/public- policy iii OVERVIEW cate public policy generalists who can operate in a vari- ety of policy contexts, while offering students the op- A public policy constitutes an act of public authority. portunity to explore a specific policy domain as well. Across multiple issue areas, both governments and non-governmental actors endowed with this authority ADMISSIONS make choices that shape people’s lives. The field of public policy studies attracts individuals with a passion Criteria for Admission for understanding and improving them. It is both a The Masters of Public Policy program is cohort based unique field of policy studies as well as an inter-disci- and designed as a 2-year full-time degree (longer if plinary field that brings in insights from political sci- part-time) that prepares ambitious change leaders for ence, public administration, economics, sociology, law, a professional career in public policy. Ideal candidates management, and the natural and applied sciences. will have a demonstrated interest in public policy is- sues and a clearly articulated set of professional goals. Public policy studies is one of the fastest-growing fields in graduate education. The rising complexity and inter- The program requires candidates with at least a bache- connectedness of public policy issue areas has created lor’s degree from an accredited university or college demands for highly-skilled individuals who can analyze who achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate and resolve policy challenges. Public policy profession- coursework or a minimum 3.1 GPA in graduate course- als work in a range of occupations in the private sector, work. Students are expected to complete a college- non-profit groups, government, and inter-governmen- level statistics course prior to or at the beginning of tal organizations. their enrollment and to have a functional knowledge of the workings of American government. Applicants The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program of Portland should also review admissions criteria established by State University is offered through the Mark O. Hat- the Graduate School. field School of Government. It is a 2-year program for full-time students or a 3-4 year program for part-time Application for Admission students. It is designed in accordance with the accredi- Masters students are admitted