FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do evening students have to take core courses in any particular order?
There are no formal requirements, but the following order and suggestions are strongly recommended:
Administrative Theory (PADMN 6300)
Nonprofit Sector & Orgs (PADMN 6550)
Research Design (PADMN 6289)
Public Human Resource Management (PADMN 6360)
Public Administration & Law (PADMN 6210)
Politics & the American Economy (PADMN TBD)
Public Budgeting and Finance (PADMN 6380)
Public Administration and Ethics (PADMN 6870)
Capstone in Public Administration (PADMN 6890)
• Take Administrative Theory (PADMN 6300), Nonprofit Sector & Orgs, and Research Design (PADMN 6289) during the first two-three semesters of study.
• The Ethics (PADMN 6870) and Capstone (PADMN 6890) courses should be the last core classes taken. Registration for the Capstone course requires students to have turned in at least a draft of the Major Research Paper to their adviser, as well as turned in a Candidacy form; students must also have taken at least seven core courses.
Yes. However, at least one three-credit concentration course must be taken under the PADMN designation. This leaves students up to four classes (12 cedits) that can be taken outside of the program. Approval of the courses must come first from the Program Manager to ensure the course has a tie to public administration.
If I take a 5000 level class, will it count towards my MPA?Sometimes. If a class is offered at the 6000 level, MPA students must register at the 6000 level. Some 5000 level courses are acceptable as concentration classes if they are not offered at the 6000 level. Please email the program manager the course title and description or a copy of the syllabus for review. The program manager will decide if the course is acceptable. Please note 3000/5000 level courses will not be accepted and unless the circumstance is unusual only one 5000 level course will be accepted.
Do I have to maintain a minimum GPA?
You must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA in your graduate work with no individual grade lower than a “C.” You must also maintain a 3.0 GPA in core courses….Students whose GPAs fall below a 3.0, or who accumulate more than 3 incompletes, will be placed on probation. Probation may carry specific requirements that the student must meet in order for probation to be removed.
Do I have to write my Major Research Paper (MRP) in the context of a class?
Preferably. Once the course Research Design has been completed, the MRP may be written in any remaining course and should be completed by the Capstone Course. If the instructor agrees to supervise, s/he will set expectations for progress on the MRP that will be included in the final grade. If the MRP is not completed during the class, it can be finished in subsequent semesters. Please remember students must be registered the semester they graduate--indpendent faculty consultation is available for registration if students do not get their MRP's done during course work.
Any regular faculty member and some adjunct instructors. Please see list for faculty approved. MRP Approved Faculty
When do I have to declare my area of concentration?Students will be asked to declare their area of concentration after the completion of the first semester.
When do I have to complete my candidacy form?Two semesters prior to graduation; forms are due in the CPPA office on the following dates:
Fall Graduation: June 1
Spring Graduation: November 1
Summer Graduation: February 1
When do I walk?
The University of Utah holds graduation and commencement ceremonies only in the spring. However, all MPA graduates are encouraged to walk. Please remember you are welcome to walk even if graduating in the fall or summer. Caps and gowns must be ordered ahead of time, but only sign up to walk the day of. College Graduation Information
What happens if I do not enroll in any classes for a semester?The University of Utah requires all students maintain continuous enrollment by registering for a minimum of three credits during every fall and spring semester from matriculation through completion of all classes. Students are required to be enrolled in at least three semester credits the semester they graduate. If students complete class work, but not their MRP, then they must enroll in three credits of faculty consultation the semester they finish their MRP and wish to graduate. Summer semester is only considered part of continuous registration if it is a semester a student wishes to graduate, otherwise students do not need to register for summer though many do. If a fall or spring semester needs to be missed, please fill out a Leave of Absence Form from the Graduate School and return it to the MPA Office--a LOA form cannot be filled out for a final semester when a student wishes to graduate. The form should be submitted as early in the semester as possible, with the cut off date being the final day of classes. The staff will obtain the required signatures and forward copies to the Graduate School.
What happens if I fail to complete a course?
Students are encouraged to attend classes regularly and fulfill requirements for each course. If an unusual circumstance arises, students can work with the professor to take an Incomplete (I) (T in some instances is given rather than an I) in the course. Please be advised the University requires I's only be allowed if 80% of the course work is completed. Students have one year to complete the course. If the course is not completed within a year, the I or T will turn into an E, which constitutes as a failing grade. Students will then be required to re-take the course. Students with three I's will be placed on academic probation.
Students should check the Student Handbook for more information on Graduate School policies.