MPA Student Handbook

This handbook provides students in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program in Boise State’s School of Public Service with a detailed set of program policies, procedures, and timelines.  We hope this handbook helps you be successful in this program.

Students will find answers to the most frequently asked questions during the various stages of the program, from application through graduation, and basic guidelines for you to use to track your progress through the program. Please read this handbook carefully and refer to it as you plan and make choices. Students should frequently meet with their advisor early in the program for planning purposes and consistently throughout the program to ensure requirements are met.

The policies and proposals in this handbook frequently refer to two important resources:

1. The Boise State University Graduate Catalog and website, and
2. The MPA Program Website.

Forms and information are frequently updated, so students should always refer to these online resources for the most up-to-date information.  Additional resources and procedures, such as student services and policies on plagiarism, can also be found online.

The MPA Program, housed within the School of Public Service at Boise State University, prepares students for positions of leadership in the public and nonprofit sectors. The degree provides a sound foundation in the theoretical and practical dimensions of public management necessary to assist students seeking public service careers.

Students move through the program in stages:  application, coursework, internship, application for candidacy, and finally, capstone.  Faculty in the School of Public Service work closely with students, first as professors in seminars and coursework, then as advisors who mentor and guide students on program requirements.

The study and practice of public policy and administration are inherently interdisciplinary. Students will have the opportunity to work with faculty from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds in the School of Public Service and beyond.  At the same time, the curriculum is organized to ensure that students receive a strong foundation in administration, research, and policy that will prepare them for careers in public administration.

Applicants must satisfy the minimum admission requirements for the Boise State Graduate College; please see its website for more information. Admission is competitive and the achievement of minimum Graduate College and MPA requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and demonstrate satisfactory academic competency by attaining an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00

Applicants must submit all application materials to the University by January 15 to be considered for acceptance in the program for the following summer or fall semester and by October 1 for the following spring semester. The admission decisions are made shortly after the deadline, but applications are accepted at any time per Graduate College guidelines. Consideration of admission applications to the MPA program requires acceptance to the Boise State Graduate College and the payment of student fees.

During the application process for the online Graduate College system, applicants will be prompted to:

1. Submit official transcripts from all previous academic institutions.
2. Submit names and contract information for three references.  These references will then be asked to upload reference letters evaluating the applicant’s academic potential.
3. Upload a formal statement of at least 500-words explaining the applicant’s educational and career objectives.
4. Upload a recent resume.

After the admission deadline for a given term, the program’s admission committee will evaluate all complete applications. The admission committee will forward its recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate College. The Graduate College Dean will make the final admission decision and notify the applicant and the Program Director.

Graduate Certificate Options

The MPA curriculum is designed to support the addition of a designated graduate certificate to fulfill the elective requirements of the MPA while simultaneously giving the student a standalone credential. Students concurrently enrolled in both the MPA and a designated graduate certificate can apply the certificate classes as their MPA electives. Please note, the certificates are separate degrees and as such require admissions to both programs.  If interested, students can apply for a certificate when they apply for admission to the MPA.

Admission Not Recommended to the Graduate College, Decision Appeal

Applicants who are not recommended for admission to the MPA program at Boise State University may appeal this decision within the program. Students who are denied admission have 14 working days, from informal notification by the Program Director that the program will not recommend admission, to submit a written appeal to the program outlining their rationale for challenging the Admission Committee’s decision. The Admission Committee, in consultation with the Program Director, will review that appeal and notify the student of their decision to admit or to uphold the denial of admission. If the denial is upheld on appeal, then the applicant may appeal the program’s decision to the Graduate College.

Students who are denied admission have the option to reapply once to the MPA program, but must offer substantive changes to their application materials so that the complete application file merits reconsideration. Admission is not guaranteed if a student resubmits a second application. Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission to the MPA program.

Graduate programs are required to adhere to the restrictions listed in Boise State University’s Graduate Catalog. It is  recommended that students review those requirements prior to application and admission into the program.

Course Substitutions

In general, students are not allowed to substitute courses to fulfill requirements related to core courses.  Courses associated with the Graduate Certificate in Applied Public Administration cannot be used as a substitution for any MPA core course requirements under any circumstances, but may be used to satisfy elective requirements.

Undergraduate Courses

In general, all credit applied to a graduate degree or certificate must be graduate-level academic credits, however, an undergraduate course may be applied to meet the credit requirements of a graduate certificate or degree, subject to the following restrictions:

1. The course must be an upper-division course and must be in a discipline outside the major field of study of the MPA program.
2. A grade of B or better must be earned in the course.
3. The course cannot represent effort for an undergraduate thesis, internship, practicum, independent study or research, conference or workshop, experiential learning, study abroad, seminar, or colloquium.
4. All applied undergraduate credit must be approved by the Graduate College and the program coordinator of the graduate program that offers the degree or certificate.

Previously Applied Courses

In general, any course applied to a previously earned degree or certificate of any type at any institution cannot be applied to meet the credit requirements of an MPA degree. Courses not used for a degree, but previously earned at an accredited U.S. institution or non-U.S. institution approved by the Graduate College and the Registrar. Each course allowed under this exception is subject to the following additional restrictions:

1. A grade of B or better must have been earned in the course.
2. The course cannot represent effort for a graduate culminating activity or for experiential learning.

The MPA allows 9 credits total to be transferred into the program. Courses allowed under this exception are limited by the fundamental requirement that at least two-thirds of the total credit requirement for the MPA degree must be earned at Boise State University since admission to the program.

Non-degree seeking students

Students who have not yet been admitted to the program may take up to 9 credits of coursework within one semester, 3 credits of which can be from core courses (PUBADM 500 or PUBADM 501 are recommended). Pending approval by the student’s advisor and the Program Director, these credits may be used toward the student’s total required credit hours for the MPA program once admitted.  These classes may be any combination of 500-level credits when space is available on the roster and with instructor permission.

Aggregate Restriction

No more than one-third of the total credit requirement for a graduate degree or certificate, exclusive of culminating activity credits, can be met by the aggregate of credits earned in undergraduate courses, pass-fail courses, and university-wide courses numbered 590, 594-596, 598, and 696 (or equivalent courses that may appear as transfer credits). An exception to this restriction may be considered when the courses are outside the major field of study, are taken to expand interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary educational experiences, and are approved by the program coordinator and the Graduate College through an academic appeal, using the Graduate Appeal Form.

Readings and Conference and Independent Studies

The program has determined that students may take no more than nine credits from the following categories:  Readings and Conference (595) or Independent Studies (596).

Course Planning

After being admitted, students should schedule a time to meet with their advisor to fill out the Program Development Form (PDF).  The PDF aids students and their advisors in mapping out when and which courses the student will take, given the student’s interests and the program’s course offerings.  Understanding which courses are required, course progressions, and other program requirements can ensure students complete their coursework in a timely manner.  This is especially true when a student is integrating a graduate certificate. Regularly meeting with your advisor (each semester or as you see fit) is suggested to ensure that students understand their requirements for graduation and can adjust their PDF accordingly.

If feasible, a “Course Rotation” will be made available; there, students will find a list of courses, along with a projected delivery semester.  Please note that sometimes events occur—such as faculty sabbaticals or curricular changes—that may affect the predicted course rotation.  Therefore, PDFs should be treated more as a map for navigating the curriculum than as a contract.

The program provides quite a bit of flexibility to students when it comes to the selection of elective courses that can apply to your MPA degree.  Work with your advisor to submit a Request for Academic Adjustment Requirement (RAAR) form for electives not specifically outlined in the degree requirements.  With approval, such courses can apply to your MPA degree.  The program is more prescriptive, however, when it comes to the core curriculum.  Students should plan to enroll in PUBADM 500 during their first semester of admittance to the program, and PUBADM 692 should be taken during the last semester of coursework.

Duration of Study

According to the Graduate College Catalog, “The minimum duration of study for the Master’s degree is one academic year after admission to the program. All requirements for a Master’s degree (including transfer courses) must be started and completed within a single continuous interval of no more than seven years. This single continuous interval includes summers and any semesters in which you are not enrolled. In addition, it must encompass all courses applied to the degree, including transfer courses.”

Public Service Internship

All students are required to complete a three-credit internship for a total of 39 credits unless all or part of these credits are waived.  In order to receive graduate credit for your internship, you must contact the program’s Internship Coordinator before applying for any internship positions (within or outside the State of Idaho).  The internship is meant to be a meaningful experience for both the MPA student and the organization in which the internship is served.  Through the internship, students can further enhance their preparation for administrative work. At the same time, they are expected to make a valuable contribution to their assigned organizations.  Therefore, the internship is usually served when the student is near completion of the MPA program.

Students who have at least one year of substantive administrative, management, or professional experience in or with the public or nonprofit sector may petition the graduate director to waive the internship requirement. This petition must be submitted after a student has been admitted to the MPA program and should include a 500-word letter detailing the basis for the petition, along with a recent copy of the student’s résumé.

Grade Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA every semester. If a student fails to meet the semester GPA requirement and the failure is the second occurrence since admission to the program, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program by the Graduate College. If the student fails to achieve a program GPA of 3.0 or better, the student is ineligible for a degree. Students cannot list a course on the Application for Admission to Candidacy if it is graded lower than a C. Transfer courses can only be listed if they are a B or higher. If the student does not meet the grade requirement for the consecutive semester or overall 3.0 GPA requirement, the student may appeal for reinstatement through the School of Public Service and then through the Graduate Dean.

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements (15 credits)

• PUBADM500 – Administration in the Public Sector (3)
• PUBADM501 – Public Policy Process (3)
• PUBADM502 – Organization Behavior and Management (3)
• PUBADM504 – Public Budgeting & Financial Administration (3)
• PUBADM505 – Personnel Administration for Public Service (3)

Methods Sequence (6 credits)

• SPS501 – Social Science Research Design (3)

Take at least 1 of the following:

• SPS502 – Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences (3)
• SPS503 – Qualitative Methods for the Social Sciences (3)
• SPS505 – Public Policy Analysis (3)
• SPS506 – Program Evaluation (3)

Electives (12 credits)

• Select 12 credit hours of coursework from the noncore MPA courses listed in the Graduate Catalog. Students may also work with an advisor to identify relevant graduate coursework in other programs at Boise State University.
• Public Service Internship PUBADM 590 (0/3 credits)
• Culminating Activity PUBADM 692 Capstone Course (3 credits)

Total Credit Hours 36-39

MPA Graduate Grading System

Retaking PUBADM Credits/Classes

The graduate college policy limits students to retaking only certain credits and only with written approval from the program and limits the student to retake a class only once.  The School of Public Service does not generally authorize retaking a class.  In general, students may not retake PUBADM courses regardless of whether the course was taken for graduate credit or taken as a credit to be applied to an undergraduate program.  If extraordinary circumstances exist, admitted MPA students may provide a written appeal of this policy to the program Director within 30 calendar days of when grades were made available to students through their Student Center in their my.BoiseState profile. Students who register for a class without approval will be administratively withdrawn.

Transfer Credit

Boise State University has a cooperative agreement made with Idaho State University and the University of Idaho, so MPA credits earned at those establishments may, with approval, be accepted towards your MPA degree at Boise State.

The MPA program allows up to 9 credits to be transferred from another regionally accredited U.S. college or university according to the following guidelines:

1. Grades must be “A” or “B”;
2. Credits applied to meet the requirements of a previously earned degree, or certificate of any type at another institution is not eligible; undergraduate credits are not accepted for credit.

All credits earned from other institutions require approval through submitting a Request for Approval of Transfer Credits form. This form can be found on the Graduate College’s website under the Forms section.

What kind of jobs do people get after their MPA?

MPA graduates work in all types of governmental, nonprofit, and corporate settings. At the federal level, Boise State MPA graduates have worked for many entities, including: the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the GAO, the State Department, and on Congressional staffs. At the state level, our graduates have worked for a range of state agencies including the Departments of Health and Welfare, Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Labor, the Office of Performance Evaluation, Division of Human Resources, and the State Board of Education. At the local level, our graduates have worked for cities and counties as City Administrators, in Mayors’ offices, budget offices, law enforcement, fire departments, parks and recreation, and planning offices. Many MPA graduates work in the nonprofit sector for organizations including the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Girl Scouts, the Idaho Conservation League, and professional associations such as the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Idaho Cities, and Idaho Association of Counties. Other MPA graduates work for corporations in governmental affairs divisions including Zions bank, Micron Technology, and Walmart.

What is the difference between the MPA and the Master’s in Political Science?

The MPA degree is a blend of theory and practice intended to prepare leaders and experts primarily for service in the public and nonprofit sectors. The MPA is a management degree for the public and nonprofit sectors. It is a practitioner’s degree and utilizes an applied capstone experience as a culminating assessment. The Master of Political Science is more theory-driven and has a culminating activity of writing a traditional thesis.

How many credits does it take to complete the MPA?

36 to 39, depending on whether students complete an internship. Students without at least a year of significant public or nonprofit sector experience are required to complete a three-credit internship. The MPA Program Director, in consultation with the Internship Coordinator, will determine if prior work experience is substantial enough to waive the internship requirement.

What is the culminating activity for an MPA program?

There is a three-credit capstone course (PubAdm 692) in which students work in teams to complete an applied research project on behalf of a client organization or group in the community. The capstone allows students to apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities gained in their coursework to real-life situations under the guidance of an SPS faculty member.

When are classes held?

Because many MPA students are full-time professionals pursuing this degree to enhance their career credentials, the program offers classes in-person, online, and using a variety of hybrid delivery modes. While most MPA classes meet in the evening between 6:00-8:45 PM, there are exceptions.  MPA classes have met in the early morning, afternoon, and day-long weekend formats as well as compressed class formats such as a 3- week session.

Can I take classes in other programs as part of the MPA?

Yes. Classes from other programs or departments can be used in consultation with your Academic Advisor. Courses should be offered at the 500-level or above, and be relevant to the degree program and/or the student’s career goals. Please consult with your advisor before taking classes outside the public administration program to confirm that these will meet degree requirements.

What is the relationship between the MPA and Graduate Certificates offered by SPS?

Currently, the School of Public Service offers six Graduate Certificates: Applied Public Administration; Conflict Management; Environmental Governance; Nonprofit Administration, Policy Research; and State, Local, and Regional Governance. MPA students are encouraged to count their certificate coursework as part of their MPA elective requirements. Although Certificate programs have a separate admissions process, students are encouraged to apply for these programs in conjunction with their application to the MPA. However, entrance to the MPA does not guarantee admission to a given certificate.

When does the Admissions Committee admit students to the MPA?

The Committee meets twice each year, shortly after the October 1 and January 15 application deadlines for admissions materials to be submitted.

Can I take MPA classes before I am admitted?

Yes, during one semester a maximum of 9 credits may be taken prior to admission, 3 of which can be a core class (PUBADM 500 and PUBADM 501 are recommended). You must first apply to the Graduate College and be admitted as a non-degree seeking graduate student. Admission to the Graduate College and to the MPA program are separate processes.

Can I transfer graduate credits from another institution into my MPA?

Yes, 9 credits can be transferred in from another accredited U.S. college or university according to the following guidelines: (1) grades must be “A” or “B”; (2) credits applied to meet the requirements of a previously earned degree or certificate of any type at another institution are not eligible; undergraduate credits are not accepted for credit. Your Academic Advisor and the MPA Program Director will evaluate these potential transfer courses with you. Final approval comes from the Graduate College. The Graduate College does not allow classes that have already been applied to a Master’s program to transfer to the MPA, however, certificate credits can be transferred.

Are there graduate assistantships available to MPA students?

Yes, there are a limited number of Graduate Assistant positions available to MPA students. Typically, GA’s earn a stipend ranging from $12,000 to $15,000 over a 9-month period, health insurance, in addition to a waiver of their tuition and fees. GA’s are expected to enroll full-time (9 credits) in the MPA program and to work 20 hours a week.

Can I take classes part-time?

Yes. Most students go part-time. There is a 7-year time frame in which Boise State University expects students to finish after admission.

Is there an MPA student organization?

Yes. There is the MPA Association (MPAA), open to all current, former, and prospective students. The MPAA has a Facebook page and organizes events, such as brown bag lunches featuring speakers of interest as well as social events.

What is the internship requirement?

If you have less than a year of significant public or nonprofit sector work experience, you will be required to complete a three-credit internship. Boise State requires 45 hours of work for each credit of internship. Internships can be completed in Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.  Students that are eligible to waive the internship must submit a waiver request, a current resume, and a 500-word letter stating how their experience corresponds with the MPA program.

What kind of jobs do people get after their MPA?

MPA graduates work in all types of governmental, nonprofit, and corporate settings. At the federal level, Boise State MPA graduates have worked for many entities, including: the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the GAO, the State Department, and on Congressional staffs. At the state level, our graduates have worked for a range of state agencies including the Departments of Health and Welfare, Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Labor, the Office of Performance Evaluation, Division of Human Resources, and the State Board of Education. At the local level, our graduates have worked for cities and counties as City Administrators, in Mayors’ offices, budget offices, law enforcement, fire departments, parks and recreation, and planning offices. Many MPA graduates work in the nonprofit sector for organizations including the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Girl Scouts, the Idaho Conservation League, and professional associations such as the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Idaho Cities, and Idaho Association of Counties. Other MPA graduates work for corporations in governmental affairs divisions including Zions bank, Micron Technology, and Walmart.

What is the difference between the MPA and the Master’s in Political Science?

The MPA degree is a blend of theory and practice intended to prepare leaders and experts primarily for service in the public and nonprofit sectors. The MPA is a management degree for the public and nonprofit sectors. It is a practitioner’s degree and utilizes an applied capstone experience as a culminating assessment. The Master of Political Science is more theory-driven and has a culminating activity of writing a traditional thesis.

How many credits does it take to complete the MPA?

36 to 39, depending on whether students complete an internship. Students without at least a year of significant public or nonprofit sector experience are required to complete a three-credit internship. The MPA Program Director, in consultation with the Internship Coordinator, will determine if prior work experience is substantial enough to waive the internship requirement.

What is the culminating activity for an MPA program?

There is a three-credit capstone course (PubAdm 692) in which students work in teams to complete an applied research project on behalf of a client organization or group in the community. The capstone allows students to apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities gained in their coursework to real-life situations under the guidance of an SPS faculty member.

When are classes held?

Because many MPA students are full-time professionals pursuing this degree to enhance their career credentials, the program offers classes in-person, online, and using a variety of hybrid delivery modes. While most MPA classes meet in the evening between 6:00-8:45 PM, there are exceptions.  MPA classes have met in the early morning, afternoon, and day-long weekend formats as well as compressed class formats such as a 3- week session.

Can I take classes in other programs as part of the MPA?

Yes. Classes from other programs or departments can be used in consultation with your Academic Advisor. Courses should be offered at the 500-level or above, and be relevant to the degree program and/or the student’s career goals. Please consult with your advisor before taking classes outside the public administration program to confirm that these will meet degree requirements.

What is the relationship between the MPA and Graduate Certificates offered by SPS?

Currently, the School of Public Service offers six Graduate Certificates: Applied Public Administration; Conflict Management; Environmental Governance; Nonprofit Administration, Policy Research; and State, Local, and Regional Governance. MPA students are encouraged to count their certificate coursework as part of their MPA elective requirements. Although Certificate programs have a separate admissions process, students are encouraged to apply for these programs in conjunction with their application to the MPA. However, entrance to the MPA does not guarantee admission to a given certificate.

When does the Admissions Committee admit students to the MPA?

The Committee meets twice each year, shortly after the October 1 and January 15 application deadlines for admissions materials to be submitted.

Can I take MPA classes before I am admitted?

Yes, during one semester a maximum of 9 credits may be taken prior to admission, 3 of which can be a core class (PUBADM 500 and PUBADM 501 are recommended). You must first apply to the Graduate College and be admitted as a non-degree seeking graduate student. Admission to the Graduate College and to the MPA program are separate processes.

Can I transfer graduate credits from another institution into my MPA?

Yes, 9 credits can be transferred in from another accredited U.S. college or university according to the following guidelines: (1) grades must be “A” or “B”; (2) credits applied to meet the requirements of a previously earned degree or certificate of any type at another institution are not eligible; undergraduate credits are not accepted for credit. Your Academic Advisor and the MPA Program Director will evaluate these potential transfer courses with you. Final approval comes from the Graduate College. The Graduate College does not allow classes that have already been applied to a Master’s program to transfer to the MPA, however, certificate credits can be transferred.

Are there graduate assistantships available to MPA students?

Yes, there are a limited number of Graduate Assistant positions available to MPA students. Typically, GA’s earn a stipend ranging from $12,000 to $15,000 over a 9-month period, health insurance, in addition to a waiver of their tuition and fees. GA’s are expected to enroll full-time (9 credits) in the MPA program and to work 20 hours a week.

Can I take classes part-time?

Yes. Most students go part-time. There is a 7-year time frame in which Boise State University expects students to finish after admission.

Is there an MPA student organization?

Yes. There is the MPA Association (MPAA), open to all current, former, and prospective students. The MPAA has a Facebook page and organizes events, such as brown bag lunches featuring speakers of interest as well as social events.

What is the internship requirement?

If you have less than a year of significant public or nonprofit sector work experience, you will be required to complete a three-credit internship. Boise State requires 45 hours of work for each credit of internship. Internships can be completed in Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.  Students that are eligible to waive the internship must submit a waiver request, a current resume, and a 500-word letter stating how their experience corresponds with the MPA program.