202
3-2024
Master of Public
Administration Program
University of Charleston,
S.C.
176 Lockwood Blvd.
Charleston, SC 29403
843.953.6690
Puba.cofc.edu
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME TO THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON MPA PROGRAM 3
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON MPA PROGRAM MISSION 4
PUBLIC SERVICE VALUES 5
STUDENT LEARNING COMPETENCIES 5
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND ACADEMIC POLICIES 5
FACULTY AND STAFF 6
Adjunct Faculty 10
MPA PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 11
Transfer Credit 11
Core Curriculum 11
Elective Courses 11
Internship Requirement 12
Thesis/Capstone Requirement 12
Being an MPA Student at the College of Charleston 12
MES/MPA CONCURRENT DEGREE PROGRAM 13
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS 133
Arts and Cultural Management Certificate 13
Urban and Regional Planning Certificate 13
OTHER COURSE DESIGNATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES 15
PROGRAM ASSISTANCE 15
15
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
Academic Advising
Course Scheduling
Withdrawing from Courses
MyPortal
Graduate Assistantships
Special Accommodations
Student Grievance Procedure
Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society
Graduation 17
CAREER DEVELOPMENT 17
Master of Public Administration Student Association (MPASA) 17
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Academic Support Services on Campus 17
Workshops, Speakers, and Roundtables 17
Master of Public Administration Advisory Committee 18
Lowcountry Chapter, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) 18
The Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable Communities 18
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON FACILITIES 19
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
WELCOME TO THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON MPA PROGRAM
Welcome to the MPA Program at the College of Charleston. We are very pleased that you have
selected the College of Charleston and are confident the mutual learning that will take place
throughout your time in the program will provide benefits for all. Since its inception over 30 years
ago, the MPA program has been preparing public leaders to serve in leadership positions in our
region and throughout the state and nation.
Over the years our program has evolved and expanded in ways that allow our students to
customize their learning through options such as: taking classes in a variety of formats and
completing two graduate degrees at the same time through an MPA/MESS concurrent degree.
Students can also complete an Arts & Cultural Management or Urban & Regional Planning
Certificate as part of their degree program.
Our program faculty are committed to excellence in education, experiential learning, and the kind
of collaboration that makes an essential difference in the work of the leaders and agencies
committed to serving the Lowcountry. Moreover, our strong affiliation with the Joseph P. Riley
Center, Jr. for Livable Communities means that, through the Center, faculty, staff, and student
expertise is leveraged to support the economic and cultural vibrancy of the City of Charleston and
other communities throughout South Carolina. As a result, our students have multiple
opportunities to participate in exceptional professional education experiences through our
partnership with the Riley Center as well as through applied research projects in the classroom;
various internships and applied learning experiences; and through connections with alumni and
other leading professionals through sponsored events, guest speakers, and professional associations
such as the Southeast Chapter of Public Administration (SECOPA), Conference of Minority
Public Administrators (COMPA), and the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).
Being in at the College of Charleston offers you outstanding opportunities to engage in the
important work of the public service and civic life in the region.
We are also deeply committed to exploring issues of racial justice, social equity, institutional
racism, and unconscious bias, and to do so with intent to dismantle systems of oppression and
revise policies that perpetuate injustice. Charleston is the “Holy City”, a city with a history of
violence as well as a history of resistance and resilience; a city where almost half of all enslaved
Africans brought to British North America first arrived; and a city where racial disparity and
segregation continue to define education, transportation, housing, and policing for all who live
here. As public servants responsible for promoting the public good we have a responsibility to
continuously learn about and disrupt the role of policy and bureaucratic decision making in
reinforcing systems of white supremacy and oppression that dehumanize people of color, and
Black people in particular. And, we must develop a deeper understanding of how race has shaped
and continues to shape decision making. Together we will think critically about our own identities,
power, and the ways both shape the production of knowledge.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Structurally, the MPA Program is housed within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and
is partnered with the Department of Political Science and the Joesph P. Riley Center for Livable
Communities The program office is located in the Riley Center at 176 Lockwood Blvd. Dr.
Matthew C. Nowlin is the program director and his email is [email protected] and his
telephone number is 843.953.6697. Marla Robertson, Program Coordinator and Community
Assistance Program (CAP) Director, is also available to answer specific questions about the MPA
program; her telephone number is 843.953.6690; and her email is [email protected].
MPA program faculty and staff are here as a resource for you as you embark on an educational
experience that will prepare you for an exciting future, whether you are building the foundation
for a new career or charting the path to the next stage of your current career. We hope you will
find our program exciting, engaging, and challenging and we look forward to our collective work.
In addition, we hope that this is just the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship
you will forge with the program and the College. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to
stay engaged with our work once you have graduated. You might consider guest speaking in a
class, offering a workshop, hosting an intern, or something else all-together. The bottom line is
that we hope you will stay engaged. Congratulations on entering the MPA program and joining the
College of Charleston!
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON MPA PROGRAM MISSION
The mission of the MPA Program at the College of Charleston is to prepare public service leaders.
Upon graduation our students will have the ability to think critically and creatively about public
issues; the dedication and capacity to serve a diverse community; and the skills to enter a
professional position in a public organization. Our program provides the academic and applied
skills necessary for upward mobility in the public service sector. To accomplish this mission, our
program provides the following:
• A rigorous core curriculum that combines applied learning with an examination of the
theoretical underpinnings of public service and provides concentrated areas of study in arts
management, environmental policy, nonprofit management, and urban and regional
planning;
• An environment that nurtures a commitment to public service;
• Opportunities to support collaboration and the creation of partnerships among
communities and public service organizations.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
PUBLIC SERVICE VALUES
The public service values emphasized by our program are reflected in our mission, goals,
curriculum, and program activities. The MPA Program advances:
Democratic Institutional Values
: public administration professionals must contribute to
institutional efforts that serve the public interest and the expectations of the public and its
representatives.
Professional Values
: public administration professionals must serve with competence,
excellence, efficiency, objectivity, and impartiality.
Ethical Values
: public administration professionals must act at all times in ways that
uphold the public trust.
Social Justice Values
: public administration professionals’ exercise of authority and
responsibility must be dictated by respect for human dignity, fairness, and social equity.
STUDENT LEARNING COMPETENCIES
The MPA program at the College of Charleston is fully accredited by the Network of Schools of
Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). To that end, we have adopted the
recommended five core competencies and implemented a competency-based curriculum so that
when our students graduate from the MPA Program, they will have demonstrated the knowledge,
skills, and attitudes for career success in public and nonprofit administration. Specifically, our
students should hold the program accountable to ensuring student learning and professional
preparedness in the following five core competencies:
• Lead and manage in the public interest;
• Participate in, and contribute to, the public policy process;
• Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make evidence-informed decisions
in a complex and dynamic environment;
• Articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective; and
• Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse
and changing workforce and society at large.
A list of these competencies along with a description of the kinds of knowledge, skills, and
attitudes expected of College of Charleston MPA Graduates can be found in Appendix A.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND ACADEMIC POLICIES
The MPA Program welcomes students from all academic and professional backgrounds interested
in public service. Incoming graduate students are expected to have had previous course work in the
social sciences, business administration, or public policy. Generally, a minimum of six
undergraduate classes or the equivalent is expected, although exceptions can be made for those
with coursework in closely related fields or with practical political or administrative experience.
Graduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, or a "B"
average. Regular degree seeking students whose GPAs fall below 3.0 will be placed on academic
probation. Students who are on probation must raise their averages to a satisfactory level (3.0 or
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
better) upon the completion of three additional courses, or within one calendar year from the date
they were placed on probation. A student who fails to make this progress will be withdrawn from
the program. Students receiving three grades below the grade of "B" or one grade of "F" in their
program will be withdrawn from the College and will not be permitted to reapply to their
programs for one calendar year.
Those who are conditionally admitted into the program should meet with the Program Director
prior to registering to determine academic expectations and must earn the grade of “B” or better in
each course taken during their first twelve hours. Failure to meet this requirement will result in
dismissal from the program. Calculation of the GPA for purposes of establishing your standing in
the program will only include classes taken after you have been conditionally admitted (this
excludes courses taken as a non-degree student). In addition, nine of the first twelve semester
hours will be restricted to core courses.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Gerald Gordon, Instructor and Riley Fellow, PhD Catholic University of America
he/him/his
Dr. Gordon joined the faculty of the Graduate School of Public Administration and also serves as
a Fellow at the Joseph P. Riley Center for Livable Communities. He teaches classes in Economic
Development and Strategic Planning. Dr. Gordon was born and raised in Washington DC and
attended The Citadel. After graduating, he returned to the DC area and worked for the United
States Department of Labor and Arlington County before going to the Economic Development
Authority in Fairfax County, Virginia, where he served as President and CEO for 35 years. Dr.
Gordon was instrumental in creating the Emerging Business Forum and bringing the 1998 World
Congress on Information Technology to Fairfax County. Dr. Gordon received a Fulbright Senior
Scholarship in 2008 and has taught at Catholic University, the University of Maryland, George
Mason University, and Virginia Commonwealth University; and consulted with city and state
governments throughout the United States and around the world, as well as the governments of
Poland, the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico, and Micronesia. Dr. Gordon is the author of 15
books, mostly on strategic planning and economic development, although the last two books have
been biographies. Dr. Gordon also chaired the boards of the Fairfax Symphony, the Arts Council
of Fairfax County, the Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools and the George Mason
University Honors College. He also has served on the board of the International Economic
Development Council and is a Fellow Member and Honorary Life Member of the organization. In
2000, Virginia Business Magazine cited Dr. Gordon as the “Virginia Businessperson of the Year.”
Dr. Gordon and his wife (who attended the College of Charleston) live on Seabrook Island and
have two grown sons and two grandchildren. Dr. Gordon can be reached at gordongl@cofc.edu or
at (703) 314-6975.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Hyokyung Kwak, Assistant Professor, PhD University of Kentucky
she/her/hers
Hyokyung Kwak joined the College of Charleston in August of 2020 as an assistant professor. She
will teach POLI 101 American Government and POLI 210 Introduction to Public Administration
in Fall 2020. A South Korean native, Dr. Kwak completed her BA in British and American
Literature at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and her MPA at SungKyunKwan University
in Korea. Having interests in experiencing different cultures and studying abroad, she took
opportunities to visit Switzerland, the UK, and Thailand, working as a student fellow or intern.
She obtained her MA in Political Science at Syracuse University and her Ph.D. in Public Policy
and Administration at the University of Kentucky. Her primary research interests relate to the
provision of social welfare for economically disadvantaged individuals and related politics, with a
primary focus on the United States. Specifically, Dr. Kwak’s work seeks to understand political and
socio-economic conditions that shape state welfare policies, the interplay of politics and institutions
as they impact welfare policy making, and the ways in which welfare policy affects well-being of
economically disadvantaged individuals and families. Her recent project explores the impact of
second-order devolution on inequality in welfare provision within and across states. In her free
time, Dr. Kwak enjoys cooking and loves to hear Soyoon, her 6-year-old daughter, talking about her
new recipes. In the near future, she wants to take up painting and capture the beautiful scenery
around Charleston on canvas.
M
atthew Nowlin,
Program Director,
Ph.D. University of Oklahoma
he/him/his
Dr. Nowlin has been at the College of Charleston since August of 2013. He is a native of Tulsa,
Oklahoma and a first-generation college student. Dr. Nowlin completed his BA in Psychology and
MA in Political Science at the University of Central Oklahoma. While an undergraduate, he
worked full-time as a certified pharmacy technician in a supermarket pharmacy. After graduation
he worked as a case manager at the Department of Human Services and then as a data analysis at
the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission while working on his Masters. Dr. Nowlin
completed his PhD in Political Science at the University of Oklahoma in 2013. His research and
teaching interests are in public policy, with a particular interest in environmental policy and
politics. He teaches courses in American government, research methods, public policy, and
environmental policy. Dr. Nowlin’s current research interests include stakeholder engagement,
public opinion, hazard mitigation, and governance of social-ecological systems, with a specific focus
on climate change and climate policy. When not thinking about climate change, he likes to spend
time with his wife, Robin and their black-lab mix, Lincoln. He also enjoys reading, music, napping,
843.953.0279
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Robert (Bob) O’Neill, Instructor and Riley Fellow, MPA Syracuse University
he/him/his
Mr. O’Neill joined the College of Charleston in 2018 as a Riley Fellow and an MPA adjunct
professor. He grew up in an Air Force family and lived throughout the US, France, and Germany.
He started his public service career as a 20-year-old intern in the City Manager's Office in his
hometown of Hampton, Virginia. The work was exciting and a career interest in effective
government was launched. Mr. O’Neill completed his undergraduate degree in Political Science
from Old Dominion University and earned an MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse
University. He returned to Hampton after graduate school and held several positions, becoming
the City Manager in 1984. Getting an opportunity to be the Manager in your hometown is a
wonderful and humbling opportunity. The “reinvention” of Hampton during his thirteen-year
tenure was widely recognized and described in several books and publications. Mr. O’Neill was the
County Executive of Fairfax County, Virginia from 1997-2000 and focused on financial
restructuring and revitalizing older areas of the County. In 2000, he became the President of the
National Academy of Public Administration and in that capacity served as Counselor to the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget for management issues from May to September
of 2001. In 2002, he was named Executive Director of ICMA. Mr. O’Neill led efforts to develop
leadership and management development programs for local government professionals and
provided technical assistance and support to local governments around the world. Among Mr.
O’Neill’s commendations are the National Public Service Award from ASPA/NAPA, the Spirit of
Public Service Award from the Maxwell School, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Old
Dominion University. He is married to Karen, a retired nurse and professional chef, and is the
father of four daughters, and grandfather to seven wonderful grandkids! Mr. O’Neill can be
Douglas Rivet, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Western Ontario
he/him/his
Dr. Rivet joined the College of Charleston in August of 2019. Born and raised in the middle of
automotive alley in suburban Detroit he developed an interested in transportation systems and
their effects on planning and urban environments. These interests lead him to earn a BS from
Eastern Michigan University, MA from Western Michigan University, and PhD in Geography
from the University of Western Ontario. His research interests are focused on the relationship
between urban environments, policy, and development and rehabilitation outcomes. His personal
experiences with disability and mobility have also made him a passionate advocate for urban
systems that accommodate all means and methods of transport for people across the urban space.
He teaches courses on urbanization, planning, geography, and geographic information systems. In
his spare time, he nurtures a unique relationship with college football and a tortured relationship
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Kendra B. Stewart, Professor, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
she/her/hers
Dr. Stewart is Professor of Political Science and Public Administration and Director of the Joseph
P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston. Her research interests
include South Carolina government, non-profit management, state and local government, food
policy, and women and politics. She is co-editor of a book entitled The Practice of Government Public
Relations. The articles she has authored have appeared in various journals including Urban Affairs
Review, Public Finance and Management, Perspective in Politics, Journal of Public Affairs Education,
Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition as well as in various scholarly books. Dr. Stewart is a
fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), an independent, nonprofit,
and non-partisan organization chartered by Congress to assist government leaders in building more
effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent organizations. She was also elected to serve as
President of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) for 2020-2021. Dr. Stewart
has conducted political analysis for a variety of print, radio and television media, including Good
Morning America, Fox News Channel, the Associated Press, The New Yorker, and National Public
Radio. Dr. Stewart received her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and
her Master of Public Administration and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of South
Carolina. Prior to her current position, Dr. Stewart was a faculty member at Eastern Kentucky
University and worked for the state of South Carolina Budget and Control Board. In addition,
she has conducted program evaluations and strategic planning assistance to a variety of public and
nonprofit organizations. Dr. Stewart is very involved in the community as well, serving on the
boards of several professional and non-profit organizations. She has two children (Paxton and
Paisley) and three stepchildren (Grace, Henry and Ella). She enjoys traveling, cooking and reading.
Marla Robertson, Program Coordinator and CAP Director, MPA College of Charleston
she/her/hers
Marla is a 2006 undergraduate of the English Department and a 2019 graduate of the College of
Charleston’s MPA Program. She spent the last 13 years working on campus at the College in
Academic, Student, and Business Affairs. Marla is a board member of the Post Landfill Action
Network (PLAN), which focuses on educating campuses and students on zero-waste and landfill
aversion initiatives. Marla has served as the Black Student Union staff advisor for the last 8 years.
She also serves on the executive board for the Gender Sexuality and Equity Center (GSEC) at the
College of Charleston. She volunteers in other capacities as needed across campus and remains
vehemently dedicated to the support, encouragement, and advancement of underrepresented
students on the College of Charleston campus. Marla can be reached at [email protected] or
843-953-6690
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Adjunct Faculty
Stephen Bedard, Instructor, MBA, University of Georgia
Area of expertise: Municipal Budgeting
Scott Barhight, Instructor, JD Washington and Lee University, School of Law
Areas of expertise: Land Use Law
Michelle Mapp, JD Charleston School of Law
Areas of expertise: Housing Development and Policy
Mrs. Mapp can be reached at mappma@cofc.edu
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
MPA PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The MPA is a professional degree requiring:
• 36 semester hours, including the following:
a. 18 hours of core required courses.
b. 15 hours of electives (18 if the internship requirement is waived for previous work
experience).
c. A three-hour credit internship. Internships are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory
basis.
Transfer Credit
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0.
The Director must approve all transfer credits completed at another institution: a maximum of 12
credit hours can be transferred into the program. Decisions on transfer credits are made after the
student has been admitted to the program.
Core Curriculum
The program’s core curriculum is designed to explore the essential elements of public management
and policy, as well as to prepare students for increasingly complex responsibilities in state and local
government, nonprofit organizations, public/private partnerships, and in regional and federal
agencies. The core curriculum emphasizes knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to effectively
manage and develop organizational resources and to understand the larger constitutional and
political setting in which policy is developed and administrative tasks are defined and assessed.
Throughout the curriculum, students are regularly challenged to examine issues of unconscious
bias, institutionalized racism, and structural oppression.
Foundations of Public Sector Management and Leadership (PUBA 600) provides the foundation
for the study of public administration and should ideally be taken during the student’s first
semester in the program. This course explores the evolution and current status of the public sector
in the United States. Students will study the ethical, legal, political, and professional dimensions of
public service. Many of these central themes will be re-examined and applied in the Capstone
Seminar (PUBA 701).
The core curriculum consists of the 18 semester hours of coursework listed below and a 3 hour
internship:
• PUBA 600 Foundations of Public Sector Management and Leadership
• PUBA 601 Research and Quantitative Methods for Public Administration
• PUBA 602 Public Policy
• PUBA 604 Managing Human Resources
• PUBA 605 Managing Financial Resources
• PUBA 701 Capstone Seminar
• PUBA 777 Internship in the public sector.
Elective Courses
In addition to the core courses and three-hour internship, students will take 15 hours of elective
courses (18 hours if the internship requirement is waived for previous experience). Elective
courses are available in four areas of specialized study
• Nonprofit Administration
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
• Arts and Cultural Management
• Municipal Government and Urban Planning
• Environmental Policy and Administration
Electives should be carefully chosen, in consultation with your advisor (who is usually the MPA
program director, unless you have selected another faculty member as your advisor) to develop the
expertise and skills relevant to the student’s career path. If a student desires to earn a certificate in
one of the elective areas, all requirements for the selected certificate must be met.
Internship Requirement
Students without prior relevant public service work experience (currently employed full time in
public service or previously employed for at least one year full time in public service) are required
to complete PUBA 777 Internship (3). The student’s work history will be reviewed as part of the
application process and students will be notified at the time of acceptance if an internship is
required. To satisfy the requirement, students must work no fewer than 150 hours over the
course of the semester for three hours of internship credit. Every internship requires a written
agreement between the supervisor, student, and program director outlining the expectations of
the internship. At the conclusion of the internship, both the student and the internship
supervisor will be asked to evaluate the work and the overall experience. Students must also fulfill
the academic expectations of the internship which are likely to require written reflection of their
experiences in relation to public service competencies.
A student that gains full-time employment in the public or nonprofit sector after they are
admitted may be exempted from the internship requirement by submitting the internship waiver
request form to the MPA Director. If granted, the student is required to take an additional elective
course.
Thesis/Capstone Requirement
All students must register for a culminating experience to complete the MPA program, choosing
either Capstone or Thesis. The format of the Capstone is a Portfolio which documents student
learning throughout the program, focusing on how each student achieved mastery of the five
MPA/NASPAA competencies.
In order to complete the thesis requirement a student must have a core MPA faculty member as
their advisor along with a committee of three other faculty. In order to register for thesis hours,
the student must develop an independent study contract with their advisor containing an agreed
upon research proposal and timeline. The final thesis must adhere to all the guidelines set forth
in the Graduate School’s Thesis Manual.
Being an MPA Student at the College of Charleston
All students are held to the highest academic and professional standards. Academically, students
are expected to submit work on the date due and in ways that conform to assignment guidelines.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
All written assignments must follow APA guidelines and should be appropriately formatted with
no spelling or grammatical errors; appropriate sentence structure; and writing that is concise yet
thorough. Attached as Appendix B is a writing tip sheet.
Whether you serving as a Graduate Assistant, doing research, or finishing your degree, you will be
working as a representative of the College. The MPA provides a dynamic educational
environment that substantively combines academic vigor with applied practical fieldwork. Faculty,
staff, and students work in collaboration on innovative research and projects that serve the region.
A meaningful and successful graduate experience is dependent upon individual student
commitment to be engaged, professional, and responsible. Students are provided with materials
and orientation sessions to increase their understanding of all facets of academic and applied
learning experiences. The final responsibility for a successful education and experience lies with
the student.
MES/MPA CONCURRENT DEGREE PROGRAM
The College of Charleston is one of a few programs in the country to offer a concurrent Master’s
degree program in Public Administration and Environmental and Sustainability Studies (MES).
The concurrent MES/MPA program allows a student to attain two Master’s degrees in three years
rather than four without compromising any of the academic content in either program. This
program is aimed at preparing students for professional level positions in public organizations that
address environmental issues. Please see the Concurrent Degree Student Handbook for more
detailed information.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
The College of Charleston offers two graduate certificates. One is in Arts and Cultural
Management and the other in Urban and Regional Planning. Students can earn either certificate
independent of or as part of the MPA degree. Students must go through the admissions process
and be accepted for the certificate program in order to be eligible to earn a certificate.
Along with the required coursework for the MPA and the certificate program, students must
complete an internship that is relevant to the field in which they are obtaining their certificate
unless the internship has been waived based on public and/or nonprofit work experience.
Applications for each certificate program are reviewed by both the certificate’s program director
and the MPA program director.
Arts and Cultural Management Certificate
The Graduate Certificate Program in Arts and Cultural Management requires a minimum of
fifteen (15) hours and the following courses:
ARCM 560 Leading Arts and Cultural Organizations in a Global Society (3)
ARCM 561 The Patron-Based Arts Organization (3)
ARCM 562 Managing Arts and Cultural Resources (3)
ARCM 563 Data Management and Cloud-Based Technologies for Arts and Cultural Organizations (3)
ARCM 564 Arts Education, Community Engagement, and Advocacy (3)
Urban and Regional Planning Certificate
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
The Graduate Certificate Program in Urban and Regional Planning requires the completion of
thirteen (13) credit hours of graduate coursework. Accepted students are required to complete
PUBA 612 History and Theory of American Urban Planning and select one elective from each
sub-field of study: Policy and Policy Management, Legal Issues, and Development Practice.
Core Course (required)
PUBA 518: History and Theory of American Urban Planning
Policy and Management (complete 1 course)
PUBA 511 Urban Policy
PUBA 516 Local and Regional Economic Development: Policy and Practice
PUBA 517 Urban Transportation: Problems and Prospects
PUBA 520 Local Government Politics and Administration
Legal Issues (complete 1 course)
PUBA 513 Planning Law
PUBA 531 Administrative Law
PUBA 535 Land Use Law
EVSS 605 Environmental Law and Regulatory Policy
PUBA 534 Environmental Law and Regulatory Policy
Geographic Information Systems (complete 1 course)
PUBA 514 Urban Applications in GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
EVSS 549 Geographic Information Systems
Arts Management and Master of Public Administration 4+1 Program
Overview
Th
e Accelerated Program will allow students to study contemporary methods of arts
management within the arts that intersect with skills essential for careers in the public sector.
With this program, undergraduate students in arts management are able to take 12 graduate
credit hours in place of undergraduate hours. The accelerated curriculum allows students to
complete the ARTM undergraduate degree and MPA graduate degree with electives in arts and
cultural management (ARCM) and/or nonprofit management (PUBA). Students may apply for
and earn the ARCM certificate outside of the accelerated program.
Curriculum
• Six PUBA core courses would be taken during the student’s fifth year. An additional
elective course would be needed to achieve the required 36 credit hours required for the
MPA program.
• No more than 12 graduate hours can be counted toward the undergraduate major in an
accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s program.
• A for-credit internship is required in the ARTM program. The required MPA internship
requirement is waived if the student completed an internship in a public arts context, with
extensive public partnerships, etc. Program Directors have final approval and will
determine if the applicant needs to complete a second internship upon admission to the
MPA program. If the PUBA 777 internship is waived, then students must complete an
additional elective course to meet the MPA credit hour requirements.
• 152 total institutional (undergrad + graduate) hours are required for accelerated programs.
If a student earned the 122 minimum and double-counted all 12 graduate credit hours,
they’d need to take an additional 6 credits to meet the 152-hour requirement. The student
will need 140 unique credit hours upon graduation (this does not include the 12 double-
counted hours)
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
OTHER COURSE DESIGNATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities to develop higher-level skills and specialized study include a thesis project (PUBA
710), a directed independent study (PUBA 711), and advanced special topic seminars (PUBA 502).
In addition, courses are often available through other graduate programs on campus, through the
Medical University of South Carolina’s Health Administration program, and various Master’s
programs at the Citadel. All of these course options require permission from the MPA Director at
the College of Charleston and the Graduate School Dean at both the home and host institution.
Cross registration forms are in the Graduate School Office, 3
rd
Floor, Randolph Hall.
PROGRAM ASSISTANCE
Academic Advising
It is essential for students to meet with the MPA Director or their assigned advisor to design a
program of study that develops the skills, substantive knowledge, and practical experience that will
best serve the student's career goals upon acceptance into the program. While the core curriculum
is designed to serve all who desire a public sector career, the choice of electives, the nature of the
internship experience and the need for remedial coursework will vary from student to student.
Course Scheduling
The program is designed to meet the needs of both full-time professional administrators and pre-
service students. Students enrolled in 9 hours of classes are considered full time; 12 hours is the
maximum course load. Courses are scheduled during evening hours, typically from 5:30 – 8:15
pm. If you are employed full-time, please be sure that your employer understands that some
flexibility is necessary in order to pursue your advanced degree. If your employer is not willing to
make these accommodations, you should plan your curriculum accordingly. A curriculum
planning sheet is attached as Appendix C. Students are required to finish their degree within 5
years of obtaining degree-seeking status.
Withdrawing from Courses
It is extremely important that any student withdrawing from a course procure a withdrawal form
from the graduate school office. The importance of formally withdrawing from a course cannot be
overstated. Students who withdraw from classes without notifying the graduate school office will
receive the grade of "F" from their instructors. It is expected that students will familiarize
themselves with due dates and deadlines.
MyPortal
MyPortal is the College of Charleston’s quick, easy way to access a variety of departments online.
Your student ID and password allow you to log on to a personalized account and complete a
variety of tasks. These include searching the course catalog and registering for courses, checking
grades, paying tuition, applying for parking permits, and obtaining a degree audit.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Graduate Assistantships
The MPA program offers five graduate assistantships on a competitive basis for full-time students.
Students receiving assistantships must enroll in nine hours of coursework per semester and work
20 hours a week on research and other program-related projects.
• Four MPA students are annually selected to serve as graduate assistants for the Community
Assistance Program (CAP). CAP is housed within the MPA office and provides research and
capacity building services to nonprofit and governmental organizations.
• One MPA student is selected annually to serve under the direction of the MPA Program
Director, providing programmatic support and research assistance.
Applications for graduate assistantships are available on the Graduate School website. To be
considered for an assistantship for the fall semester, we prefer the application to be completed by
April 15
th
, and for spring semester, by October 15th. Graduate assistants are expected to work up
to 20 hours per week. In some cases, they may be assigned to individual faculty for research
projects.
There are other assistantships available on campus in some administrative departments, which are
open to all full-time graduate students.
Special Accommodations
If you need accommodations for your courses due to a disability, please contact the Center for
Disability Services at [email protected] or (843) 953-1431. MPA instructors are very willing to
make any adjustments necessary to address student needs.
Student Grievance Procedure
Students may obtain a copy of the grievance procedures from the Graduate School Office at 843-
953-5614. Students may also refer to the College of Charleston Student Handbook for policies
and procedures http://studentaffairs.cofc.edu/honor-system/studenthandbook/index.php
Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society
Pi Alpha Alpha is the national society formed to recognize and promote excellence in the study
and practice of public affairs and administration. The MPA program has hosted a local chapter of
the honor society since 1994. Membership is open to graduate students who have completed 30
hours of coursework, maintained a GPA of at least 3.7, and who are in the upper twenty (20%) of
their class. Induction into Pi Alpha Alpha occurs every spring semester. You will be contacted by
the program director if you are eligible and invited to join and participate in the induction
ceremony. This honor is especially important as you make yourself uniquely qualified for potential
employment.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Graduation
Students must apply for Graduation to the Graduate School Office by the dates indicated on the
academic calendar for the semester in which they expect to graduate. If a candidate for graduation
fails to complete his or her degree requirements, the graduation application must be canceled at
least two weeks before the end of the semester. The application must be resubmitted in the
semester the requirements are completed. Students must also pay a graduation fee at the time of
submission or resubmission of the application. Fees may be paid at the Treasurer’s Office. No bill
will be sent. Additionally, students MUST be enrolled in courses or in one-hour of continuous
enrollment (PUBA 900) in the semester in which they intend to graduate.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Graduates of the MPA program have found employment in a wide variety of public settings at all
levels of government as well as with nonprofit organizations. Securing meaningful employment
requires efforts by program faculty, staff, and the student. In addition to the Director, program
faculty can provide valuable academic and professional guidance. It is particularly important to
develop clear and realistic career goals, design an appropriate program of study, and to develop
basic skills and competencies to be competitive in the job market. It is also important to begin
networking with professionals in the public sector – especially in the student’s area of interest.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the following organizations and opportunities to
develop academic skills, practical experience, and professional contacts. Additionally, the College
of Charleston Career Services office offers a wealth of knowledge and is available to both
undergraduate and graduate students. Be sure to take advantage of their expertise and helpfulness.
Master of Public Administration Student Association (MPASA)
Fellow students have a wide range of experience and knowledge to share. The MPASA serves
students through hosting social and professional opportunities. Elections for 5 positions are held
during the spring semester. New and returning students are encouraged to participate; both part-
time and full-time students are eligible to run for one-year terms. MPASA also appoints 2 student
representatives to the Graduate Student Association’s Senate Council. MPASA encourages all
students to network with each other outside of classes. The president of MPASA is appointed a
role on the MPA Advisory Committee and granted an opportunity to have a conference
registration sponsored by the MPA program.
Academic Support Services on Campus
The Center for Student Learning, the Reference Desk at Addlestone Library, and the Office of
Career Services offer valuable campus wide services. See “College of Charleston Facilities” (page
30) for contact information.
Workshops, Speakers, and Roundtables
Periodic workshops, training sessions, and speakers are sponsored through the MPA program,
MPASA and the Graduate School. Topics are open for student input and designed around their
needs. Some recent topics included: grant writing, public/private partnerships in the Lowcountry,
GIS training, time management, growth management in the Lowcountry, community nonprofit
organizations, and an open meeting with a career panel. The MPA program also hosts monthly
Lunch and Learn sessions, designed to highlight the diverse representation among public
administrators.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Master of Public Administration Advisory Committee
The Master of Public Administration Advisory Committee is composed of alumni from the MPA
program, established members of the public and nonprofit sectors in the Lowcountry, and student
representation. The Advisory Committee serves as an important bridge between the program and
professionals working in the field and provides advice on a number of program issues.
South Carolina Chapter, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
The Lowcountry ASPA is the local chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.
ASPA membership provides extensive networking opportunities in the Lowcountry, access to
national organization resources, and a subscription to Public Administration Review, the leading
journal in the field. Applications are available from the MPA office and online at www.aspanet.org.
The Lowcountry Chapter is eager to include MPA students in their membership, and currently
maintains two board seats for students in the MPA program. You are encouraged to contact
ASPA to ascertain if these positions are currently available and for further information about
ASPA opportunities and membership. The MPA Program provides a complimentary ASPA
membership for all students during their enrollment.
The Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable Communities
The MPA Program is physically located in the Riley, where the majority of our courses are offered.
The Riley Center serves as the primary outreach vehicle of the College. They provide public
assistance to local and state governments and nonprofit organizations. The Center’s technical
assistance and research capabilities include survey research, formal evaluation design, data
collection and analysis, planning, personnel studies, compensation studies, economic impact
analysis, and budgeting. Students are encouraged to become involved in Center activities. In
addition, the Center often sponsors national and local conferences that are open for student
participation and attendance. Please see Dr. Kendra Stewart, Director of The Riley Center, for
more information or visit the website at riley.cofc.edu.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON FACILITIES
DEPARTMENT PHONE WEB SERVICES PROVIDED
Career Services 953-5692 careercenter.cofc.edu/ Provides career counseling, workshops, and
occupational information.
Center for
Student Learning
953-5635
csl.cofc.edu/
Offers students personalized assistance in the areas
of reading and studying skills, writing skills, math,
and the sciences. Free of charge. Located in the
Addlestone Library.
Computer
Facilities
Help Desk
953-3375
it.cofc.edu/computing/ The Addlestone Library houses over 250 Dells and
Macs. The JC Long Computer Lab has 100
personal high-performance Pentiums and Macs.
Printing is handled by three high speed Laser
printers.
Health and
Wellness
953-5640 wellness.cofc.edu/ Provides professional counseling and testing
services.
Health Services 953-5520 studenthealth.cofc.edu/ Provides routine office care and referrals to local
physicians, hospitals, and laboratories. Information
about student health insurance is also available.
Financial Aid and
Veteran's Affairs
953-5540 finaid.cofc.edu/ Assists in applying for federal financial aid
programs, scholarships and work-study programs.
Library 953-5530 cofc.edu/library/ Reserve readings for graduate courses are kept at
the front desk.
Parking 953-7834 parkingservices.cofc.edu Student parking lots are available after 5:00 PM at
no cost. A parking permit application is available
through Parking Services if you would like a
reserved parking place.
Residence Life
and Housing
953-5523 reslife.cofc.edu
40 Coming Street
There are no campus facilities for graduate
students, but information concerning off-campus
housing is available.
Stern Student
Center
953-5726 sterncenter.cofc.edu/ The student union includes a food court, automatic
teller machines, a swimming pool and gym, and
bulletin boards with campus information.
Social Campus
Events
www.cofc.edu/sota
www.cofcsports.com
Lectures, dances, concerts, sporting events, etc. are
open to all students with college identification.
Sports Facilities 953-5556 Campusrec.cofc.edu Tennis courts, handball courts, gym, classes, and
intramurals.
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
APPENDIX A
College of Charleston
MPA Program
Operationalization of the NASPAA Competencies
The Master of Public Administration at the College of Charleston operationally defines the five
NSAPAA competencies, within the context of the program’s mission, vision, and values as
follows:
Lead and Manage in the Public Interest
Mastery begins with a value system that shapes behavior, and then relies on vision, leadership,
and technical skills to affect positive change. Upon graduation students will be able to:
• Describe approaches to and context of public sector leadership
• Demonstrate proficiency in executing administrative functions and motivating people
• Value people and display effective leadership qualities
Contribute to, and Participate in, the Policy Process
Mastery requires a strong sense of civic duty coupled with the technical skills to tackle complex
social problems and an overarching respect for policy as a useful tool for change. Upon
graduation students will be able to:
• Explain various policy frameworks, the policy process, and democratic systems
• Analyze policy problems; conduct and evaluate policy research
• Demonstrate an appreciation for how the past and present affects policy development and
direction as well as the importance of including people affected by policy to participate in
the process
Analyze, Synthesize, Think Critically, Solve Problems, and Make Evidence-Informed
Decisions in a Complex and Dynamic Environment
Mastery requires an ability to make difficult decision alongside of those affected by the decisions
in ways that are informed by logic, research, and reason with the ultimate goal of advancing the
common good. Upon graduation students will be able to:
• Describe the scientific method/evidence-based methods and identify reliable data sources
to inform decision making
• Employ appropriate qualitative or quantitative data collection and analysis methodologies
to aid in decision making or problem solving
• Demonstrate a spirit of inquiry that values diverse perspectives, reflection, and
transparency
Articulate, Apply, and Advance a Public Service Perspective
Mastery requires a commitment to justice when considering solutions to systemic inequalities
that threaten the common good. Upon graduation students will be able to:
• Define the role of the public sector in creating public value
• Explain how the reconciliation of competing values, expectations, and goals build public
trust and strengthen individual and institutional relationships
• Practice the values of fairness, justice, equity, responsiveness, empathy, and co-creation
Communicate and Interact Productively and in Culturally Responsive Ways, with a
Diverse and Changing Workforce and Society At-Large
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Mastery requires attention to the biases that may influence understanding, action, and decision
making as well as a commitment to remedy barriers to active participation. Upon graduation
students will be able to:
• Recognize bias and the ways privilege and power have shaped public sector institutions
and outcomes
• Incorporates various communication tools and strategies (e.g., written reports, social
media, oral presentations) that are appropriate to the context and audience in the
management of public service organizations
• Demonstrate curiosity about and respect for individual and group differences; seek to
engage diverse perspectives
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
APPENDIX B
College of Charleston
Master of Public Administration Program
Writing Tip Sheet
All assignments are expected to reflect these general guidelines:
General Writing Expectations:
Follow APA guidelines for all in-text citations (i.e., quotations are framed effectively
and properly attributed) and references
Use Times New Roman 12-point font
Indent the first line of each paragraph by ½ inch
Spell out numbers under ten (e.g., six, not 6)
Use precise, unambiguous, real words (e.g., thru is not a word)
Do not use an undefined acronym
Be sure your paper does not include unspecified pronouns
Use proper tense
Refer to people as “who” and things as “that” (e.g., Sally is a person who…; Yesterday,
there was a meeting that…”)
Insert page numbers
Follow assignment guidelines regarding length, formatting, submission details,
deadlines, etc.
Proofread to assure submissions are free from spelling, punctuation, and grammatical
errors
Content:
Submission incorporates and applies course concepts and ideas with facility
Key points/central arguments/core concepts of the assignment (e.g., book review,
presentation, literature review) are easily identified and well-articulated
Writing demonstrates comprehensive grasp of theoretical concepts, major themes, or
underlying assumptions of reference material
Avoids extraneous detail (e.g., arbitrary reference to work experiences)
Evidence used to support key points is rich, detailed, and well-chosen
The conclusion logically flows from the material presented, bringing closure; which
means that new concepts are not presented at the end of the paper/presentation unless
relevant to the central arguments or couched in terms of directions for future research or
study
All recommendations include a clearly articulated rational that flows logically from
previously presented ideas, themes, or concepts
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
Formatting and Flow:
Overall organization is logical and quickly apparent, typically achieved with a strong
introductory paragraph that lays out the topic, a nuanced central argument, and structure
of the submission
Connections among paragraphs are clearly articulated and transitions are smooth
Each paragraph advances one distinct and coherent point that is clearly expressed
All concepts are referred to in the same way (e.g., employee satisfaction is referred to as
employee satisfaction throughout the paper; not as morale in one section and engagement
in another)
General Tips about Language and Writing that are Likely to Affect your Grade:
If you have received feedback on a previous assignment on any of the expectations
above, be sure to incorporate that feedback into future assignments
Public agencies are not “companies.” This is a public administration program; do not
refer to public sector or nonprofit organizations as companies
Refrain from using passive voice (if you do not know what this is, look it up)
Critical writing is not always negative
Avoid stringing together numerous quotations from various (or the same) source and
submitting as your research paper, literature review, or some other summary-type
assignment. These kinds of synthesis-related assignments require you to do independent
research; identify key points, main ideas, or central arguments; and then reveal your
interpretation of what was discovered
MPA PROGRAM OF STUDY FORM
NOTE: The number of required credit hours is 36
NAME: _________________________________________ STUDENT ID#________________
I. CORE COURSES
All students must complete the following core courses
COURSE
NUMBER
TITLE
CREDIT
HOURS
SEMESTER/YEAR
PUBA 600
Foundations of Public Sector
Management and Leadership
3
PUBA 601
Research and Quantitative Methods
for Public Administration
3
PUBA 602
Public Policy
3
PUBA 604
Managing Human Resources
3
PUBA 605
Managing Financial Resources
3
PUBA 701
Public Administration Capstone
3
Capstone can be waived and replaced with PUBA 710 Thesis (3)
TOTAL CORE CREDIT HOURS: 18
II. INTERNSHIP
Students without relevant work experience are required to complete PUBA 777
Internship (3). Students that receive an internship waiver must complete an
additional three hours of electives.
AGENCY / ORGANIZATION
SEMESTER /YEAR
TOTAL INTERNSHIP CREDIT HOURS: 3
OR
CHECK IF INTERNSHIP WAIVER: _______
III. ELECTIVE COURSES
Students must complete 18 credit hours (OR 15 credit hours plus an internship) of
electives.
COURSE
NUMBER
TITLE
CREDIT
HOURS
SEMESTER/YEAR
TOTAL ELECTIVE CREDIT HOURS: ______
IV. TRANSFER CREDITS
Students may transfer up to 12 credit hours earned outside of the MPA Program:
COURSE
NUMBER
TITLE AND
INSTITUTION
TERM
CREDIT
HOURS
GRADE
INSTRUCTOR
TOTAL TRANSFER CREDIT HOURS: ______
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: ________
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING CERTIFICATE
If you are planning to graduate with an Urban Planning certificate, four of your elective courses
must be selected from the following list:
Anticipated
Completion
Semester
Completed
Required Course
PUBA 518 History and Theory of American
Urban Planning
Policy and Management (Complete 1 Course)
PUBA 511 Urban
Policy
PUBA 516 Local and Regional Economic
Development: Policy and Practice
PUBA 517 Urban Transportation: Problems
and Prospects
PUBA 519 Community Planning
PUBA 520 Local Government Politics and
Administration
PUBA 534 Environmental Law
and Regulatory Policy
PUBA 513 Planning Law
PUBA 531 Administrative Law
PUBA 543 Environmental Law and Regulatory Policy
PUBA 535 Land Use Law
G
eographic Information Systems
(Complete 1 Course)
EVSS 549 Geographic
Information Systems
PUBA 514 Urban Applications of Geographic
Information Systems
ARTS & CULTURAL MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE
If you are planning to graduate with an Arts & Cultural Management certificate, you must take the
following elective courses:
Required Courses
Anticipated
Completion
Semester
Completed
ARCM 570 Leading Arts and Cultural Organizations
ARCM 571 Arts Education, Community Engagement,
and Advocacy
ARCM 572 Data Management and Cloud-Based
Technologies
ARCM 573 The Patron-Based Arts Organization
ARCM 574 Managing Arts and Cultural Resources
Legal Issues (Complete 1 Course)
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Master of Public Administration Student Handbook
ADDITIONAL USEFUL LINKS
College of Charleston
Municipalities & Employers
Associations
MPA Program puba.cofc.edu
The Graduate School at the College of Charleston gradschool.cofc.edu
Financial Aid Office finaid.cofc.edu
College of Charleston Career Services careercenter.cofc.edu
CISTERNonline – On-Campus Jobs cisternonline.experience.com
Academic Calendar registrar.cofc.edu/calendars/
City of Charleston, SC www.charleston-sc.gov
Charleston County www.charlestoncounty.org
Town of Summerville
www.summerville.sc.us
State of South Carolina – Jobs www.jobs.sc.gov
Town of Mount Pleasant www.tompsc.com
South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations www.scanpo.org
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) www.aspanet.org
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) www.icma.org
Municipal Association of SC www.masc.sc
Charleston Young Professionals
www.charleston-yp.com
