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Welcome New Graduate Students!

We are excited to begin another semester and we would like to welcome all our new graduate students to the MPA Program. As you begin your coursework here at Northeastern, we hope that you find the following information helpful. Graduate courses begin on Wednesday, September 5, 2012.

2012-2013 Graduate Student Guidebook

Please look over The 2012-2013 Graduate Student Guidebook for information specific to your program and this current academic year.

Registration

All students are required to register online using their MyNEU accounts. Full-time students in our graduate programs typically register for 3 courses per semester and part-time students register for 1 or 2 courses per semester. Registration for new domestic students has opened. New international students will be cleared to register during the International Student and Scholar Institute Orientation.

Course Selection

Questions often arise regarding which graduate courses a student should take. The answer to this question will be different for each of you, but there is some advice we offer based on your degree and past experience. Also, please keep in mind some very popular courses often fill-up quickly so have several back-up options in case a course is full.

Master of Public Administration: The practice in the Department is to offer courses that are required for the MPA degree (core courses) at least twice every year. Other courses are offered on a “rolling basis” depending on availability and popularity.

There are eight core MPA courses being offered this coming semester you should consider taking. They are:

POLS 7202 Quantitative Techniques
POLS 7203 Techniques of Policy Analysis
POLS 7301 Public Personnel Administration
POLS 7302 Organizational Theory and Management
POLS 7303 Public Budgeting and Finance
POLS 7304 Economic Institutions and Analysis
POLS 7305 Institutional Leadership and the Public Manager
POLS 7306 Capstone in Public Administration and Politics

If you are a full-time student, we recommend you take at least two of the above core courses. If you are a part-time student, we recommend you that take at least one of the above core courses. However, if you are interested in a specific elective or two this may be the only semester the course will be offered when you are a student, so taking more than one elective your first semester is a fine option.

Among the courses offered in the Department of Political Science to consider as electives, we especially recommend any of the following for MPA students, depending on your interests:

POLS 7251 Congress and Policy
POLS 7307 Functions and Techniques of Public Management
POLS 7309 The Nonprofit Sector in Civil Society
POLS 7310 Administrative Law and Politics
POLS 7313 State Government
POLS 7318 Program Evaluation
POLS 7327 Comparative Public Policy and Administration
POLS 7361 US National Security Policy

Other courses offered in the Department in the Political Science and School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs may be of interest to students. These courses can be found through the course schedule, which you can access via your MyNEU account. Please make sure that your electives courses are elegible toward the MPA degree.

New Student Orientation

All new on-campus students should attend the appropriate orientation sessions if at all possible. At this meeting we will go over course requirements and some strategies on how to make the best of your time at Northeastern. Online students and other MPA students who cannot make the orientation should familiarize themselves with the information in the slideshow below. Finally, everyone who can make it should try to come to our welcome reception, though this is not required, and to any of the other first semester workshops listed below!

MPA Online Information
When: On-going
Click here for some introductory information about the MPA program and taking courses online. The linked to file goes over some basic information about the program and taking courses online, including a online course demo that goes over accessing the online environment and what to expect from an online course. This information is useful both to the online only student and anyone taking just one online class.
The Basics of American Government
When: Tuesday, September 6, 2011, 2 PM to 3:45 PM
Where: 215 Shillman Hall
This workshop, given by Christopher Bosso, Professor and Associate Dean in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs is intended for any entering graduate student who needs a “refresher” in the basic design and functions of American national government. The workshop is intended especially for international students with little formal background in U.S. government, but is open to any grad student needing a review.
MPA On-Campus Orientation
When: Tuesday, September 6th, 4:30- 5:30 PM
Where: 315 Behrakis Health Sciences Center
Meet MPA core faculty, current students, and alumni. This is required of all new MPA students who can make it to campus. Please see above if you are an online student or otherwise cannot make it to the on-campus orientation event.
New Student Reception
When: Tuesday, September 6th, 6 -8 PM
Where: Our House East, 52 Gainsborough Street.
Join Faculty, Staff, other new students, and some current students for an informal get together to welcome you to Northeastern. Free Food! Cash Bar!
MA and PhD student Orientation
When: Wednesday, September 7th, 4-4:45 PM
Where: 306 Meserve Hall
This is required of all new MA and PhD students.
Teaching Assistants Fall Meeting
When: Thursday, September 8th, 12-1:15 PM
Where: 306 Meserve Hall
All new and current Teaching Assistants, as well as assigned faculty, should come to this meeting. Lunch will be served.
Utilizing the NU Library
When: Friday, September 23, 2011, 4 PM to 5:30 PM
Where: TBD
In this workshop, Roxanne Palmatier will go over the various resources offered through the NU Library and how they can be accessed in person and online. This session is highly recommended for all graduate students.

In addition to the above, you may also be required to attend orientation meetings and training sessions for offices at Northeastern and there are several welcome week events and receptions that might be of interest to you. (i.e. International Student and Scholars Institute, Teaching Assistantship training, and Welcome Week!) .

Program Contact

You will be assigned a faculty advisor just before the start of the semester. Until then, if you have questions about planning your schedule, please contact one of the following:

Louis DaRos
Administrative Assistant
617.373.8900
l.daros@neu.edu

Dr. Thomas J. Vicino
Director, MPA Program and Assistant Professor of Political Science
617.373.2619
t.vicino@neu.edu

Dr. Laurie Dopkins
Director of Academic Affairs
School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs
617.373.2889
l.dopkins@neu.edu

International Student Information

If you are an international student and have questions regarding your visa status, please contact: Sheila Magee in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. You should also contact the International Student & Scholar Institute for information on orientation, Boston, and Cultural Programs.

Additional Northeastern Resources

The following are some “quicklinks” for offices you may need to as you transition to being a graduate student at Northeastern.

Housing Information

On-Campus Housing
Off-Campus Housing

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