Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

The mission of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) is to prepare students to make substantive contributions to society through careers as managers, advisors, and policy analysts in government and nonprofit organizations in a multitude of geographic locations throughout the world. This mission is accomplished through dedication to quality teaching that builds skills and commitments to the core values, challenges, and rewards of public service. It is supported through basic and applied research on timely issues of public management, international, regional and urban affairs, and policymaking. The school and faculty are committed to making a difference in the world by drawing on diverse skills and knowledge to improve the performance of public and nonprofit organizations that contribute to free and just societies in the United States and abroad. To accomplish these ends, GSPIA teaches, conducts research, and performs public service in the following areas:

The mission of GSPIA stresses the importance of democratic responsibilities and personal integrity in the management of human affairs as well as the professional qualifications required for managing constructive change. Students and faculty alike are required to:

Contact Information

GSPIA
Office of Student Services
Suite 3L03 Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 648-7640
Fax: (412) 648-7641
E-mail: gspia@pitt.edu
Web site: http://www.gspia.pitt.edu/

Admissions

GSPIA admits persons who have demonstrated intellectual competence and high motivation in an academic and/or professional environment and who will enrich the quality of life in the school. Individuals from varied cultural, academic, and social backgrounds provide an exciting frame of reference for the stimulating exchanges so vital to a dynamic academic process. The following are required of all applicants:

Transcripts

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or a degree that is equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate academic work to date must be provided, including certified English translations of documents in other languages. Final transcripts indicating the award of the bachelor's degree must be submitted prior to enrollment. Applicants are expected to have a B or better average (3.00 QPA) in their work to date. It is desirable, but not mandatory, that PhD applicants have a master's degree in public and international affairs or in the social sciences before undertaking doctoral study.

Application and Fees

Applicants must submit a completed admissions application and a non-refundable $40 application fee.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, with two from faculty members if applicants graduated within the last three years. Otherwise, letters of recommendation will be accepted from supervisors and professional colleagues. MPPM and non-degree applicants are required to submit only two letters of recommendation from supervisors or professional colleagues.

Essays

The first two of the three essays on the application are required for MPA, MPIA, and PhD. MPPM applicants need complete the first essay only. In response to the first essay, applicants are asked to submit a clear statement of purpose that indicates why and how the master's or PhD program will contribute to their career goals. In the second essay, applicants are asked to provide a brief substantive analysis of a national or international policy issue. For the third essay, which is optional, applicants are asked to discuss any further information or special circumstances that should be taken into consideration by the Admissions Committee.

Writing Sample

Doctoral applicants are required to submit a writing sample, such as a research paper or thesis, in addition to the required essays.

Resume

All applicants must submit a resume, which, in addition to employment, includes honors, memberships in professional organizations, community service, and volunteer activities. The resumes of MPPM applicants should indicate a minimum of five years of substantial managerial experience in a public sector position, a nonprofit agency, or a private sector organization where issues of public policy are present.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

For international applicants, the results of the TOEFL must be submitted. Applicants must have a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, earned within the last two years. MPPM applicants are expected to have TOEFL scores of 600 on the paper-based test or 250 on the computer-based equivalent. The TOEFL is required of all applicants who are non-native speakers of English.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Official GRE scores, taken no more than three years prior to application, are required for doctoral admission, but are optional for admission to master's degree programs. Applicants may also submit scores from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) instead of GREs for doctoral admission.

Non-Degree Admission

Non-degree admission is for individuals who wish to change careers or improve their current employment status and persons who are degree candidates at other institutions who wish to transfer credits from GSPIA to their home institution. Persons wishing to be considered for non-degree status must submit a completed application and application fee, along with a letter requesting non-degree status. The letter should include the reasons for requesting non-degree status, the course(s), certificate, or specialization desired, and how pursuing this course of study relates to professional enhancement. In addition to the above, applicants are to submit official transcripts of all college-level academic work completed and two letters of reference. One letter should be from an employer.

Guest students who are taking courses for transfer to another institution need only submit an application and fee and a transcript from their home school. Applicants pursuing an advanced certificate program must have previously earned a master's degree in a relevant field or must possess a bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.

Admission Prerequisites

Though not required for admission, applicants to GSPIA's master's programs are strongly encouraged to take courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics prior to enrolling in GSPIA. In addition, it is suggested that applicants have prior experience with statistical, spreadsheet, and presentation software packages. Students who have not had formal course work in the above may take preparatory courses offered in GSPIA or the University early in their programs.

Admission Deadlines

The following admission deadlines apply to individuals who do not wish to be considered for financial aid (those applicants who are interested in financial aid should see section on Financial Assistance below):

Financial Assistance

Applicants who wish to be considered for financial assistance from the school must submit all application materials on or before February 1. Scholarships, fellowships, and student employment are awarded to full-time students admitted with full graduate status in the school's master's and doctoral programs. These annual awards, made to students admitted in the fall of each academic year, are to be applied to tuition and living expenses incurred during the Fall and Spring Terms. Financial assistance is generally unavailable to students who are admitted in the Spring or Summer Terms.

Financial aid, based primarily on academic performance and to a lesser extent on need, is granted in amounts ranging from partial to full tuition scholarships, work awards, and assistantships. Once financial aid is awarded, the school is committed to funding students' second year, providing recipients are in good academic standing, that is, a 3.30 cumulative QPA and a minimum of 12 credits a term. Eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for Stafford Loans throughout the year. See section on Financial Aid for more information.

International applicants seeking financial assistance must also submit the Financial Certification Form, which is enclosed with the admissions application materials.

Academic Standards

Students are expected to maintain a minimum QPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) throughout their academic program. In addition to earning a minimum QPA of 3.00, to be eligible for graduation, students are also required to have earned a 3.00 average in their school-wide core and a 3.00 average in their program core courses.

Although C or lower grades may be given, these are not considered as indicating acceptable performance. Under no circumstances will any grade of U or C- or lower be counted among the minimum total number of credits required for the degree.

Probation

Students are automatically placed on academic probation when their QPA falls below the minimum 3.00 average or when they fail to complete a G grade by the end of the term following the one in which the G was assigned.

Dismissal

Students who fail to correct the deficiencies of their academic probation within one term of enrollment are subject to dismissal. Should a recommendation to dismiss be made by the division director, students may first appeal the decision to the division faculty for faculty review. Faculty decisions may be appealed to the associate dean.

For additional information on academic standards and procedures, students are referred to GSPIA's Handbook of Academic Policies and Procedures for Master's Degree Programs, GSPIA's Doctoral Studies Handbook, and the University's Guidelines on Academic Integrity: Student and Faculty Obligations and Hearing Procedures.

Advising and Placement

Academic Advising: Each student is assigned a faculty advisor based on, whenever possible, the compatibility of student and faculty academic interests. Faculty advisors assure that students, through proper course selection, can make productive use of the resources of the school and the University during their period of residence. In addition, faculty advisors are responsible for counseling their advisees about career opportunities in the student's area of study; for counseling advisees who have been placed on probation; and for approving the advisee's school-wide required and elective courses, proposed thesis or dissertation topics, and supervised internships. Advisors and students monitor academic progress and identify areas where corrective action on the part of students may be required. It is essential, therefore, that students consult periodically with their advisors. Unless students subsequently request a change, faculty members originally assigned will continue as advisors throughout the students' program of study. If, however, a change in faculty advisor is requested, students must obtain the signed approval of the new advisors.

Professional Development and Career Placement: GSPIA places great emphasis on assisting students in determining the best and most appropriate positions available. In addition to faculty advisors, the school provides resources and guidance for students throughout their course of study as they devise strategies to identify professional opportunities. Among the many services offered through the Office of Career Services are individual career advising, internship and job search assistance, and a series of career-related workshops and special events. Extensive reference materials on jobs, fellowships, and internships are made available in a variety of ways, including Career Notes, a bi-weekly electronic publication listed on the Career Services Web page (www.gspia.pitt.edu/csgspia/). Workshops cover such topics as resume preparation, job search strategies, negotiation skills, researching companies, and using technology in securing employment. Special events include Foreign Service information sessions, mock interviews for the Presidential Management Internship Program, a career information fair, and Table Talk, an interactive meeting with alumni, foundations, and agency representatives, held annually in Washington, DC.

Master's Degree Requirements

The following section details general requirements for all master's candidates in GSPIA. For more program-specific requirements, see the relevant program under Program Descriptions below.

MPA and MPIA Programs

A minimum of 48 credits is required for the completion of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA) degrees. All students are to complete the following 12-credit requirement unless exempted through examination or prior academic or professional experience:

MPPM Program

As part of the requirements for the Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM), the school's executive management degree program, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits. Included in the 30 credit minimum, are the following two courses, for six credits, that are required of all students in that program:

PIA 2850 Public Service Skills and Competencies in the 21st Century

PIA 2896 MPPM Policy Seminar

Major and Degree Options

GSPIA offers the following degrees wholly within the school:

• Master of Public Administration (MPA), including majors in:

  Policy Research and Analysis

  Public and Nonprofit Management

  Urban and Regional Affairs

• Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA), including majors in:

  Economic and Social Development

  Global Political Economy

  International Affairs

  Security and Intelligence Studies

• Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Dual degrees in MPA/MPIA

GSPIA also offers joint degree programs in conjunction with the Katz Graduate School of Business, the School of Law, the School of Information Sciences, the Graduate School of Public Health, and the School of Social Work. Through these combined degrees, the exceptional resources of the University are available for extended professional training, allowing students to receive two degrees in a shorter period than would normally be required if they were to pursue the two separately.

MBA/MPIA

The joint degree with the Katz Graduate School of Business prepares MPIA students to work in the increasingly global economy. It provides students with the administrative, managerial, and financial skills necessary for business as well as an understanding of international economic, political, and cultural aspects that define the international business environment. Students earn both an MBA and the MPIA degrees. This joint degree program can be completed in two years.

JD/MPIA or JD/MPA

The School of Law offers rigorous training for students preparing for a professional career that combines law with public policy and management. Students completing the program receive the Juris Doctor degree and the MPIA or MPA from GSPIA. The two degrees can be completed in four years.

MSW/MPIA or MSW/MPA

GSPIA and the School of Social Work enable students to prepare for careers in social service delivery, nonprofit management, and social policy. Students receive a Master of Social Work and either the MPA or the MPIA from GSPIA. The two degrees can be completed in three years.

MIS/MPIA or MIS/MPA

GSPIA also offers a joint-degree program with the School of Information Sciences. Because GSPIA degree programs contain from 12 to 15 elective courses, by judicious selection of these courses, students are able to complete an MPA or MPIA degree and a Master of Information Science (MIS) degree with only one or two extra terms of course work. Graduates of this combined program are offered positions as designers and managers of information systems in public, private, and nonprofit areas in the United States and abroad.

MPH/MPA or MPH/MPIA

The joint degree program with the Graduate School of Public Health is designed for students who are interested in health issues in less developed societies. With changes in the structure, management, and financing of governmental and voluntary organizations that provide public health services, trained professionals are needed to manage these dramatic changes. Some of the changes include the increasing use of managed care models to provide physical and behavioral services; privatizing health services; strengthening community support for de-institutionalized mentally ill and developmentally impaired individuals; using more sophisticated information systems and for monitoring and evaluating patient outcomes. Students participating in this joint program earn both an MPA or MPIA and the Master of Public Health in Health Services Administration.

Special Academic Opportunities/Programs

GSPIA offers a variety of academic programs to complement the degree programs offered. Included amongst these are area studies, exchange programs, and research and travel grants.

Area Studies

GSPIA students are encouraged to participate in area studies programs, offered through the University Center for International Studies, that include Asian Studies, the Center for Western European Studies, and the European Union Center, the Center for Latin American Studies, and the Center for Russian and East European Studies. For further information, see UCIS's section in beginning on page 365 of this bulletin.

Exchange Programs

Many GSPIA students choose to enrich their experience by attending universities abroad for a portion of their course of study. They may earn up to twelve credits toward the degrees of Master of Public Administration or Master of Public and International Affairs. The School of Public Administration of the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Institute for Social Studies at The Hague, and the Universities of Sussex and Wales in Great Britain have entered into agreement with GSPIA, establishing reciprocal programs of student exchange. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the extensive study abroad opportunities available through the University's Study Abroad Office. (Students may contact the office in room 802 of the William Pitt Union by calling 412-648-7413.)

Research and Travel Grants

Budget permitting, each year the Office of the Dean and the school's academic divisions make available small grants to students. Uses for these grants can include attending professional development conferences, presenting papers, and supporting internships and study abroad activities.

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA)

Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM)

Doctor of Philosophy in Public and International Affairs

Graduate School of Public and International Affairs Faculty