Admission Procedures Admission Requirements Appeal of Graduate Admission

Transfer Residency Requirement Academic Policies Degree Requirements

The University of North Georgia (UNG) offers a 36-semester-hour Master of Public Administration (MPA) program in order to serve qualified, professionally oriented college graduates who aspire to employment in the public sector, in a nonprofit organization, or in a corporate setting having extensive interaction with governmental agencies. The MPA program is designed to serve students who are currently employed in a public-service organization or are contemplating a new career in public and human services. The MPA program is intended to be challenging in order to make a student’s investment of time worthwhile, but also flexible to accommodate the schedules of both full-time and part-time students and to allow students with a variety of interests to profit from the program’s curricular options. Applications from prospective graduate students are welcome year ‘round. A student accepted into the program may begin to pursue graduate study in any semester, provided that work begins within twelve months of the student’s offer of admission to the MPA program

For additional information, call the Master of Public Administration Program, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, 706-864-1916, or write to Master of Public Administration Program, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, Hansford Hall, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001.

 

Graduate Studies’ Admission Procedures

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Application materials may be obtained from Graduate Studies or from the UNG website, www.ung.edu/graduate/mpa. Applicants must pay a one-time, non-refundable application fee. Admission requirements are listed below. When all application materials have been received by Graduate Studies, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of all materials will be forwarded to the program.  Upon review, a letter from the MPA program will be sent to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.

Students who are admitted but do not enroll within one year of acceptance must reapply through Graduate Studies. Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last three terms must also reapply. All documents and materials submitted to fulfill the application requirements for entry to a program at UNG become the property of the university and will not be returned. These materials are kept for one year for incomplete application files and for three years for students whose applications are completed and accepted but who do not enroll.

MPA Admission Requirements

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The following documents must be received prior to admission:

1. Graduate Studies application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution and state a cumulative calculated grade point average.
4. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or evidence of a graduate degree. Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
5. Three UNG recommendation forms.
6. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the United States.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

1. UNG Immunization Certificate. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to submit documentation for any new immunization requirements since last attended.

Regular Admission

To qualify for regular admission, individuals must meet all program admission requirements and:

1. Hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies’ admission procedures.
2. Have received an acceptable score on one of the appropriate entrance tests for admission to the MPA program of at least 800 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the GRE if taken before August 1, 2011; or at least 285 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the GRE if taken on or after August 1, 2011; or at least 420 on the GMAT.

Provisional Admission

To qualify for provisional admission, individuals must:

1. Hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies’ admission procedures.
2. Have received an acceptable score on one of the appropriate entrance tests for the MPA program of at least 700 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) if taken before August 1, 2011; or at least 280 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the GRE if taken on or after August 1, 2011; or 340 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a cumulative total of six-nine hours of graduate credit while enrolled with this status. Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following the completion of six hours.

Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate public-administration course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the MPA program. Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the program coordinator after a period of one year from the date the student was removed. Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate public-administration courses, but who do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the MPA program coordinator before enrolling in courses and may register for no more than a total of nine hours of graduate credit.

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

1. Graduate Studies Application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended with at least a 2.75 overall cumulative grade point average in accordance with Graduate Studies procedures. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
4. Three UNG recommendation forms.
5. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) of at least 800 (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken before August 1, 2011; or at least 285 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the GRE if taken on or after August 1, 2011; or at least 420 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
6. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the United States.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

1. UNG Immunization Certificate. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to document any new immunization requirements since last attended.

Non-degree students wishing to apply for degree-seeking admission to the MPA program must notify the program coordinator, submit a new application, and meet all program admission requirements. All elective credit to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the MPA program coordinator.

Non-degree admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate public-administration course taken while holding a non-degree status will not be allowed to continue in the MPA program. Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the program coordinator after a period of one year from the date the student was removed. Non-degree admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to UNG as a transient student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses. Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

1. Graduate Studies Application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Letter of good standing or Transient Permission Form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at the student’s home institution. The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at UNG.
4. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the United States.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

1. UNG Certificate of Immunization. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to document any new immunization requirements since last attended. 

Transient admission is for one term only. Individuals who wish to return to UNG as a transient student for a subsequent term must reapply to UNG.

Appeal of Graduate Admission

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A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made in written form to the Master of Public Administration Program, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, Hansford Hall, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001. The letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal. Students whose appeal is accepted will be admitted provisionally and are not eligible for financial aid while enrolled with this status. Applicants may not appeal for regular admission.

Transfer Residency Requirement

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To be awarded a Master of Public Administration degree, students must earn a minimum of 27 hours of graduate degree requirements in residence. In addition, no more than nine hours of transfer credit may be applied toward meeting UNG’s Master of Public Administration degree requirements. The MPA program coordinator and the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters must approve all transfer credit. Transfer credit will not be given for any course in which a grade of less than a B was earned.

MPA Academic Policies

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Incomplete Grades

No student carrying two incomplete (“I”) marks, either of which has been extended over one semester, may enroll in additional course work without the written consent of the MPA program coordinator. No degree will be conferred on a student who has an unresolved incomplete grade remaining on his or her transcript.

Repeated Courses

No student enrolled in the MPA program and no non-degree student taking MPA courses may repeat courses for credit in an attempt to improve a grade.

Academic Standing Policy

MPA students who have been regularly admitted and whose academic performance is unsatisfactory will be subject to the following:

1. Probation – Student will be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
   a. Student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0.
   b. Student earns a U or any other grade below C.
   c. Student earns any third grade below a B (including U).
   
   No student may be a candidate for the degree or sit for the comprehensive examination while on probation due to a grade point average below a 3.0. Probation will be removed when the student’s grade point average reaches 3.0 or higher. Students who are on probation may not register until advised.

2. Suspension – Student will be placed on suspension for any of the following reasons:
   a. Student earns two grades below C (including U’s).
   b. Student has already served three consecutive terms on academic probation.
   
   The period of suspension will consist of one semester (Fall, Spring) or summer session. No student may enroll in graduate courses at UNG while on suspension. Courses taken at another institution during the period of suspension will not be recognized for transfer credit. If suspended, a student must reapply to Graduate Studies. Students seeking reinstatement in the MPA program must petition the MPA program coordinator in writing presenting a rationale for their reinstatement. They will be readmitted only upon approval of the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters and the MPA program coordinator.

Academic and Professional Integrity Policy

Students are expected to perform in accordance with the regulations stated in the Academics section of this catalog. All of the rules, regulations, and standards published in the “Regulations of the MPA Program” are incorporated by reference in this catalog. Each student is responsible for obtaining a copy of this document and for adhering to its contents.

At the end of each semester, the program faculty or MPA program coordinator may intervene to establish a plan of action for any student in the program whose competency is in question for reasons including unprofessional, disruptive, or unethical behavior in the classroom or applied setting. The plan should be signed by the student and the MPA program coordinator with copies forwarded to the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters.

Academic Integrity

The University of North Georgia recognizes honesty and integrity as being necessary to the academic functioning of the university. UNG graduate students are expected to uphold the university regulations addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, Article 3, Rule 2.

Professional Integrity

The Master of Public Administration program adheres to the university’s definition of professional integrity as described in the Academics section of the catalog.

MPA Degree Requirements

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Graduation requirements for the Master of Public Administration student include:

1. Completion of 27 designated semester hours of core courses.
2. Completion of nine semester hours of courses in one of the designated concentration areas.
3. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0, with no more than two courses with a grade of C.
4. Two years of documented professional experience or successful completion of the internship requirement.
5. Successful completion of the comprehensive written exam.
6. Completion of at least 27 semester hours of graduate degree requirements in residence with no more than nine semester hours of transfer credit.
7. Completion of all degree-related course requirements, including any transfer credits, within a six-year period.