Social Science Disciplines >> Public Administration

 

Important Information for New Graduate Students

 

Congratulations on your admission to the Department of Public Administration and the MPA Program. Please read the following instructions carefully.  There are several matters that you should address immediately, as well as others you will want to consider as your first day of class approaches.  Please also browse the University’s web site at www.syr.edu to familiarize yourself with offices and services available at Syracuse University.   Updated information specifically of use to admitted MPA students will also be available on the PA department web site from mid-February throughout the spring and summer, www.maxwell.syr.edu/pa.   

 

The following items should be taken care of as soon as possible:

  • RETURN THE INTENT TO REGISTER FORM (U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents only) -- This form should be used to indicate your decision (accept/decline) on our offer of admission.  You must return this form to officially confirm your decision.  It should be sent with your letter directly to the Department of Public Administration, 215 Eggers Hall, Syracuse, NY  13244 no later than April 15.  WE CANNOT GUARANTEE ANY ACCEPTED APPLICANT A PLACE IN THE INCOMING MPA CLASS IF YOU DO NOT RETURN THIS FORM WITH A LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT (AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS) BY APRIL 15.  Do not mail your decision letter to any other office on campus – only letters received in the PA Department at the above address will be honored. 

 

  • Make sure that you have obtained the immunizations required of all Syracuse University students (see below under health matters). 

 

  • Syracuse University must have an official degree-bearing transcript from your undergraduate and/or graduate institution when you matriculate.  If you are still completing your current undergraduate or graduate degree, you will need to request one from your current school once your degree is conferred.  You may bring this with you when you begin your studies in July.

 

  • If you are a US citizen, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. (see attached flyer for important information on filing the FAFSA). 

 

CORRECTING SEMESTER OF ENROLLMENT & REQUESTS FOR DEFERRALS

Your Intent to Register Form should have the correct semester/year for your enrollment. If it is incorrect, please change this on the form and return it.  All MPA students must matriculate in the summer term, unless you are participating in our concurrent program at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University. 

 

The Department of Public Administration is happy to consider requests for deferral of entrance into the MPA program for one year.  You must submit this request in writing to the Associate Director, Christine Omolino.  In order to be eligible for a deferral, you must first “Accept” our offer of admission, then “Defer” your entrance for one year.  You should file your Intent to Register form as an “Accept” for the upcoming summer term and include a letter asking for deferral for one year.  Once your deferral is approved we will change your matriculation date with the Graduate School. 

 

HEALTH MATTERS

A Health Record will be sent to you with your entrance packet in early May.  This form must be completed and returned before June 15th.  Students born after January 1, 1957 must submit documentation of the following immunizations administered after 12 months of age:

                2 doses of measles vaccine;

                1 dose of mumps vaccine; and

                1 dose of rubella vaccine. 

 

Other medical records must also be provided. Students not providing this information by the middle of their first month on campus face suspension from the University. 

 

There is a mandatory Health Services Fee for all full-time, matriculated graduate students.  This will be billed in the fall and spring semesters only.  Payment of the fee entitles students to health services in the clinics of Syracuse University Health Center.  The cost of support services such as x-rays, selected procedures, medications, and hospital supplies are in addition to the health fee, although often at a reduced cost to students.  Part-time students may opt to pay the health fee for the same coverage, or pay per office visit.  Graduate students who hold assistantships, fellowships or tuition scholarships of at least 12 credits per semester receive a health fee remission. 

 

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that students carry health insurance to cover expenses not covered by the health fee and medical expenses incurred outside the health center, such as emergency room care, hospitalization, eye care and dental services.  University policy requires that all International students have health insurance while on campus.  Information on health insurance programs/costs will be sent directly by the Health Services Center to all matriculating students later this Spring. For more information on programs and costs (08-09) costs will not be available until late spring), please contact Ms. Linda Deon at lldeon@syr.edu.

   

University Fellows and Graduate Assistants are eligible to participate in the University’s Group Health Care Plan.  Coverage details and premium rates may be obtained at the Office of Human Resources; Employee Benefits; Skytop Office Building; Syracuse University; Syracuse, NY  13244; (315) 443-1873. 

 

HOUSING

Graduate students may obtain information about and an application for housing from the Office of Housing, Meal Plans and ID Cards Services, 202 Steele Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244; (315) 443-2721; http://housingmealplans.syr.edu/  In order to be included on the housing list, a student must submit the application and advanced housing payment to the Office of Bursar Operations. 

 

Housing at Syracuse University’s South Campus is available to new and returning graduate students.  As often as possible graduate students are housed with (or near) other graduate students.  South Campus is located approximately 2 miles from the main campus and free bus service is available to and from the center of campus.  Parking and recreational facilities are provided.  Housing options here include Skytop Apartments, which are completely furnished two-and three-bedroom apartments.

 

Current students highly recommend private off-campus housing that is available in the residential neighborhoods surrounding the campus. A list of recommended housing is available at our website:  http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/pa/housing.asp  The Department of Public Administration will be mailing further information on housing options (on and off-campus) to all entering students in early May.  Please call the PA Office if you are renting a place off campus without visiting it in person. We will be glad to tell you about the area of town and if we have any information (from prior students) about landlords or leasing companies (315) 443-4000.   

 

TUITION PAYMENT POLICIES

Expenses for the 2008-2009 MPA program can be found at www.maxwell,syr.edu/pa/ under Admissions and Financial Aid.  Please note that these figures are estimates.  They are based upon the estimated cost of attendance calculated by the Office of Financial Aid each year.  Actual expenses will vary widely for individual students, depending on how many credits they take and on their living habits. 

    

Payment for all charges assessed by the University is due 30 days from the first day of classes for the fall and spring semesters.  Summer session tuition is due at time of registration.  Students using federal student loans for their tuition payment may defer summer payment until loan funds are disbursed so long as your loan is in progress and this can be verified by the University (this is why the FAFSA is so important to file!).  Summer Federal Student Loan Applications will be automatically mailed to students (US Citizens), by the Office of Financial Aid and will also be included in the May mailing.        

Further information on Syracuse University’s payment policies can be found in the booklet, Tuition, Fees and Related Policies, which is available from Bursar Operations; 102 Archbold Gymnasium; Syracuse University; Syracuse, NY 13244; (315) 443-2444. 

 

For information on Graduate Student Financial Aid (not department nor university awards), please contact Cynthia Roach in the financial aid office at finmail@syr.edu and identify yourself as an incoming Master of Public Administration Graduate Student.  The Department of Public Administration is the best point of contact for any questions regarding University Fellowships, Assistantships, Scholarships and Cash Awards, however these decisions will not be made until early/mid March and all students will be notified if they will (or will not) be granted a departmental financial award at this time. 

 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students are only admitted to Syracuse University by authority of the Graduate School upon recommendation by each department.  The Graduate School will alert all International applicants of their admission (and perhaps the conditions that must be met by the applicant in order to comply with University and/or US Federal policies).  Once an official offer of admission is made by the Graduate School (without conditions), the Office of International Services will process and send all necessary documents for obtaining a student visa.  For further information relating to visa arrangements and international student life at Syracuse University please contact the Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services, 310 Walnut Place; Syracuse University; Syracuse, NY  13244.  phone/(315) 443-2457, telex/937430, fax/(315) 443-3091; http://international.syr.edu/ or via email at lescis@syr.edu

This page current as of: January 18, 2008