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University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
225 HHH Center
301 19th Avenue, South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455


Program Link:
http://www.hhh.umn.edu
Director,
Program in Science and Technology Policy
c/o Admissions Office Phone: (612) 626-7229 admissions@hhh.umn.edu               







  • Background

    The Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs is a college within one of the nation's great public research universities. Students have access to a wide variety of courses and programs, including those of the Institute of Technology, the College of Biological Sciences, and the Department of Applied Economics. The Institute sponsors several related research centers and outreach programs as well as four graduate degree programs and several joint degrees. It offers multi-faceted opportunities for students to work with faculty and fellows who have international reputations as scholars, researchers, and professional practitioners. The Institute was established in 1977 as a tribute to Vice President and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey. As the direct descendant of the University's pioneering Public Administration Center (1936-68) and distinguished School of Public Affairs (1968-77), the Humphrey Institute represents over half a century of community service and academic achievement.

    Graduate Degrees Offered

    Students may focus on science, technology or environmental policy in each of four master's degrees. The Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (M.S.) program educates students on the role of science and technology in the economy, in food production and health, in energy and the environment, in security policy and in education. Students also study the impact of science and technology on the political and economic relationships among nations. M.S. students are trained in the analysis and design of policies for appropriate promotion and regulation of science and technology regionally, nationally and internationally. In addition, the Institute offers: Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.): an in-depth education in public management and policy analysis techniques which can be applied in a number of fields, including science, technology and environmental policy; Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P.): an interdisciplinary degree preparing students to analyze, forecast, design and implement plans for regions, communities and neighborhoods - M.U.R.P. students may select a concentration in environmental and ecological planning; Executive Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.): a degree designed for the mid-career professional who wishes to develop advanced skills in public leadership and management, with an emphasis on systemic approaches to policy issues and proposals. Each student's program is individually tailored to his or her professional development needs.

    Admissions Requirements

    Admission to the M.S., M.P.P., and M.U.R.P. programs is based on each applicant's prior scholastic achievement, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. The GRE General Test is required, and TOEFL scores are required of students whose first language is not English. M.S. students typically have undergraduate degrees or advanced course work in one of the natural or engineering sciences. Admission to the M.P.A. requires evidence of prior scholastic achievement and leadership ability and ten or more years of career experience. The TOEFL is also required of students who are not native English speakers. The GRE is not usually required for the M.P.A. Applications for all degree programs are especially encouraged from women and from members of minority groups.Priority deadline for fall admission and academic merit-based financial aid is January 15. For people not applying for Humphrey Institute academic-based financial aid the application deadline is April 1. Later applications are reviewed on a space-available basis. Applications for the M.P.A. , however, are reviewed throughout the year.

    Degree Requirements

    The Master of Science program requires a total of 40 credits. Within this total, students must complete 21 credits of required courses including Science and State, Science and Technology Policy, Economics of Environment and Natural Resource Policy, and Energy and Environmental Policy. Six additional credits can be used to complement a student's previous training: appropriate courses in science or its history or philosophy for those with social science backgrounds; appropriate courses in the social sciences for those with natural science backgrounds. Students may elect either a Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis) program. For those electing to pursue a Plan A program, the master's thesis will be awarded ten credits and students will have to complete a minimum of three additional credits. For those pursuing a Plan B program, 13 credits of additional electives must be chosen in consultation with the student's academic adviser.

    The M.P.P. and M.U.R.P. degrees require a minimum of 45 and 48 semester credits and can be completed in two academic years of full time study. M.P.P. students take 21 credits of core courses (including economic analysis, empirical analysis, politics and management) a nine credit concentration, a capstone workshop or seminar in which a major paper or project is completed, and an internship of 400 hours usually occurring between the first and second year of study. Students in the M.U.R.P. program complete most of the just-mentioned core courses, an additional required planning curriculum of 16.5 credits, a planning-related concentration of nine credits, an internship of 400 hours, and a capstone workshop or seminar.The Executive M.P.A. degree can be completed in one year of full time study. The curriculum includes three required courses constituting 12 semester credits (Leadership for the Common Good, a synthesis seminar and a synthesis workshop) six credits of skill courses, nine credits in a selected focus area, and electives.

    Student Information

    Entering classes approximate 70 M.P.P. students, 25 for M.U.R.P., 5 for the M.S., and 40 Executive M.P.A. students. Small classes foster a sense of intimacy and individualism here. Yet there is access to unlimited resources of the larger, research University (approximately 50,000 students).

    Faculty Information

    Key faculty for M.S. program:

    Professor Sandra O. Archibald received her doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of California at Davis. She researches the social costs of technology and the design of effective environmental policy. Professor Archibald also holds an appointment in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

    Professor Kenneth H. Keller, Charles M. Denny, Jr. Professor, received his doctorate in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. His research examines domestic policy issues associated with developments in high technology medicine. He also studies the intersection of science and technology with international politics and economics. Professor Keller holds an appointment in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science as well.

    Check our web site at www.hhh.umn.edu.edu for further information on these and other members of the Humphrey Institute's faculty.

    Positions for Graduates

    First jobs for the graduating class of 1997 (public policy, planning, science & technology degrees) entering class of 1995):

  • Federal Government 13%
  • State Governments 16%
  • Local Governments 13%
  • Nonprofit Organizations 25%
  • Private Companies 24%
  • Academic Institutions 9%
  • Financial Information

    Tuition for the M.P.P., M.U.R.P., and M.S. programs is $484.25 per credit for Minnesota residents and $848.50 per credit for nonresidents. For those students taking 6-15 credits, the cost is $2,904.75 per semester for residents and $5,091.00 per semester for nonresidents. Tuition for the M.P.A. program is $440 per credit for residents and $770 per credit for nonresidents. There is no tuition banding for the M.P.A. program. Residents of North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Manitoba may be eligible for resident tuition rates if they apply to their Higher Education Coordinating Board prior to enrollment each academic year.

    The Institute allocates financial aid primarily on the basis of academic merit. Sources of aid include Hubert H. Humphrey fellowships and scholarships, University of Minnesota Graduate School fellowships, fellowships and scholarships for minority group members, and teaching and research assistantships. Amounts range from $4200 to $20,000 per year.

    Other Information

    Our urban setting is conducive to remarkably productive internships and careers with local, county, and regional governments and organizations. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and surrounding area, with a population of roughly 2.3 one million, is a thriving economy strong in social, political, and business innovation and known for its high quality of life, including cultural, and recreational opportunities. Check the following web sites for more information on the Twin Cities: http://www.minneapolis.org/ and http://www.stpaulcvb.org/.

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    file last updated October 20, 2000