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Detailed Information

Programs of Study

The School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy offers three graduate degree programs: a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), a Master of Arts (M.A.) in urban affairs and public policy, and a Ph.D. in urban affairs and public policy.

The M.P.A. is a 42-credit, two-year professional degree program that prepares students for leadership positions in public affairs. The M.P.A. program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Students can specialize in five areas: state and local management, community development and nonprofit leadership, organizational leadership, health policy and management, and financial management.

The M.A. and Ph.D. in urban affairs and public policy programs are ranked among the top nine programs in the United States. The M.A. is a 36-credit degree program designed for students who are interested in pursuing policy analysis and planning–related careers. The program extends over two years and may include a thesis, an analytical paper, or an internship. M.A. students may specialize in such areas as community development and nonprofit leadership; energy, environment, and equity; historic preservation; and urban and regional planning. The Ph.D. is a research-oriented interdisciplinary degree intended for students who have completed master’s-level work in urban affairs and public policy or other related social science fields. First-year doctoral seminars are followed by study in a specialization that leads to the preparation of the dissertation proposal. Most students conduct dissertation research in the areas of technology, environment, and society; governance planning and management; social and urban policy; public administration; and urban affairs. All doctoral students collaborate with faculty and staff members on regional, national, and international research on critical urban and policy issues.

The School offers a nationally recognized internship program that places students in paid professional positions in international, national, state, and local government. All students in the School are eligible; the internship is a requirement for preservice M.P.A. students.

Research Facilities

The School is centrally located in its own building, with its own classrooms, student offices, and computer/GIS facilities. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy is the integration of theory and practice through applied research projects with the affiliated research and public service centers. Most full-time students are awarded research assistantships on projects in these centers.

The Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research provides demographic and survey data and information on important public issues to researchers and policy makers at all levels (http://www.cadsr.udel.edu). The Center for Community Research and Service helps public, nonprofit, and private organizations in Delaware to design, implement, and evaluate policies and programs that address the needs of low- and moderate-income families and communities related to economic development, housing, and social services. The center also focuses on issues that are vital to the physical and emotional well-being of the world’s population. These questions concern the delivery and financing of health care and the outcomes of health care provided (http://www.udel.edu/CCRS). The Center for Energy and Environmental Policy conducts interdisciplinary research in the areas of sustainable development, technology and society, and the political economy of energy systems and provides technical assistance to community, government, and nonprofit organizations (http://www.udel.edu/ceep/). The Center for Historic Architecture and Design focuses on shaping historic preservation planning and policy, reconstructing historic landscapes, documenting threatened historic properties, and advocating for the preservation of historic resources (http://www.udel.edu/CHAD). The Institute for Public Administration links the resources of the University of Delaware (UD) with the management and policy information needs of public and nonprofit organizations (http://www.ipa.udel.edu).

Financial Aid

The School has competitive financial aid programs, including fellowships, research assistantships, and scholarships. Aid is awarded on the basis of merit and is limited by the various restrictions established by the sources of aid. Stipends for 2009–10 were $15,200 for the full academic year. Additional special assistantships, fellowships, and internships are available to students through the University Graduate Scholar’s Program, for both newly admitted and graduate students currently enrolled. Awards are competitive and are based on many criteria, including challenging social, economic, educational, cultural, or other life circumstances; academic achievements; first generation graduate student status; and/or need as determined by federal income guidelines (FAFSA). Funds are also available through the Delaware Legislative Fellows Program.

Cost of Study

In 2009–10, tuition for full-time graduate students is $22,240 per academic year. Part-time students are charged on a per-credit basis. (The 2009–10 rate is $1236 per credit.) Full-time matriculated students are automatically assessed nonrefundable fees of $484 for health and $228 for student-sponsored activities.

Living and Housing Costs

The University provides some graduate apartments, and there is plenty of off-campus housing in the surrounding community in many price ranges. For more information, students should contact the Housing Assignment Services Office (302-831-2491; http://www.udel.edu/has).

Student Group

The School has 71 students in the M.P.A. program, 56 in the M.A. program, and 45 in the Ph.D. program.

Student Outcomes

Graduates find career positions in government and nonprofit organizations and occasionally in the private sector with consulting firms. With UD’s proximity to Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; and New York, many graduates pursue positions in nearby metropolitan areas, as well as positions in state and local government in the region and in the nation. Several recent graduates have been successful in the highly competitive federal Presidential Management Fellowship Program.

Location

Located midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore, the main campus of the University of Delaware is in Newark, conveniently near New York City; Washington, D.C.; and the seashore. A community of 30,000, with a vibrant Main Street of coffeehouses, restaurants, and small shops, Newark is about 14 miles from Wilmington, Delaware’s largest city.

The University

The University is a comprehensive land-, sea-, space-, and urban-grant institution of higher education with an enrollment of 3,448 graduate students in 2008–09. The University offers seventy-nine programs leading to a master’s degree and thirty-nine programs leading to a doctoral degree. In 2008, the University awarded 208 doctoral degrees and 695 master’s degrees.

Applying

The School welcomes informal inquiries. Students seeking financial aid or admission to the Ph.D. program should apply by February 1. For the master’s programs, candidates must have an undergraduate GPA above 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Admission to the Ph.D. program requires a master’s degree with at least a 3.5 GPA. A combined GRE score above 1000 on the math and verbal portions of the exam is normally expected. Complete applications contain three letters of recommendation, a personal statement of academic and career objectives (for the Ph.D., a 1,000-word statement of the applicant’s research interest as well), and academic transcripts. For nonnative speakers of English, a demonstrated proficiency in English is required, with a TOEFL score of at least 550 (213 on the computer-based test).

The Faculty and Their Research

• At the core of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy are the dedicated faculty members, who are challenging teachers, seasoned researchers, and experienced practitioners. With interdisciplinary backgrounds as skilled executives, managers, and community leaders, they bring practical experience to the classroom and successfully blend a solid academic base with stimulating practical experience.
• David L. Ames, Professor and Director, Center for Historic Architecture and Design; Ph.D., Clark, 1969; ACIP. Historic preservation, urban geography, urban and regional planning.
• Maria P. Aristigueta, Professor; Director, School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy; and Senior Policy Fellow, Institute for Public Administration; D.P.A., USC, 1997. Administrative behavior, performance management, policy analysis, strategic management.
• Deborah A. Auger, Associate Professor and Policy Fellow, Center for Community Research and Service; Ph.D., MIT, 1988. Public policy and administration, nonprofit management, state and local government, U.S. social policy.
• John M. Byrne, Professor and Director, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy; Ph.D., Delaware, 1980. Technology and environment, environmental justice, political economy, sustainable development.
• Karen A. Curtis, Associate Professor and Policy Scientist, Center for Community Research and Service; Ph.D., Temple, 1984. Nonprofit leadership and management, applied research and public policy analysis, qualitative methods, social and economic opportunity.
• Kathryn G. Denhardt, Professor and Policy Scientist, Center for Community Research and Service; Ph.D., Kansas, 1984. Collaborative decision making and conflict resolution, human resources management, ethics in public service.
• Robert B. Denhardt, Visiting Scholar; Ph.D., Kentucky, 1968. Public sector management, strategic planning and public productivity.
• Bernard L. Dworsky, Assistant Professor and Policy Scientist, Institute for Public Administration; M.A., Delaware, 1971. Water resources management, planning.
• James P. Flynn, Assistant Professor; Director, M.P.A. Program; and Associate Policy Scientist, Institute for Public Administration; Ed.D., Delaware, 1998. Personnel administration, quality improvement initiatives, educational governance, legislative management, professional development, human resources management.
• Edward J. Freel, Instructor and Policy Scientist, Institute for Public Administration; M.Ed., Delaware, 1975. Civic education, learning initiatives, public administration.
• Audrey L. Helfman, Associate Professor and Interim Director, Leadership Program; Ph.D., Delaware, 1993. Personnel administration, organizational theory, legislative management, public fiscal analysis, data systems, analytic methods.
• Raheemah Jabbar-Bey, Assistant Professor and Assistant Policy Specialist, Center for Community Research and Service; M.A., New Hampshire, 1996. Community and economic development planning, organizational capacity building of nonprofits, urban policy analysis.
• Eric D. Jacobson, Associate Professor and Assistant Director, Institute for Public Administration; M.P.A., Delaware, 1981. Public economics, health policy, employee compensation and benefits, tourism development and research, analytical methods.
• Janet B. Johnson, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations and Senior Research Associate, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy; Ph.D., Cornell, 1978. Subnational politics, environmental policy, research methods, public policy analysis.
• Jonathan Justice, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Rutgers, 2003. Public financial management, nongovernmental public administration, urban policy and administration.
• Gerald Kauffman, Instructor and Director, Water Resources Agency; M.P.A., Delaware, 2003. Watershed policy, planning, and management; water resources government and finance; water resources engineering; hydrology and hydraulics.
• Jerome R. Lewis, Associate Professor and Director, Institute for Public Administration; Ph.D., NYU, 1968. Public administration, personnel management, urban planning, political leadership.
• John G. McNutt, Professor and Policy Fellow, Center for Community Research and Service; Ph.D., Tennessee, 1991. Technology, nonprofit management, advocacy and government relations, community organization and planning.
• Anthony E. Middlebrooks, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Wisconsin, 1999. Leadership formation and development, creativity and leadership, service and social justice, research methods.
• James L. Morrison, Professor; Ed.D., Temple, 1971. Telecommunications and consumer policy, consumer environmental issues, consumer protection.
• Audrey J. Noble, Assistant Professor and Director, Public Policy Program; Ph.D., Arizona State, 1994. Qualitative research and evaluation.
• Edward J. O’Donnell, Instructor and Senior Policy Advisor, Institute for Public Administration; M.Ed., West Chester, 1975. Growth management, transportation/infrastructure planning, comprehensive planning.
• Marian Lief Palley, Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations; Ph.D., NYU, 1966. American politics and public policy, intergovernmental relations, health and welfare policy.
• Steven W. Peuquet, Associate Professor and Director, Center for Community Research and Service; Ph.D., Pennsylvania, 1996. Strategic planning, housing, homelessness, electronic community networks, public policy analysis and evaluation.
• Jeffrey A. Raffel, Charles P. Messick Professor of Public Administration and Faculty Associate, Institute for Public Administration; Ph.D., MIT, 1972. Educational policy, policy analysis, urban management.
• Edward C. Ratledge, Associate Professor and Director, Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research; M.A., Delaware, 1972. Management information systems, econometrics, criminal justice systems.
• Daniel Rich, Professor; Ph.D., MIT, 1972. Public policy and public management.
• Breck Robinson, Associate Professor and Associate Professor, Institute for Public Administration; Ph.D., Tennessee, 1994. Financial institutions, public policy, real estate finance.
• Rebecca Sheppard, Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Center of Historic Architecture and Design; Ph.D. Delaware, 2009. Historic preservation planning, history of rural landscapes and the built environment, landscape preservation.
• Paul L. Solano, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Maryland, 1978. Financial administration and public finance, political economy, health economics.
• Karen F. Stein, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Delaware, 1984. Domestic elder abuse and neglect, leadership studies, consumer and family economic policy analysis.
• Richard T. Sylves, Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, and Fellow, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy; Ph.D., Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1977. Energy policy, disaster policy.
• Douglas F. Tuttle, Instructor; Internship Coordinator; and Policy Scientist, Institute for Public Administration; M.P.A., Delaware, 1990. State and local government personnel development, strategic planning, emergency service planning and public service quality assessment.
• Young-Doo Wang, Professor and Associate Director, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy; Ph.D., Delaware, 1980. Energy and water conservation policy, economic analysis of alternative energy options, econometric applications.
• Leland Ware, Louis L. Redding Chair for the Study of Law and Public Policy; J.D., Boston College, 1973. Employment discrimination law, civil rights law, civil procedure.
• Robert Warren, Professor and Senior Research Associate, Institute for Public Administration; Ph.D., UCLA, 1964. Urban and regional government, telecommunications policy, urban planning and development, cultural theory.
• Margaret G. Wilder, Professor; Ph.D., Michigan, 1983. Community development policy and organizations; economic development policy and planning; housing problems and policy; race, gender, and economic mobility.
• Devona E. G. Williams, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Delaware, 1992. Entrepreneurship, small business growth and development, women in leadership, community development.
• Danilo Yanich, Associate Professor; Director, Urban Affairs and Public Policy Program; and Associate Policy Scientist, Center for Community Research and Service; Ph.D., Delaware, 1980. Criminal justice policy, media and public policy, international comparative governance.

Correspondence and Information

University of Delaware
School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy Admissions
Newark, Delaware 19716-7310
Telephone: 302-831-1687
Fax: 302-831-3296
Email: suapp@udel.edu