Overview

Mission/Description | Goals/Curriculum | Admissions | Faculty | Accreditation/Application

MISSION

The Master of Arts in Rural Public Policy and Planning Program is a graduate program within the Mississippi Valley State University department of Social Sciences. The Program seeks to provide the Delta region, state, and the nation with the opportunity for graduate education in rural public policy and planning. In addition, the program provides continuing education opportunities for those individuals interested in, or currently serving in, various administrative capacities in government, private and nonprofit organizations; and those who desire to pursue doctoral studies.

DESCRIPTION

The Master of Arts in Rural Public Policy and Planning seeks to fulfill the need for graduate study in rural communities and small town governments like those in the Mississippi Delta and the broader Delta region. The Program provides opportunities for graduate education for those individuals interested in or currently serving in various administrative capacities in rural and small town governments, private and non-profit organizations. In addition, the program serves those who desire to pursue doctoral studies in public policy, planning, administration,management, and related fields. The program also appeals to non-traditional students seeking to expand their knowledge bases and problem solving approaches in addressing the myriad of problems in the everyday life of rural communities.

PROGRAM GOALS

The program goals are:

1. To prepare professional practitioners who demonstrate state-of-the-art knowledge and expertise in the formulation, implementation, evaluation, and analysis of rural public policies;
    
2. To prepare professional practitioners with the skill set for policy and program planning and evaluation for rural private, public, and nonprofit agencies; and
    
3. To prepare students for doctoral studies 

THE CURRICULUM

The MRPP curriculum consists of thirty-six (36) credit hours. The program’s core courses consist of twelve (12) credit hours whereby students are required to complete six (6) credit hours of research and statistics, six (6) credit hours of thesis or six (6) credit hours of practicum, twelve (12) credit hours in the area of specialization which includes three (3) credit hours of recommended electives.The program has three areas of specialization namely: rural health policy, nonprofit policy, and social and economic policy.  

ADMISSION

Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Rural Public Policy and Planning Program at Mississippi Valley State University must be admitted to the University and the degree program.

To be eligible for admission to graduate studies, the following requirements must be met:

1. An applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

2. An application must be filed with the Office of Admissions.

3. An official transcript of a conferred undergraduate degree and any transcripts the student is seeking credit for to the intended program of study must be on file in the Office of Student Records/University Registrar.

4. An applicant must satisfy a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

5. An applicant must submit three letters of recommendation from persons who are qualified to certify as to your abilities and character.

6. An applicant must a "Personal Statement" and a "General or Scholarly Writing Sample".

7. The graduate program applied for must formally accept the student for admission to the graduate program of study. The actual acceptance letter is forwarded by the Office of Admissions.

8. An immunization record must be submitted and/or on file.

Students who show academic promise but fail to meet the requirements based on the aforementioned indicators may be admitted on a provisional basis.  Students will be required to complete nine (9)hours toward the degree while on provisional status, and must earn a minimum of a “B” or above in each class.  After the provisional period, the faculty will review the student’s progress and determine if he or she should be allowed to continue.  Those students who are allowed to continue will then be unconditionally admitted to the program.

Admission of Undergraduates to Graduate Courses

Undergraduate Mississippi Valley State University students who have completed all required courses thus far and are within six hours of graduation may enroll in a maximum of six semester hours of graduate work. To be eligible to take graduate courses, undergraduate students must have a grade point average of at least 2.50 overall and in their major field. 

Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Students

Applicants not seeking an advanced degree from Mississippi Valley State University but wishing to take courses may register as a non-degree seeking student. Non-degree graduate students are permitted to take up to nine hours of graduate study. If a student later chooses to undertake a graduate degree, only nine semester hours taken as a non-degree student may be applied to a program.

A non-degree seeking student, who subsequently seeks full or restricted admission, must complete an application for admission to the University and be accepted based on the recommendation of the program. A non-degree student must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and must submit proof of immunization and an application indicating non-degree status. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid and letters of recommendations are not required.  

THE FACULTY

The Rural Public Policy and Planning Program faculty is diverse with specialties in the areas of Health Policy, Nonprofit Policy, and Social and Economic Policy.

ACCREDITATION

MVSU is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools(SACS). The program is compiling data that will be used to apply for the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) for accreditation eligibility review.

SUPPORTING FIELDS

The Master of Arts in Public Policy and Planning is an interdisciplinary program. The department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health and the Department of Business Education at Mississippi Valley State University provide courses in the specialty areas. 

 APPLICATION

For application materials or program-specific information, interested candidates should contact:

The Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment, (662) 254-3347 or Program Coordinator, Master of Arts in Rural Public Policy and Planning, (662) 254-3352/7.

For general information contact: MVSU Admissions and Recruitment Office, 662-254-3347.