Academic Advising for Enrolled Students
MPPA & MPA career and academic advising supports current master's students and will help you navigate degree requirements, career advising, course offerings, and registration.
MPPA & MPA Academic Advisors
If you are a current MPPA or MPA student and have any questions about your degree, or need academic or career advising, please contact:
Marcie Muehlke, Associate Director of Graduate Student Services, or schedule an advising appointment.
Emily White, Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services, or schedule an advising appointment.
Office hours: There are no office hours summer break. Please make an appointment using the links above.
Suggested Timeline & Program Requirements Documents
Master of Public Policy & Administration (MPPA)
- MPPA - Program Requirements (or download here)
- MPPA - Suggested Timeline (or download here)
- A minimum grade of B- is required for any class being used toward the degree.
Master of Public Affairs (MPA)
- MPA - Program Requirements (or download here)
- MPA - Suggested Timeline for Accelerated 4+1 Students (or download here)
- MPA - Suggested Timeline for 1-Year Students (or download here)
- A minimum grade of B- is required for any class being used toward the degree
Departmental Documents & Links
- Elective class distribution areas list (methods, management, policy)
- 4+1 undergraduate students - grad course enrollment form
- The MPPA & MPA librarian is Lisa Di Valentino. Policy Library page here. Policy library resources video here.
Submit these forms to GPD Thad Miller for approval:
- Core Course Waiver form
- Distribution Area Elective Course Waiver
- Graduate Student Travel Grant Application
- Independent Study Proposal
Internship Forms & Documents
Contact Marcie Muehlke or Emily White with questions.
Please submit following forms through the Internship Document Portal
- Internship Contract - student and supervisor complete, sign, and submit above
- Internship Waiver Request Form (PDF)
- Internship Funding Application for Unpaid or Low-Paying MPPA & MPA internships (download a copy)
Evaluation forms to be used at the end of the internship
- Internship Evaluation – Intern (webform)
- Internship Evaluation – Supervisor (webform)
Campus Resources
- Graduate School Forms for Students
- UMass Calendars: UMass Calendar, Graduate Student Calendar, U+ (online class) Calendar
- UMass Library’s Policy Research Resources
Graduation Information
UMass graduation terms are May, September and February.
Find graduate school graduation paperwork deadlines here (degree eligibility form deadlines to the department and graduate school). Email Marcie or Emily with questions.
The next graduation windows (for degrees and certificates) are September 2025, February 2026, and May 2026.
September 2025 graduates - please contact Marcie or Emily if you haven't already.
The next UMass Commencement is May 2026.