FAQs for EMPA Students

• Application
• Athletics
• Professional and Student Associations
• Program, Curriculum, Etc.
• Registration and Course Navigation
• Textbooks and Materials
• Transportation
• Tuition
• University Resources (Library, Health, Career Services)

What materials do I need to submit to apply for the EMPA program?

• Application
• Resume
• Fee of $65 Payable to Rutgers University
• Official Transcripts for Colleges and Universities Attended
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement Consisting of Two to Three Pages Explaining Why You are Pursuing an EMPA degree

No.

What are the application deadlines for the Newark and the Trenton EMPA programs?

Both the Newark and the Trenton EMPA programs start once a year – the Newark program in June and the Trenton program in January. The application deadline for the Newark program is April 1st and for the Trenton program, November 15th.

How do I transfer credits from previous Master's level courses?

The EMPA program may allow students to transfer credits for graduate work done previously under a formal graduate degree program at an accredited institution. The program may also grant credit for Advanced Standing for work experience at the professional level. There is a 12-credit limit, however, on the total number of credits a student can receive through a combination of prior graduate course work and professional experience. Similarly, no more than 12 credits may be awarded for either transfer credits or professional experience alone. Students must enroll in a minimum of 10 courses or 30 credits for their EMPA degree. Students wishing to apply for professional Advance Standing credit must prepare a document of credentials for review and recommendation by the EMPA Director, Dr. Robert Shick.

What is the address, hours and contact information of the Admissions Office?

newarkadmissions@ugadm.rutgers.edu
973-353-5093

Office hours:
9am to 4:30pm

How can I check my admission status?

All applicants may check their status online within 24 hours, if they completed their application before 4pm EST. In some instances, such as weekends or national holidays, it may take up to 96 hours for your online status to be available. In order to check the status, you need RU ID. If you take Master’s course as RU student, then you might already have your own RU ID. If not, RUID will be sent to you in a separate e-mail. In most cases, this number will be sent to you within 48 hours of application, but an additional 48 hours may be required on weekends or national holidays. Using RUID, you can check your status at the following site: http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/statusnotes.shtml

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Is the Fitness Center open to all students?

Yes, you can use it for free with your student ID. We have the Golden Dorme Athletic Center, across from Parking Deck 1.You can use the fitness center, play sports including tennis, volleyball, basketball, and also take a swim. On entering the center, swipe your student ID and go to the downstairs, then you can find the Gym. You can check the operation hours at http://www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com/sports/2007/12/13/rec.aspx

The primary professional association in Public Administration is the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), you can take advantage of great membership rates for students. Please refer to http://www.aspanet.org/ for further information.

There is PAGA, Public Administration Graduate Association. All students are members of PAGA. PAGA meets four times each semester, one evening per month. From this association, you can meet other students from other school and make new friends.

How is the EMPA program different from the regular MPA program?

The EMPA program is tailored to those who have at least five years of work experience and understand the basic dynamics of the public and/or the nonprofit sectors. A limited number of people with at least five years work experience in the private sector also can apply to the program. The EMPA program offers an atmosphere where students can learn and relate their work experience to course material. The EMPA program also uses a cohort model, where students take all of their classes together.

The MPA program is geared to those who are pursuing a Master's degree directly from undergraduate school or have less than five years of work experience. The MPA program has students with a broad variety of backgrounds who want to enter a career or continue their careers in the public and/or nonprofit sector.

What is the Capstone course?

The Capstone course is a degree requirement, and is a semester long applied research project, which is completed in teams of two or three people.

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In order to use the computing service at campus, register for courses, log in blackboard, etc, you need a computer account. Please click http://help.newark.rutgers.edu/acctmgmt.htm to set up your account.

Where can I get the course schedule?

From http://soc.ess.rutgers.edu/soc, you can get the course schedule while setting the campus location as Newark, level of study as graduate and exact term.

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is the online course management system at Rutgers-Newark. To access, you will need your NetID and password. Your professors will tell you if they will be using Blackboard for your particle course such as posting documents or assignments.
https://blackboard.newark.rutgers.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

How can I check my grade?

Using your RUID, you can check your grade from
https://www.acs.rutgers.edu/grades

What is digital drop-box?

It is a tool in blackboard. When you access to the blackboard, then you will find the links for each courses you are taking. After clicking the course, then you can find the digital drop-box from the tool section. Using this, you can submit your assignments to your professor.

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Textbooks and materials are purchased for students by SPAA, and are included in the fees that are paid by each student. Students will be informed when books are available for all classes.

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You can use various ways to go to campus. First of all, you can use the bus. Using the campus shuttle, you can go to Newark Penn Station. You can buy the monthly pass which cost you $65 per month without regards to the distance you are going to travel. With Rutgers student ID, you can get 25% discount. You can order this online at
http://nwkparking.rutgers.edu/njTransitDiscount.html.

Also you can use the light rail which stops at The Washington Street and train. All the information for the public transportation you can get from
http://www.newark.rutgers.edu/masstransit/ In addition, our school operates several shuttle services to provide transportation to the Rutgers Community. You can take this shuttle in front of Boyden hall. It is possible to check the schedule at
http://nwkpolice.rutgers.edu/RUPD_ShuttleService.html

How do I get to the Rutgers - Newark campus, and where do I park?

Directions and maps are available at http://www.newark.rutgers.edu. Visitors are urged to use public transportation, which is very convenient. Those who must drive may find it difficult to park on the street, but many parking facilities are available. The nearest ones:

• Rutgers Parking Deck I, on University Avenue a few steps away from the Rutgers Business School, offers visitor parking for a fee of about $5.00. Though very convenient, this facility fills up quickly when classes are in session.

• The parking lot at the Newark Museum, on Central Avenue between University and Washington Street (enter from Washington), a block from the Rutgers Business School, tends to have space except when the museum hosts a large function. You may park up to 5 hours for about $6.00.

• The Edison Corporation has lots at Central and Washington (enter from Central; about $6.00 for one hour, about $9.50 all day) and at University and Raymond Boulevard (enter from University; about $7.00 for one hour, about $12.50 all day). These tend to be full at mid-day.

• The L.A. Parking Corporation almost always has spaces available in its garage at University and Raymond (enter from University; about $6.50 for one hour, about $11 all day).

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What is the cost of tuition?

Tuition information is available at:
http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/funding.shtml
Tuition changes each academic year before the fall semester.

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Where can I get help to improve academic writing skill?

The Writing Center at Rutgers-Newark offers tutoring and workshops for currently enrolled students, and help them become more independent readers and writers capable of responding well to the demands of academic writing. Please refer to http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~nwc/ for detail information.

Where can I find out information about job listing and career fairs?

Career Development Center at Rutgers-Newark will provide services such as resume review, interview prep and professional career counseling, etc. It hosts several career fairs every semester as well. Please refer to http://cdc.newark.rutgers.edu/CDCRUN09/CDC_Home.html for more information.

Where can I get health service?

The Rutgers–Newark Campus offers a health service facility located in room 104 of Blumenthal Hall. Board Certified doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacist, health educator and others are on staff to help you stay healthy. Many kinds of health services are available including psychological service. Please refer to http://health.newark.rutgers.edu/index.htm for more information. Services, including health insurance coverage are available to all full-time students who paid the health fee with tuition. Part-time students may join for a reasonable per semester fee.