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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Students are encouraged to participate in internship activities while enrolled in the MPA program. The department assists students in locating internship opportunities but students may discover internship opportunities on their own. In all cases, departmental approval must be obtained before the internship begins. The MPA director should be contacted regarding departmental procedures for approving internships. Generally, students should complete 12 credits before considering an internship. All students receive information about internships received from outside sources. The information is sent to students’ Rutgers email account.

What is the Capstone?

The Capstone is a degree requirement. Students must complete a Capstone paper or take the MPA comprehensive examination. It is taken as an advanced standing elective worth 3 credits. By taking the course, Research Design, students who are writing a paper as their capstone requirement can prepare the proposal for that paper.

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The program may grant credit for past or present public service at the professional level. In addition, the MPA program may allow students to transfer credits for graduate work done previously under a formal graduate degree program at an accredited institution. 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.

In addition, previously earned graduate credits (taken within the past six years) that are pertinent to the MPA requirements may be transferred. The limit on the combination of transfer and professional credit is 12 credits.

Students wishing to apply for professional credit must prepare a document of credentials for review and recommendation by the MPA director, Dr. Judith Kirchhoff.

What is the procedure for transfer of credits?

You need an official transcript from any previous program(s) and permission of the MPA program director as to where the credits may be applied to the within your MPA at Rutgers SPAA.

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Tuition information is available at:
http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/funding.shtml

Tuition changes each academic year before the fall semester.

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Students can register for courses by using the Web Registration System (WEBREG) on Registrar’s website https://sims.rutgers.edu/webreg/. Pre-registration for the Spring semester takes place in the later part of October. Pre-registration for Fall semester takes place in the later part of March.

How can I create a computer account?

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

Where can I get the course schedule?

Visit the Online Rutgers Schedule of Classes at: http://soc.ess.rutgers.edu/soc

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

How can I check my grades?

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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There are two large libraries on the Newark campus: DANA library, which is located at 185 University Avenue, and Law School Library which is located right in front of our SPAA building. From the DANA library, you can borrow the books and periodicals. Using the following searching tool online, http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/searchcatalogs.shtml, you can check the status of the books. If it has the books, then you can see the link of those books, and then click the icon named, ‘detail’, and then you can ask ‘Book Delivery’. For this process, you need to ask the librarian to set your user ID and password. You can find your own user ID on the back of your student ID, right below the barcode. You first need to register your library barcode and get a library PIN. For this, visit the circulation desk of any Rutgers library. Also, when you request the book online, it will take several days for you to get them. The library will email you to inform you when you need to pick them up. Even though the library doesn’t have the books you need, you can borrow them from other libraries with which Rutgers has a contract, using E-Z Borrowing at http://palci.library.pitt.edu/~ursa/RUL_login.html

Where can I get help to improve academic writing skills?

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 information.

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

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

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The primary professional association in Public Administration is 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.

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Are there residential facilities on campus?

Rutgers-Newark has three Residence Halls including University Square, Talbott Apartments, and Woodward Hall. Graduate students live on floors 12 and 13 of University Square.

University Square is the newest resident hall, built in 2006. It is located on the corner of Central and University Avenues, next to Woodward Hall. It has a security desk staffed with a security officer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with interior and exterior cameras, phone access to University Police, and a computerized guest system, where residents can choose to register their guests in advance or at the security desk. University Square also has a laundry room, vending area, office space, a 24-hour computer lab, and resident mailboxes. For the further information please visit the following website: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~reslife/graduate.html

Where can I find off-campus housing that is cheaper than on-campus housing?

Newark-Rutgers Office of Housing and Residential Life provides some information about off-campus housing. For more information: http://housing.newark.rutgers.edu/off_campus_housing_list2.htm.

Or else you can search local listings on your own through websites such as Craig's List: http://cnj.craigslist.org/

Are there suggested areas/towns for international students to look for housing?

Korean students may want to look for housing in Palisades Park, NJ or Fort Lee, NJ.

Japanese studnets may want to look into Edgewater, NJ as there are big Japanese markets and restaurants and it is the east coast location of Mitsuwa Marketplace.

Chinese students may want to look for housing in Kearny, NJ and Harrison, NJ (there is a shuttle available from Harrison to Rutgers-Newark). Additional information is avialable for Chinese students from the NJIT Chinese Students Association website: http://www-ec.njit.edu/~cssa, where you can find helpful eating and house-renting information.

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The campus police department is located at 200 University Avenue. It is right next to Parking Deck One. In case of emergency, you can call 973-353-5111 or 5111 from University telephones. Especially at night, if the last bus has left, then you can call 973-353-5581. A free campus shuttle service runs to mass transit system locations, including train stations, from 3:30 pm to midnight, Mondays through Fridays. For further information, visit http://nwkpolice.rutgers.edu/RUPD_UniversityPolice.html

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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.

Am I covered by any health insurance company?

For international students, all registered F-1 and J-1 students except those with full Rutgers TA or GA appointments are automatically billed for Rutgers student insurance policy on a per-semester basis. Once you pay health insurance fee with tuition at the beginning of every semester, you are covered by Aetna Student Health Plan. Please refer to http://oiss.rutgers.edu/insurance.html for detail information.

What should I do in case of health emergency?

Rutgers-Newark health center located at 104 of Blumenthal hall will provide health service to you on regular basis. However in case of emergency, you may need to call 973-353-5111 for police emergency line if you reside on campus or 911 off campus. Please refer to http://health.newark.rutgers.edu/our_services_urgentcare.htm for more information.

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There are two bookstores: New Jersey Book Store which is located across from Conklin Hall, and Newark Campus Bookstore which is located inside Bradley Hall. You can also the NJIT bookstore which is located inside the cafeteria of NJIT, and very close to our campus. From the following website, you can check whether it has the book you need. http://newark-rutgers.bncollege.com

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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 and play sports (including tennis, volleyball, basketball, and swimming). On entering the center, swipe your student ID and go downstairs to the gym. You can check the operation hours at http://www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com/sports/2007/12/13/rec.aspx

Are there any places where I can enjoy art, music, museum and the like?

At NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Art Center) http://www.njpac.org, you can enjoy all kinds of performances including famous musicals and concerts. The Newark Museum is near the campus. You can check the exhibition schedule at http://www.newarkmuseum.org/.

Where can I find the grocery store, especially for Asian food?

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There are various ways to get to campus. Using the campus shuttle, you can go to Newark Penn Station. You can buy the monthly pass and with your Rutgers student ID, you can get 25% discount. You can order online at http://nwkparking.rutgers.edu/njTransitDiscount.html.

You can also use the light rail which stops at The Washington Street and train:
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 can I get a NJ driving license?

First of all, you have to pass the written test. After studying with the driving manual you can get from http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/, visit the DMV which is located nearest to your home. In order to schedule the written test, you need to satisfy 6 point ID verification. From http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/6PointID.htm, you can find what you need to bring there to satisfy it. When you take this test, you can choose the language you wish to respond in. Second, if you pass the written test, you can schedule the road test from http://www.nj.gov/mvc/online/roadtest.shtml. Among the things required for international students is the I-20.

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: