2010 Clinton School FAQ's
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q. What degree programs are offered at the Clinton School?
The Clinton School offers the first Masters in Public Service
(MPS) degree available in the United States. Concurrent degree options include a MPS/Juris Doctorate in collaboration
with the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Bowen School of Law, an MPS/MBA with the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
Walton School of Business, as well as two variations of the MPS/Master of Public Health in conjunction with the
University of Arkansas School for Medical Sciences College of Public Health. In order to be accepted into any of these concurrent degree programs,
the applicant must separately apply and be accepted into both the Clinton School and the concurrent program of their choice.
The 2010 Clinton School application deadline is January 15, 2010.
Q. How do I apply to each concurrent program separately?
For those Clinton School applicants who are interested in pursuing a concurrent degree, please complete the respective application for your desired concurrent degree program with whom we currently partner. Information about their respective applications, deadlines, and tuition costs can be found below.
UALR Bowen School of Law: http://www.law.ualr.edu/ (priority application deadline: January 15)
UAMS Boozman College of Public Health: http://www.uams.edu/coph/ (application deadline: April 1)
UAF Walton School of Business: http://gsb.uark.edu/emba/ (application deadline: April 1)
If/when a student has been admitted into both the MPS and their concurrent program of choice, the student may then plan to enroll into their respective concurrent degree course program/sequence.
Q. Where can I get more information on the Clinton School curriculum and/or concurrent degree curriculum and course sequence/length?
The Clinton School MPS degree is a full-time 2-year program. By enrolling in a concurrent program, an additional year or two (depending on the program) will be required to obtain both degrees. Detailed information about the Clinton School MPS curriculum and the three concurrent degree offerings can be found on our website at http://www.clintonschool.uasys.edu/degree-program/.
Q. What distinguishes the MPS program from other Public Policy and Public Administration programs available around the country?
The Clinton School offers a unique blend of academics (see required courses) with practical hands-on experience.
In fact, 11 of the total 36 credit hours required, or nearly 30%, are earned through required public service work in the field, conducted throughout the 2-year degree program:
the group-based Practicum, the International Public Service Project and the Capstone.
The Clinton School’s distinct "real world" curriculum that educates people both in our classrooms and in the fields of service around the nation and globe, equips our students with a dimensional educational experience that is unlike any other Masters programs in the country.
Q. Are there any prerequisite courses?
Clinton School students come from diverse personal, educational, professional and service backgrounds. The Clinton School values this diversity highly and consequently, there are no specific prerequisite courses. Some students have found their previous coursework in American government, economics, statistics/research methods to be helpful.
Q. Are there any web-based, Executive Masters or certificate classes?
Currently, the Clinton School only offers a full-time academic curriculum.
Q. How much is the total tuition cost for the MPS program? What additional costs must I also consider if I were to enroll?
Tuition rates for Clinton School are set by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. Currently, Clinton School tuition and fees are $400 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state applicants. Tuition costs for the 36 credit hour MPS degree are $14,400 in total (for the full 36 credit hour, two-year program). Estimated additional costs may include approximately $400 per semester for books, and between $5000 and $6000 per semester for residential living and personal expenses here in Little Rock.
Q. Does an out-of-state applicant pay more tuition?
No, all applicants pay the same $400 per course hour for all classes taught at the Clinton School. Elective courses taken at our other partner campuses are charged at the in-state rate.
Q. Can this degree be pursued part-time?
No, this 36 credit degree program requires a full-time commitment. Because our innovative schedule of classroom work and field work may vary somewhat from week to week, part-time pursuit of the program is not possible.
Q. Can I start the MPS, MPS/JD, MPS/MPH, or MPS/MBA any semester?
No, the MPS and all concurrent programs begin in the fall semester.
Q. When does the program start each year?
The Clinton School MPS program begins with a weeklong orientation in mid-August. All incoming students are expected to attend Orientation. Classes generally begin in late August, during the week following Orientation.
Q. When do I register for classes?
All incoming students are automatically registered for their first semester of fall classes in the MPS sequence’s required core courses. Elective course options begin in the Spring semester of the first year.
Q. Can I transfer graduate hours from another university?
Yes, up to three credit hours of graduate work may be transferred, if approved by the Dean of Academic Affairs.
APPLICATION and ADMISSION QUESTIONS
Q. For which semester are you currently accepting applications?
The Clinton School is currently accepting applications for Fall 2010 enrollment.
Q. What is the application deadline for the Clinton School?
All application materials must be postmark-submitted by or before January 15, 2010. Application documents postmarked after this date will result in an incomplete application file, which may not be reviewed by the Admission Committee for Fall 2010 enrollment.
Q. How do I get an application?
Applications may be completed online at www.clintonschool.uasys.edu/admissions, or are available by contacting the Admissions office at admissions@clintonschool.uasys.edu or at (501) 683-5228.
Q. What documents are required for a complete application?
The Clinton School requires that all applicants submit:
- A completed application form
- A non-refundable $50 application fee
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all baccalaureate and graduate programs attended
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably on official letterhead, with the required “Letter of Reference” form
- Four short answer essay responses
- Official copies of the GRE, MAT, GMAT or LSAT
- International applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university and whose native language is not English are required to submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Q. How many letters of recommendation are required?
Three letters of recommendation are required: 1) one addressing the applicant’s academic preparation, 2) one focused on the personal characteristics that make the applicant well suited for graduate education and 3) one affirming the applicant’s public/community service record. All letters of recommendation must be accompanied by a “Letter of Reference” form (available to print online). Both the recommendation letter and the Letter of Reference form must be completed by the individual writing the recommendation, and submitted in a sealed and signed envelope.
Q. What is the application fee?
A non-refundable application fee of $50 is required and may be paid by credit card (online application only), personal check or money order made out to the Clinton School of Public Service.
Q. What graduate admission tests are required?
The Clinton School accepts the GRE, the MAT, the GMAT or the LSAT for its application requirement. Test scores more than 5 years old will NOT be accepted.
Q. If I have completed a graduate degree, am I required to submit test scores?
No. All applicants who provide official transcripts for completed graduate degrees are NOT required to submit graduate test scores.
Q. How will I know when my application is complete?
The Clinton School of Public Service admissions process is self-managed and students are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete and postmark-submitted by or before January 15, 2010 at the latest. Applicants will be notified when their application is complete.
Q. What if I cannot take the test or have the test scores arrive by the deadline?
An application is NOT complete without the applicant’s test results. An application and required documents can begin to be submitted without the test scores, but the applicant is strongly encouraged to take their graduate test as soon as possible, preferably by December 2009 in order to assure that the test results are received by the January 15th deadline.
Q. Do international students have to take the TOEFL?
Yes, all international students whose native language is not English or who did not receive an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college is required to submit TOEFL scores. A minimum of 550 for the paper-based examination or 213 for the computer-based examination is required.
Q. Is there a minimum GRE or GPA. for admission to the program?
Clinton School recommends, though does not require, that applicants have at least a 2.85 cumulative grade point average in their baccalaureate-level courses. The Clinton School does not specify a minimum GRE test score.
Q. What are the average GPA and GRE score of students entering the Clinton School this year? What is the average age of applicants accepted into your MPS program? What is the size of the enrolling class?
Average GPA: 3.4
Average GRE: 1132
Average age: 28 (applicants accepted into UACS this year ranged in age from 22 – 44)
The Clinton School enrolled 36 students into our MPS program this fall.
Q. What is the average LSAT score?
The average LSAT score was 156.
Q. Is an interview required?
An interview is not required, but may be requested by the admission committee. All interviews are conducted by telephone.
Q. When will I know if I have been accepted?
All admission decisions will be made by/before April 1st.
Q. Is there Early Decision or a Priority Deadline?
There is NO Early Decision or Priority Deadline. All application components must be postmark-submitted to Clinton School by the January 15th deadline. All final decisions about acceptance into the program will be made by/before April 1st.
SCHOLARSHIP and FINANCIAL AID QUESTIONS
Q. Are there scholarships and financial aid available?
Yes, both merit-based scholarships and need-based federal aid are available to qualified admitted students.
Q. When are decisions about merit-based scholarships made?
All decisions about merit-based scholarships are made after the Admission Committee determines a student’s acceptance into the program. The applicant’s letter of acceptance will include the merit-based scholarship, if any, that is offered by the Clinton School.
Q. How do I get information about need-based financial aid?
If you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S., you may apply for need-based federal student loans. You must complete a 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June 30, 2010 priority deadline in order to be eligible to receive federal loan funds. All need-based financial aid is processed for our students through the UA-Little Rock Financial Aid office. To submit a FAFSA form, please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Q. Does the Clinton School match the AmeriCorps Education Award?
Yes. While a number of AmeriCorps alumni may potentially be admitted in a given admission cycle, each year we offer up to 5 scholarship matches of AmeriCorps Education Awards to qualified admitted applicants. Decisions made regarding the recipients of AmeriCorps scholarship matches are based on committee review. In order to be considered for one of these limited scholarship matches, an admitted AmeriCorps alum must have an eligible AmeriCorps Education Award that has not yet been used. If a student admitted to UACS has already used their AmeriCorps Education Award, they are not eligible to be considered for our matching scholarship benefit.
Q. Is there funding available for the International Public Service Project?
The Clinton School will work with each student to identify funding to facilitate the international internship of their choice.