School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Delaware
School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Delaware is an interdisciplinary school with academic programs in public administration, public policy, organizational and community leadership, urban affairs and disaster research and management. The academic program of the school uses an innovative model for instruction that integrates academic excellence with professional experience. The school is part of the College of Education and Public Policy.
The School offers five graduate degrees and two undergraduate degrees. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree prepares students for a variety of administrative roles in the public and nonprofit sector. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), it is currently ranked 41st by US News and World Report; 10th in City Management, and 16th in Nonprofit Management. The MA Program prepares students for planning, historic preservation, community development, work with nonprofits and public policy. The PhD prepares students for advanced roles in practice and academia. The undergraduate public policy degree prepares students for roles in analyzing and creating public policy and the Community and Organizational Leadership Program educates students for leadership roles in many different settings. The School recently added a Master of Science and a Ph.D program in Disaster Research and Management.
The school employs a unique educational model that integrates practice and education. Often called the Delaware Model, it builds on the connection between closely aligned research and service centers (Such as the Center for Community Research and Service, the Institute for Public Administration, The Center for Historical Architecture and the Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research) and the school. Both students and faculty work within the centers and professional staff are considered partners in the educational process. Most faculty members have substantial amounts of experience in the field. The Delaware Model is a work in ProgresS. Considerable effort has been invested in refining and improving the current approach. Plans for the future are constantly evolving.
In addition to the Delaware Model, the school offers the nationally renowned Legislative Fellows Program, a rich menu of International exchanges and partnerships with a broad network of organizations in Delaware, the United States and throughout the world. Alumni of the school hold leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sector and in academia. SUAPP is also home to the Urban Affairs Association, an international scholarly society that promotes the study of Urban Areas. The association boasts an annual conference, a journal and a membership that spans the globe.
References
Denhardt, R. Lewis, J., Raffel, J. & Rich, D. (1997 ) Integrating Theory and Practice in MPA Education: The Delaware Model. Journal of Public Administration Education, 3, (2) 153-62