Apr 20, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Muskie School of Public Service


Overview

Director: Firooza Pavri

Professors: Bampton, Edney, Joly, McDonnell, Pavri, Savage, Swanson; Associate Professors: Hamilton, Handman, Kim, LaPlante, Whitaker, Ziller; Associate Research Professors: Huston, Jonk, Lichter; Assistant Professors: Greenfield, Michaud; Assistant Research Professor: Ahrens, Paulu; Practice Faculty: Sahonchik, Tupper; Lecturer: Dobres, Lockridge

Administrative Specialist: Michelle Erhard

Academic Programs

The Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service is a non-partisan education, research, and public service organization dedicated to educating leaders, informing policy and practice, and strengthening civic life. The School combines nationally recognized research programs with graduate degrees in Public Health (MPH), and Policy, Planning, and Management (MPPM). It also offers bachelor’s degrees and several minors through the School’s undergraduate Geography-Anthropology (GYA), Public Health (BPH), Tourism and Hospitality (TAH) programs, as well as a wide spectrum of undergraduate certificates and certificates of graduate study. Muskie graduates work in many fields in the public, non-profit, and private sectors.

Muskie School and Cutler Institute

The Muskie School is home to the Cutler Institute. Through innovative and collaborative public service, the Cutler Institute advances and supports the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. More than 150 experienced staff help organizations and communities thrive in a changing world by translating knowledge and best practices into sustainable solutions that are responsive to societal needs and focused on both short-term and long-term outcomes.

As the research arm of the Muskie School, Cutler staff bring decades of experience and advanced degrees in policy, social work, law, education, business administration, and public health. The Institute’s multidisciplinary approach allows staff to provide innovative outcomes to complex local, national, and international issues.

The Cutler Institute’s primary focus areas are children, youth, and families; disability and aging; economic and workforce development; environmental and social resilience; justice policy; and population health and health policy.

The Research Service Center within the Institute develops and administers policies and processes that support research, scholarship, creative activity, and student success across the University.

Finally, as part of Cutler’s role in advancing the University’s economic development strategies, the Institute maximizes the value of investments from the Maine Economic Improvement Fund.

Visit the Cutler Institute website for more information.

The Muskie School is frequently sought after as a source of knowledge on issues of national, regional, state, and local importance. More than 150faculty and staff engage in research and public service projects through externally funded grant and contract awards totaling $20 million. The School’s faculty and staff bring a practical, innovative approach to health, social, environmental, community, and economic development problems, and a commitment to spanning traditional boundaries among university, government, and nonprofit organizations. The School’s research and public service programs provide faculty and students with real-life experiences that expand and inform the educational experience. Many graduate students take advantage of the School’s research programs through assistantships and internships.

Specialized laboratories administered by the Muskie School’s Geography-Anthropology program provide high-tech, hands-on research and teaching facilities that allow for student-faculty research collaborations. These include the Archaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Qualitative Research, Cartography and Map Collections, and the Geographic Information System (GIS) Laboratories in Gorham and Portland.

Certificates of Graduate Study

Certificates of graduate study are designed for working professionals and/or those exploring future opportunities for graduate study. Enrollment in a Certificate Program does not guarantee admission to the MPPM or MPH program.

The following certificates of graduate study are offered by the Muskie Public Health program:

The following certificates of graduate study are offered by the Muskie Policy, Planning, and Management program:

The following certificate of graduate study is offered by the Geography-Anthropology department: Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS)Undergraduate Certificates The following certificate is offered by the Program in Geography-Anthropology:

The following certificates are offered by the Program in Tourism and Hospitality:

Non-Matriculated Graduate Students

Public service professionals and community residents who have completed a bachelor’s or more advanced degree may enroll in Muskie School courses as non-matriculated students. Non-matriculated students are required to fulfill all prerequisites for the courses in which they wish to enroll. Those interested in enrolling in the School’s courses are urged to contact instructors as early as possible. Students may also contact the Muskie School’s administrative office [3] for information on space availability and registration information. Taking classes as a non-matriculated student does not guarantee admission to a certificate, the MPPM, or MPH program.

Graduate Transfer Credit

Students who have completed coursework in another graduate program at USM or elsewhere may petition the MPPM or MPH Academic Affairs Committee for transfer of up to 9 credit hours. Transfer credit may only be applied to completion of the degree if approved by the programs’ Academic Affairs Committee.

Extramural Credit for Matriculated Students

Students who are matriculated in the MPPM or MPH master’s programs who would like to take a course offered by another department at USM or another university that is not a pre-approved elective or already cross-listed with a Muskie graduate degree program must obtain permission from their Muskie program’s chair prior to registering for the non-Muskie course. Visit the Muskie School of Public Service website for more information.