Clinton School of Public Service

Admission Requirements

Sturgis Hall, (501) 683-5200, website

The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service (UACS) was established by the University Board of Trustees on January 29, 2004, as a new academic unit within the University of Arkansas (UA) System. The Master of Public Service (MPS) degree program is accredited through a consortium among the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UAF); the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR); and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Vision of Professional Public Service

We believe in the right of all individuals, without exclusion, to participate fully and democratically in the social, cultural, economic, and political systems that affect their lives. Therefore, professional public servants must understand, engage, and transform these complex systems to ensure equity, eliminate injustice, and effect positive social change.
We believe in the right of all individuals to reach their full potential and to embody the spirit of democracy. Therefore, public servants must join with those who are marginalized so they are advocates for bettering their own lives and developing their own communities.
We believe in moral leadership that includes integrity, compassion, and a commitment to social justice. Therefore, public servants must listen to and learn from diverse groups, compromise and build alliances, and take strategic and decisive action to advance the common good.

Mission

The mission of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service is to educate and prepare professionals in public service who understand, engage, and transform complex social, cultural, economic, and political systems to ensure equity, challenge oppression, and effect positive social change.

We will realize our mission by:

Operating at the intersection of theory and practice.
Establishing, nurturing and maintaining a community of students, scholars, and experienced public servants.
Creating and sustaining partnerships and alliances with public, for-profit, non-profit, philanthropic, and volunteer sectors
Systematically evaluating the School’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mission.

The Campus

The UACS is located in the historic Choctaw Station of the Rock Island Railroad, now part of the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Center and Park in Little Rock, Arkansas. A generous grant from the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust funded the renovation of the Choctaw Station, and the building was dedicated as Sturgis Hall upon its opening in Fall 2004.

Sturgis Hall has two classrooms fitted with advanced audiovisual technology, a commons, student lounge area, library reading room, administrative and faculty offices, student carrels, and conference areas. UACS has opened additional classrooms and office space in the River Market District of downtown Little Rock. UACS students also enjoy campus privileges at three UA System schools – UAF, UALR, and UAMS. To learn more about the UA System and our parent campuses, please visit the UA System website

Admission Requirements

A description of the admissions process and all admissions forms are available on the Clinton School website.

Admission decisions for the MPS and EMPS program will weigh the applicant’s academic background (courses and grades), graduate entrance exam scores, and commitment to community service and civic engagement. The successful applicant will have public service experience before, during, or following undergraduate studies. The UACS recommends, though does not require, that applicants have at least a 2.85 cumulative grade point average in their baccalaureate-level courses. The UACS embraces diversity and encourages applications from all regardless of age, race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or physical ability. The admissions process is self-managed. This means that applicants are responsible for ensuring all required materials are received prior to the stated deadline. This also means that it is the responsibility of applicants to review their applications, as a whole, to ensure applications convey experiences, interests, and strengths. (subsequently forwarded to UACS) is not acceptable. In addition to the completed application, please submit the following:

Three short-answer essays. Please see website for required essay questions. (submit by mail)
A current résumé or curriculum vita that includes a description of public service experiences (submit by mail)
Official transcripts for all baccalaureate and any graduate/professional school performance (originals must be sent from awarding institution)
Graduate admissions test scores. The GRE and MAT (code 6368) and GMAT (code 9575) are acceptable in fulfilling this requirement, and scores should be sent directly to UALR. The LSAT (code 6368) may be used only when applying for the concurrent Juris Doctor/Master of Public Service degree program. Applicants are required to submit a photocopy of the official test score transcript by mail to the Clinton School, as well as submit the scores electronically using the appropriate submission code. Please use the appropriate code, as noted, when reporting scores. Scores more than five-years-old will not be accepted. Students who have completed a graduate degree are not required to submit graduate admissions test scores.
Three letters of recommendation are required: one addressing the applicant’s academic preparation, one focused on the personal characteristics that make the applicant well-suited for graduate education, and one affirming the applicant’s public community service record. All letters of recommendation must be accompanied by a “Letter of Reference” form, completed and signed by the individual writing the recommendation. The form is available for download on the UACS website.
An application fee of $50 (make check payable to UA Clinton School of Public Service)
Applicants must also be available for interviews in person or via video conference calls at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
In addition to the above requirements, all international applicants, including resident and nonresident aliens, whose native language is not English and who do not have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit a minimum score of 550 for the paperbased examination or 79 for the internet-based examination. The test must have been taken within the two years immediately preceding the requested year of admission. Before any action is taken on an international application, applicants are required to submit both a photocopy of the official TOEFL test score transcript by mail to the Clinton School, as well as submit an electronic transcript from the Educational Testing Service (use UALR school code: 6368). Submit score transcripts both by mail and electronically. Completed international applications may also be asked to submit a Certificate of Finances prior to receiving an admission decision.
All students must be enrolled on a full-time basis.

Tuition, Fees and Estimated Costs

Tuition and fees are $400 per semester hour for residents and non-residents; an additional fee of $20 is assessed per credit hour to cover instructional equipment, technology, library services, and other miscellaneous charges. Additional charges may be assessed on the consortium schools (UAF, UALR, UAMS) for student activities, sports and recreational events, parking, housing, health services, and the like. Please visit the UACS website for more information.

Scholarships

The Clinton School awards financial aid in the form of scholarships. The amount awarded varies according to need, merit, and the availability of funds.

Programs

Master of Public Service

• Public Service, M.P.S.