The Master of Science in International Public Service (IPS) prepares students interested in public policy to serve the common good and advance a just society, in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. The IPS degree educates professionals to the field of international development and global humanitarian affairs. It provides the essential competencies and skills for managing international projects and leading international nongovernmental organizations. The curriculum offers a balanced education in international leadership (ethical, theoretical and practical), project management (for organizations, sectors, institutions) and evaluation (assessment, monitoring and impact analysis). Through study abroad programs, international internships and applied research projects with nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations, the IPS degree is required for a professional career in international development.
Mission Statement
The Master of Science in International Public Service (IPS) degree prepares students to work in governmental, nongovernmental and business organizations that seek to reduce disparities in resources and opportunities in locations across the globe. We believe that such work requires an understanding of cross-sector relations, management skills and first-hand experiences in strengthening community capacity using ethical reasoning and sustainable approaches. We promote compassion for marginalized communities and service to all with sensitivity, professionalism, accountability, transparency, and justice.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 44 |
| Elective Courses | 8 |
| Total hours required | 52 |
The MS in International Public Service may also be expanded to include select graduate certificate programs covering particular areas of interest. Students participating in a combined MS/certificate program should consult with their academic advisor (SPSAdvising@depaul.edu) to determine what coursework might count toward both programs. A separate application process for the certificate may be required. Students who are interested in any of the following combination programs should contact the Graduate Student Services Office for additional information.
- International Public Service + Community Development Certificate
- International Public Service + Critical Ethnic Studies Certificate
- International Public Service + Emergency Management Administration Certificate
- International Public Service + Geographic Information Systems Certificate
- International Public Service + Global Health Certificate
- International Public Service + Health Care Administration Certificate
- International Public Service + Metropolitan Planning and Development Certificate
- International Public Service + Strategic Writing and Advancement for Nonprofits Certificate
- International Public Service + Social Research Certificate
- International Public Service + Sustainable Urban Food Systems
- International Public Service + Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate
- International Public Service + Translation and Interpreting Certificate
- International Public Service + Women's and Gender Studies Certificate
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Critically assess the global consideration and implications of issues/concerns to multiple audiences in the appropriate written and oral formats.
- Apply an ethical and empirical framework to organizational decisions.
- Analyze the leadership and management skills essential to sustaining international public service organizations.
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete a total of 13 courses (52 credit hours): eleven core courses (44 credit hours), two elective courses (8 credit hours).
Core Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MPS 500 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| MPS 510 | INTERNATIONAL DIMENSIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
| MPS 511 | SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| MPS 533 | APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING EXCEL) | 4 |
| or MPS 536 | APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING SPSS) | |
| MPS 575 | STUDY ABROAD SEMINAR | 4 |
| MPS 583 | RESEARCH METHODS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
| MPS 593 | INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR | 4 |
| MPS 594 | ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
| MPS 611 | MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL NGOs | 4 |
| MPS 612 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY | 4 |
| MPS 616 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT | 4 |
Internship Capstone Option
Students may choose to replace MPS 593 with MPS 610 Internship Capstone option.
Elective Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose two of the following: | 8 | |
| CROSS-SECTOR ANALYSIS | ||
| VOLUNTEERISM IN GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY | ||
| GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | ||
| NONPROFIT FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | ||
| PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT | ||
| LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SERVICE | ||
| FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | ||
| MARKETING FOR SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| WORKING WITH NONPROFIT BOARDS | ||
| STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING | ||
| HEALTH CARE POLICY | ||
| COMPARATIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS | ||
| ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE | ||
| POLICY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS | ||
| POLICY IMPLEMENTATION | ||
| ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING | ||
| GIS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | ||
| LAW AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | ||
| ENERGY POLICY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS AND MEDIATED SOLUTIONS | ||
| URBAN RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION POLICY | ||
| SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY | ||
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNSHIP | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS | ||
| INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SEMINAR | ||
| MANAGEMENT OF INTERCULTURAL DIVERSITY | ||
| MIGRATION AND FORCED MIGRATION | ||
| INTERNATIONAL LAW | ||
Study Abroad Requirement
Students are required to take the MPS 575 study abroad course. This one week study abroad trip allows both full-time and part-time students to participate. Students should apply for the competitive study abroad scholarships to help with travel costs.
Internship Option
Students have the option to complete substantial professional experience in an international or intercultural setting for course credit. Students without substantial professional experience in an international or intercultural setting, are strongly encouraged to pursue an internship with an approved organization. To pursue this option, students enroll in MPS 601 while completing the internship. For more information contact SPSAdvising@depaul.edu.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Students are not required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language as a graduation requirement. However, please note that a second language is critical to helping a resume stand out and for constructing an effective career in international public service. Therefore all students are strongly encouraged to build and demonstrate proficiency in at least one other language appropriate to their field or geographical interests.
Student Handbook
Students in the School of Public Service will follow many of the requirements, rules, and regulations set by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the DePaul University Graduate Handbook. There are additional academic regulations specific to students in the School of Public Service. Please see information below.
Academic Probation
All students within the School of Public Service must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher as part of their requirements for graduation. As a result, any student who earns a cumulative GPA below 2.7 (B-) is placed on academic probation. tudents on academic probation are required to meet with the Assistant Director for Academic Advising to discuss their performance and determine a plan for improvement.
Dismissal
Students who are not able to raise their cumulative GPA to a minimum of 2.7 within two academic quarters (after being placed on academic probation) are subject to dismissal from the program.
Readmission
If a student is dismissed from the program (as outlined in the dismissal policy), he or she may reapply through the formal admission application process.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from the program, students must complete all program requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher. If a student's cumulative GPA is below a 2.7, he or she may be denied graduation.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
While School of Public Service courses are open to non-degree seeking graduate students, pre-requisite requirements for certain courses may be enforced.