Collins Center Announces Scholarship for Municipal Employees

The Collins Center for Public Management is pleased to announce a two-year scholarship for high achieving, motivated municipal officials and employees. The Edward J. Collins, Jr. Scholarship will provide the recipient with full tuition and fees to the Master of Science in Public Affairs (MSPA) program at UMass Boston's McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies.

Scholarship recipients will serve as Collins Center fellows during the two-year program and participate in center projects, activities, events and performance management professional development opportunities, as time permits.

The MSPA program is a two-year, interdisciplinary, professional course of study with evening classes and occasional weekend seminars to accommodate working professionals. This academic program prepares students for careers in public service and enhances the skills of those already employed in the public sector. Participants in this program analyze current policy issues and concentrate on subjects relating to metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts and New England. The curriculum is a carefully planned sequence of courses and seminars that provides academic instruction in politics, economics, management, budgeting, statistics and public finance.

"This scholarship is true to the core mission of the Collins Center - improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government - by helping dedicated municipal officials gain professional skills, equipping them to further their careers and improve service in their communities," said David Sparks, executive director of the center.

"We are looking forward to having these Collins fellows as students in our graduate school," said Steve Crosby, dean of the McCormack Graduate School. "Their practical real world experience will enrich our program and their fellow students. We very much appreciate this commitment from the Collins Center."

This is a competitive scholarship open to all current municipal officials and employees in Massachusetts who are residents of Massachusetts.

An applicant for the scholarship must meet the following requirements:

• Possess at least a bachelor's degree and be admitted to the MSPA program at UMass
Boston, following the normal application and acceptance process

• Serve full-time or part-time as a municipal official or employee in Massachusetts

• Be recommended by their mayor, town manager or other appropriate local official

• Have at least three years of professional experience in municipal government

• Exhibit a strong commitment to public service

• Commit to serve in a municipality for two years following the completion of the program and to maintain municipal employment status while enrolled in the program.

• Be available for enrollment starting in Fall 2012

For more information on how to apply for the scholarship, contact Sandra Blanchette at 617.287.5534 or sandra.blanchette@umb.edu.

For information on the MSPA program, go to:
http://www.umb.edu/academics/mgs/publicpolicy_publicaffairs/graduate/publicaffairs_mspa/

The application deadline to apply for the master's degree program is April 15.