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News Release
 
BOISE STATE NEWS RELEASE/APRIL 17, 2008
Boise State Approved to Offer New Graduate Degrees in
Community and Regional Planning, Public Administration
Following approval earlier today by the State Board of Education, Boise
State University has permission to offer two new graduate-level programs in
the realm of public policy — a master’s in community and regional planning
and a Ph.D. in public policy and administration. The university intends to
have the master’s in community and regional planning up and running by fall
2009 and the Ph.D. in public policy and administration in the next year.
Since 2006, Boise State has offered Idaho’s only certificate program in
community and regional planning, administered through the Department of
Public Policy and Administration. The new master’s degree will go even
further in preparing students to serve as local, state and regional planning
professionals with expertise in environmental planning, land use,
transportation, and community and economic development.
“It is excellent news that Boise State University can go forward with its
master of community and regional planning program,” said Susan Mason,
director of the certificate program. “This program is a perfect example of
ways the university and community can partner to build a better future and
ensure the quality of life that is so prized by individuals in the
Intermountain West.”
The Ph.D. in public policy builds on a nationally accredited master’s degree
program and five regionally recognized program centers that conduct research
and training services in public policy. The program will prepare students
for a variety of career choices, including administration in nonprofit and
public organizations; policy research in environmental and other areas of
public policy; and academic teaching/research positions.
“The proposed Ph.D. in public policy and administration builds upon the
long-established and successful master’s of public administration (MPA)
degree offered at Boise State,” said Les Alm, chair of the Department of
Public Policy. “The program should provide opportunities for those who want
to continue their education beyond the MPA degree to further their careers
in government or conduct policy research in an academic environment.”
The university developed these programs because Southwest Idaho’s rapid
growth has lead to a need for more rigorous public policy analysis. Boise
serves as headquarters for all state agencies and for a number of federal
programs — nearly two-thirds of the state is owned by the federal
government. As a result, there is a critical need for policy research and
effective public administration in an area influenced in such a high degree
by private, public and nonprofit organizations.
The Ph.D. in public policy and administration is Boise State’s third doctoral
degree approved by the State Board of Education in the past three
years; the university now has five doctoral degrees. A total of 72 master’s
degree programs are also offered at Boise State, including the program in
community and regional planning approved today, along with 13 graduate
certificate programs.
“These new programs will help Boise State University continue to define its
mission as Idaho’s metropolitan research university of distinction,” said
Sona Andrews, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “They build
on the university’s existing strengths and signify our dynamic future as an
institution that is responsive to the needs of our region and state, and on
that understands the challenges and opportunities we must address in order
to maintain and improve the quality of life in Idaho.”
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Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208)
426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu
Boise State University’s new Finish in Four program guarantees that
eligible students who follow a planned course of study can complete their
degree in four years. If not, Boise State will pay for the additional
required courses. More information about Boise State’s graduation guarantee
can be found at
www.boisestate.edu/finish4.
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Last reviewed on
Thursday, April 17, 2008
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