Current MPA Student Resources
Even though our MPA program is fully-online, we are still dedicated to supporting our students. Each semester, at least one faculty member travels to Salt Lake City to meet with current and prospective students. the meeting days and times are announced in advance through Canvas. Students are encouraged to schedule appointments or attend the open sessions.
Students who enroll in online courses must become very familiar with SUU’s learning management system, Canvas. SUU provides extensive technical support that can be accessed through your Canvas course home page.
In general, online courses follow a weekly schedule of nonsynchronous (independent with no virtual classroom) assignments. However, most instructors will establish a few synchronous sessions (virtual classroom where everyone can chat) sometime during the semester. The expectations for those sessions should be included in the syllabus, so be sure to check with each instructor and mark your calendar accordingly. The synchronous sessions can be recorded for later viewing should the instructor decide to do so.
Pi Alpha Alpha
Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) is the global honor society for Public Affairs and Administration. SUU's MPA program has a dedicated PAA chapter that serves our local area. Belonging to PAA provides for three membership benefits. First, to be a member of PAA a student must maintain a 3.7 GPA through their first year in the program, indicating their academic achievement. Second, members of PAA are provided with networking benefits at both a local and national level. Membership may be indicated on a resume to demonstrate achievement and success. Finally, being a member of PAA demonstrates a student's dedication to service. The SUU MPA chapter is committed to service activities through public service and establishing this habit of compassion on our members.
Student Conduct
Southern Utah University (SUU) establishes high expectations and community standards for its students through its policies and procedures. Students voluntarily assume the responsibility to meet these standards and expectations when they enroll at the University. The Student Conduct Staff educates students about the University's standards and expectations, and when those standards and expectations are not met, seeks to hold students accountable for their choices leading to conduct incongruent with SUU's policies and procedures.
As MPA students, you are encouraged to exceed these expectations, not only academically, but professionally. As part of the MPA program, we expect that each student will have:
- Honesty - Students will strive to be true to themselves and others while upholding the ideals of the SUU honor code and students will avoid all communication and actions that will mislead others.
- Integrity - Students will honor commitments by practicing highest ethical standards, and taking personal responsibility for your actions even when facing social and economic pressures.
- Respect - Students will treat everyone with respect, dignity, and fairness with no tolerance for discrimination.
- Global Awareness - Students will strive to understand and appreciate diversity of the global environment, and be sensitive to the ramifications of their actions in the international community.
- Excellence - Students will strive for a high level of academic excellence and professional achievement. Students will demonstrate their ability to perform while developing their intellectual capabilities and skills.
We hold these values in high regard and hope the student understands that their actions today and in the future reflect upon themselves and the Department of Political Science & Criminal Justice and the MPA program.
Plagiarism
Southern Utah University defines plagiarism as intentionally or carelessly presenting the work of another as one's own. It includes submitting an assignment purporting to be the student's original work which has wholly or in part been created by another person, or cutting and pasting of source material. It also includes the presentation of the work, ideas, representations, or words of another person without customary and proper acknowledgment of sources. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with their instructors for clarification in any situation in which the need for documentation is an issue.