Q1
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Can I take MSPM classes before I am
accepted into the program? |
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A |
Yes, you can take up to 9 credits (3 courses) before being officially accepted into the MSPM Program; however, you must have at a minimum submitted a UAA application as a non-degree seeking student before registering for classes.
Degree and non-degree application
instructions
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Q2
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What are the prerequisites to be accepted into the MSPM Program? |
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A |
To be accepted into the Program, local and international students are required to have the following:
• Undergraduate Degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
*Note- for students
with a GPA below 3.0, conditional acceptance into the program is
possible, with full acceptance upon successfully completing the first 3 courses in the
program with a 3.0
or better GPA.
• Two years professional working experience.
*Note- this requirement may be waived if the student is fully engaged in employment at the
time of application.
• Completion of a statistics with a grade of ‘B’ or better.
*Note- ESM 620 (Statistics for ESM) is
highly recommended for fulfillment of this requirement.
• GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
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Q3
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How long does it typically take to
complete the degree? |
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A |
The expected duration of study varies widely depending on many factors specific to each student, but generally varies between 1-year (full-time student) to 3-years (part-time student). The maximum UAA allotted duration for completing a graduate degree is 7-years.
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Q4
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What makes the MSPM Program different
than other graduate programs? |
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A |
The MSPM Program is a unique and innovative
program framed entirely around Project
Management. We are highly focused on the
needs of our students and have a strong
connection to the professional community in
Alaska and throughout the Pacific Rim. The
MSPM Program is self-supporting and thus
does not receive financial assistance from
UAA. It is for this reason that super
tuition is charged.
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Q5
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I have a full-time job. Are evening & weekend classes available? |
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A |
Yes, our program is focused on accommodating the working professional and as such all of our classes are offered in the evenings from 5:30pm to
9:00 pm and on full Saturdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
PM 685 and Pm 610 run from 4pm to 7pm .
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Q6
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What if I travel frequently on business and have to miss class? |
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A |
All class lectures are video-taped and available for viewing via the web approximately one hour after the class lecture ends. Class videos are also available for check-out at the ESPM Office.
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Q7
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Who is the MSPM Program for and why
is a degree in Project Management
valuable ? |
A
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The MSPM program is for all application
areas although the program is a part of the
School of Engineering. Please see our student demographics link for more information
http://soe.uaa.alaska.edu/espm/introduction/people/mspm_students/index.html
Project Management is an up and coming field around the world, but especially in the State of Alaska where the success of our major industries hinge upon effective and efficient management of projects.
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Q8
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What type of jobs will an MSPM degree prepare me for? |
A
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Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and go on to careers in a diverse range of industries. See our student testimonials for more details at
http://soe.uaa.alaska.edu/espm/introduction/programs/project_management/courses/index.html
(each course includes separate testimonials).
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Q9
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Is the MSPM Program Accredited? |
A
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Yes, the MSPM Program has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 2003.
Additionally, the program received
accreditation from the Project Management
Institute's (PMI) Global Accreditation
Center (GAC) in 2007. Click
here to learn more about GAC
accreditation.
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Q10
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How many courses must I take to graduate with a Master of Science Degree? |
A
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The MSPM Program requires completion of 9 core 3-credit courses plus one 6-credit
research project for graduation. For students who already have an existing master’s degree, only 7 core courses are required, including PM 601- Project Management
Fundamentals and PM 685- Case Study and Research. Currently, 10%+ of our students are studying MSPM as their 2nd or 3rd master’s degree.
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Q11
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As an admitted MSPM student, what forms must I submit during the course
of the MSPM program in order to meet graduation requirements? |
A
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All MSPM degree candidates must submit a Graduate Studies Plan, which becomes official when approved by the Dean and filed with Enrollment Services at the time of advancement to candidacy. Once a student has received approval of a proposed PM Case Study and Research project, the student must submit an Application for Candidacy form accompanied by the approved Graduate Studies Plan. The final form required for graduation is the Application for Graduation.
The Office of Graduate Studies'
Graduate Student Handbook has more
information.
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Q12
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I don’t currently live in the Anchorage area. What types of accommodations are available? |
A
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On-campus housing. To find out more visit the UAA Housing Department online at http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/housing/index.cfm
Off-campus housing. Listings for off-campus housing may be located via the internet, local newspaper classifieds (Anchorage Daily News), and real estate agencies. For more information about Anchorage contact the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.
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Q13
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Is the MSPM Program tailored to a particular industry or does it cater for a broad audience? |
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A |
The MSPM Program targets a broad audience as can be gleaned from the student profile. Typical students come from diverse backgrounds and find a common ground in Project Management. Incidentally, in meeting growing need for Project Management professionals in more industries,
the Department began to offer the Construction Project Management course in
the summer of 2006. Other new elective
courses beginning in spring 2007 as Supply Chain Project Management and IT Project Management. Other customized courses are available for Non-Project Members and so on. |
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
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Q14
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How far in advance must I apply? |
A
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Always allow enough time for your application to be processed before the commencement of the semester. The semester dates at UAA are available in an online schedule at
http://edit.uaa.alaska.edu/records/catalogs/schedules.cfm. International students should allow up to four months between the time you first send your application to UAA
and the beginning of the semester. As an example, for international students, if you want to register for the fall semester beginning in August, submit your application in April.
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Q15
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How do I apply for the MSPM Program? |
A
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Applications can be made online on the UAA website.
http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/apply_for_admission.cfm
This is the UAA link incorporating a ‘registration wizard’, an online resource that can guide you
in completing your application.
International students must fill out a paper-based application
by selecting this option from the UAA website.
http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/printed_application_forms.cfm. Once you have verified that the application deadline for the semester you are seeking admission in has not passed,
you can fill out your applications online. Always allow 24 hours after your application to obtain
a student ID number. This student ID number will be used in most of your correspondence with the UAA.
Non-degree seeking students can also
apply for admission from the UAA
admissions website
http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/apply_for_admission.cfm |
Q16
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What must I submit with my application? |
A
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Please refer to our application checklist
(UAA New Student Checklist) to be sure to have included all the relevant material for your application to be processed. Remember that you need to satisfy both the UAA requirements and the Department requirements for admission.
Submit to UAA Admissions:
• UAA Application
• Transcripts showing successful completion of a relevant undergraduate degree and completion
of statistics course Submit Directly to ESPM Department Chair at ayespm@uaa.alaska.edu :
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose (2-pages discussing your background, career goals, expected timeline
for program study, and any additional pertinent information)
Click here for guide |
Q17
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How can I check the status of my application? |
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A |
You can check the status of your application at UA Online at
www.uaonline.alaska.edu. Click “Login to Secured Area” and follow the instructions to access your secure UAA account. You can then check the status of your application as well as register for classes and obtain schedules for the classes you are registered in. |
DISTANCE STUDENTS
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Q18
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I am interested in the MSPM Program, but I don’t live in the Anchorage area. Can I still attend? |
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A |
Yes, the MSPM Program has distance
learning capability and currently has
students participating via
video-conference in Juneau, Valdez,
Fairbanks, Kenai, Kodiak, North Slope,
Nigeria, Chille, California, Florida,
New Orleans and South Korea. In
addition, we currently have a 14 MSPM
Students studying in Seattle, Washington
for which our faculty members travel to
Seattle to offer classes every-other
weekend. Please contact the ESPM
Department to host MSPM Classes in your
area.
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Q19
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What is Blackboard
and how can I access it? |
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A |
Blackboard is a course management system
that allows for dynamic learning to
occur in the online environment. The
tools provided by the Blackboard
software allow students and faculty to
post and share documents and other
course content, write via email and
posted discussion boards, and even have
synchronous, or "real-time"
conversations in a virtual classroom.
More |
Q20
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How do I log in to join classes as a
distance student and how can I view
class videos? |
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A |
As a distance or traveling student,
classes are accessible to you real-time
through MSN Messenger. Class videos are
posted on Blackboard approximately one
hour after the end of the class. Please
click here for instructions.
More |
Q21
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How do I post my assignments on
Blackboard? |
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A |
PM courses require students to post
their assignments to Blackboard unless
otherwise instructed by course
professors.
More |
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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Q22
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Is any financial assistance available for international students? |
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A |
Yes, graduate assistant positions are available; however, students must demonstrate academic excellence in their first semester of the program to be considered.
For more details, please
click here |
Q23
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As an international student, what is the
required TOEFL score? |
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A |
If English is not the native language of your country of origin, you will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Minimun required TOEFL score is PBT 550,
CBT 213, IBT 79-90. For more details, please
click here |
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Q24 |
International Transfer Credit Evaluation? |
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A |
ESPM Dept. prefers Center for Applied
Research, Evaluation and Education, INC.
(Website) |
CONTINUING STUDENTS
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Q25
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I am a continuing student. What is
the continuous registration and how do I
keep my registration current? |
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A |
Please remember, continuous registration
is expected every fall and spring
semester from admission through
graduation, until all requirements for
the degree are completed. To make
continuous progress in your graduate
program, you have the following options:
1)
Registering
for at least one (1) graduate level
credit applicable to your graduate
degree, OR
2) Paying the continuous registration
fee to remain active in the graduate
program although not registered for any
courses. Please use the following CRN’s
when registering for the continuous
registration fee option for Spring Semester 2007:
School of Engineering
- 31592
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