Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Record 2011-2012 
    
Graduate Record 2011-2012 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy


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Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
Garrett Hall
235 McCormick Road
P.O. Box 400893
Charlottesville, VA 22904
434-924-0812
batten.virginia.edu
 

General Information

The University of Virginia established the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy in 2007 as part of its strategic plan and as an expression of its Jeffersonian heritage.  The Batten School is the newest school at the University since the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration was created in 1954.

Through its instructional, research, and outreach programs, the Batten School contributes in important ways to public understanding and deliberation of the great domestic and international issues of each age. Its mission is to educate men and women to become engaged and enlightened citizens and effective and ethical leaders who understand the responsibilities and opportunities of service to the public and can help bring about transformational change. The Batten School trains students in critical leadership skills, and in the analytics and substance of policy.  Its programs inspire students to act vigorously, effectively, and ethically on behalf of the common good.  Faculty are committed to teaching the use of rigorous analysis, the subtle understanding of political, social and economic context, and the exercise of creative personal and organizational leadership to initiate change in an increasingly diverse world.

The School is made possible by a generous gift from the late Frank Batten, Sr., one of the University’s most loyal supporters.  Batten was the retired chairman and CEO of Landmark Communications Inc.  He was known for his keen interest in the areas of leadership, citizenship, and public service.

At present, the Batten School offers two programs that lead toward the degree of Master of Public Policy.  An accelerated version of the degree enables a select group of UVa undergraduates the opportunity to earn the degree after one additional year of study following receipt of their bachelor’s degree.  A two-year program offers the same degree to post-graduate students from other colleges and universities.  The Batten School also offers five joint degree programs: MPP/JD (Law School), MPP/MBA (Darden Graduate School of Business), MPP/PhD (Curry School of Education), MPP/MPH (Department of Public Health Sciences in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences), and MPP/MUEP (Department of Urban and Environmental Planning in the School of Architecture). 

Degree Information (Degree Offered)

Master of Public Policy (MPP) – The MPP Curriculum instills four distinctive elements into the traditional study of policy analysis:

• A focus on leadership skills.
• A multidisciplinary perspective on the evolving context of public policy.
• Attention to the role of psychological and non-rational factors in decision-making and group behavior.
• A fully realized commitment to experiential learning through hands–on projects, policy simulations, and field experiences.

The core curriculum consists of twelve required Batten School courses:

• Four courses on the concepts and tools of problem solving and policy analysis
         o PPOL 6100: Economics of Public Policy I
         o PPOL 7110: Economics of Public Policy II
         o PPOL 6150: Research Methods and Data Analysis I
         o PPOL 7160: Research Methods and Data Analysis II
• Two courses on leadership 
         o PPOL 6050: Leadership in the Public Arena
         o PPOL 7410: Psychology for Leadership
• Three courses on the context of public policy
         o PPOL 6000: Political Institutions and Processes
         o PPOL 7010: The Changing Context of Public Policy
         o PPOL 7400: Legal and Moral Dimensions of Policymaking
• Three courses centered on applied, experiential learning
         o PPOL 6250: Policy Analysis
         o PPOL 7600: Thesis Project
         o PPOL 7610: Applied Policy Project

The core curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in the concepts, methods and strategies of policy analysis and effective leadership.  The program emphasizes teamwork and close interaction among students and faculty. 
 
In addition to core courses, students are required to take four electives.  Electives give students an opportunity to gain substantive expertise in their areas of policy interest.  Students may enroll in electives offered by the Batten School and by other graduate and professional schools across the University.  Batten students regularly enroll in courses at the Law School, the Darden Graduate School of Business, the Curry School of Education, the School of Architecture, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Students are required to complete an internship in the summer between the first and second years.  Students may intern in international, federal, state, or local government agencies; non-profit organizations; or private sector corporations and consulting firms; in the United States or abroad.   Students select their internships based on their interests and in consultation with program faculty.

The capstone of the program is an Applied Policy Project in which students perform a professional-quality study for a real-world client under faculty supervision.  For some students, the project is an outgrowth of the summer internship, and in some cases it may lead to a post-graduation position with the client organization.  Upon graduation students are prepared for public service careers in government, non-profit organizations, and private firms engaged in public-private partnerships.
 

Accelerated Bachelor/MPP - Open to current UVa undergraduates from all majors, the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP Program allows admitted students to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a master of public policy degree in five years, rather than the normal six.

UVa undergraduate students typically apply for admission during their third year.  Applicants must demonstrate that they will have earned at least 90 undergraduate credits before the start of their fourth year.  In addition, prior to enrollment in the accelerated MPP program, students are required to have passed ECON 2010 and any one of the following math courses: MATH 1210 - Applied Calculus I; MATH 1212 - Applied Calculus I with Algebra; MATH 1310 - Calculus I; APMA 1090 - Single Variable Calculus I; or any more advanced calculus course. The economics and math prerequisites can be fulfilled through either coursework or AP credit.  Summer coursework before the fall semester in which the student begins the program is also an option.

Once admitted to and enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor/MPP Program, students begin their professional studies at the Batten School while completing their remaining undergraduate coursework to receive their bachelor’s degree.  They will take three Batten core courses per semester of their first year with Batten, for a total of six Batten courses during the first year of the program.  The remaining two courses per semester of their final undergraduate year are available for students to complete their major, minor, other undergraduate requirements, or electives relevant to the MPP program. 

Students must complete all of the academic requirements for and receive their undergraduate degree by the end of their fourth year in order to be eligible to advance to graduate standing and receive the MPP degree.

During the summer in between their fourth and fifth years, Batten students participate in a required internship in a public policy field of the students’ interest.  At the conclusion of the summer internship, Batten students return for their fifth year as graduate students completing their MPP coursework.

Dual Degree Programs

The Batten School offers five Dual Degree programs with other graduate and professional schools at the University of Virginia.  Each program includes the entire first year of the Batten MPP curriculum and the first year curriculum of the participating school.  The dual degree programs allow students to complete the two programs in less time than would be required if each were taken separately.

Academic Rules and Regulations

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Application of Batten School Policies
Policies and procedures apply to all students enrolled in the Batten School, as stipulated below, and are subject to change. 

Petitions for exception should be addressed to the Assistant Dean Eric Patashnik. 

Policies and procedures governing enrollment in a degree program or course at the Batten School also apply to students from other schools who are enrolled in Batten programs and courses.

Application of Other School and University Policies
Students enrolled in the first year of the Accelerated Master of Public Policy Program are still candidates for their undergraduate degrees.  They are therefore governed by the regulations of the school in the University in which they are completing those degrees, as well as with the general policies of the University of Virginia, presented in the Undergraduate Record and available online at records.ureg.virginia.edu/.  Upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree and the first year of the Batten curriculum, these students will be officially admitted to the Batten School graduate program.  Students may not be admitted to the graduate program without an undergraduate degree. 

All students enrolled in the Batten School’s graduate programs are responsible for complying with the policies of the University of Virginia, presented in the Graduate Record and available online at records.ureg.virginia.edu/.

The Graduate Record and the Undergraduate Record contain information on policies that apply to all University students, regulations governing undergraduate, graduate and dual-degree programs, the Honor System, tuition, fees, and financial aid.

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Course Enrollment
Students are required to register for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for full-time student status.  The maximum course load of 17 credit hours may only be exceeded upon approval of the Director of Student Affairs and Registrar. 

For students enrolled in the Accelerated Master of Public Policy Program, the credit hours for all Batten coursework taken during the first year counts toward the undergraduate degree.  In the second year, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits of graduate-level work in-residence. 

Course Registration
Students should register during pre-registration to avoid problems with tuition bills and financial aid.  Registration is not complete until all fees have been paid or satisfactory arrangements have been made with Student Financial Services. 

Attendance
Given the intensive nature of the curriculum, students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings. When necessary, excuses for absence from class are arranged between the student and the instructor of the course.  It is the responsibility of the student to discuss numerous absences with the instructor and the Assistant Dean for Student Services.  If necessary, the Assistant Dean may ask the Department of Student Health to evaluate the effect of any illness on a student’s attendance and academic performance. 

Poor attendance may be taken into account by the instructor in any manner for grading purposes.  The instructor will bring cases of excessive absence to the attention of the Assistant Dean for Student Services.

In the event that the student falls behind in course work for any reason, it is the responsibility of the student to make up the work in a manner that is approved by the instructor. 

Original Work
Students are required to submit their own work in all courses, properly citing the words and ideas belonging to others in all assignments, in accordance with instructor guidelines and the University of Virginia Honor System.  Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Work that has been submitted as an assignment for one course may not be submitted as an assignment for another course without the explicit approval of the instructor. 

Grades
The academic performance of a student in each course taken for a grade is recorded as one of the following grades: A+, A, A-; B+, B, B-; C+, C, C-; D+, D, D-; F.  All courses intended to fulfill degree requirements must be taken for a grade. 

Incomplete and Missing Grades
The symbol IN (incomplete) is used when additional course work or examination is required to fulfill the obligations of a given course.  A student may not request an incomplete in an attempt to raise his or her grade.  An IN is not a valid final grade and becomes an F 200 days after the grading deadline (30 days for undergraduates), unless the student requests an extension from the course instructor prior to the end of the course, and secures approval.  The time allowed to complete course requirements is determined between the student and the instructor, but may not exceed one semester beyond the term in which the student took the course.  Students must enter into a written agreement with the instructor, specifying the remaining requirements and timeline. If the student fails to fulfill the agreement, the grade automatically becomes an F unless changed by the instructor.  Grade changes from IN to a final grade cannot be made more than one semester following the end of the course. 

Grade Changes
No grade may be changed without dean’s approval after it has been submitted to the Office of the University Registrar.  Error in calculation or transcription is the only acceptable reason for grade changes.  Instructors must submit a grade change form to the Director of Student Affairs and Registrar, who will seek approval from the Dean.  Grades cannot be changed after a degree is conferred, or more than one semester following the end of the course, whichever comes first. 

Grade Appeals
A student who wishes to appeal a grade must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course.  The appeal must be submitted to the instructor in writing within 30 days of grade posting.  If no resolution is reached, the student may submit a written appeal to the Associate Dean.

Academic Standing
To remain in good academic standing in a degree program of the Batten School, students must 1) earn a grade of B- or higher in all core courses of the degree program, 2) earn no more than two grades lower than a B- in elective courses, and 3) must maintain a cumulative grade point average of B (3.00) or higher in all courses required for the degree, including elective courses taken in other schools at the University of Virginia. 

A student who fails to meet these conditions will be placed on academic probation, pending dean’s review.  The Director of Student Affairs and Registrar will notify the student of this status and explain his or her options.  The student has until the end of the next semester’s exam period to restore good standing by fulfilling the terms attached to his or her unique case.  In most cases, failure to do so will result in enforced withdrawal from the program in which they are enrolled pending the Dean’s review.

Degree Completion
All work for the Master of Public Policy degree must be completed within five years of matriculation.  The student must be registered in the Batten School during the semester in which he or she is an applicant for a degree.

WITHDRAWAL, LEAVE, AND READMISSION

Voluntary Withdrawal
MPP students enrolled in two degree programs at the University (e.g. Accelerated MPP, MPP dual degree program)  who wish to withdraw from the MPP Program must do so in writing to the Assistant Dean for Student Services.  The withdrawal will go into effect upon acknowledgement by the Batten School and following the student’s most recent semester of enrollment.

Students may withdraw from the University before the conclusion of a semester for personal reasons (e.g. financial, medical, family) under the following conditions:


1. Students under the age of 18 must give notice to their parents or legal guardians of their intention to withdraw.  Evidence of this notice must be provided at the time of withdrawal.
2. Applications for withdrawal must be made in writing to the Assistant Dean for Student Services and must be approved by the Dean.
3. Failure to comply with the above regulations will subject a student to suspension from the University by the Vice President for Student Affairs.  Any student who withdraws without having obtained permission is recorded as having been suspended with a grade of F recorded for each course.  
4. Students who withdraw from the University voluntarily will have the notation “Withdrawal Date: MM/DD/YYYY” recorded on their permanent academic record.  Students who withdraw will receive grade of W (withdrawal) in their courses.

Involuntary Medical Withdrawal
Students who are withdrawn from the University by the Department of Student Health for reasons of health will receive a grade of W (withdrawal) will be entered for each course in which the student was registered.

Leave of Absence
Requests for a leave of absence must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Dean for Student Services, and the time requested may not exceed one calendar year.  Due to the sequencing and progression of the Batten School curriculum, permission to take a leave of absence is subject to dean’s review and is granted only in rare circumstances.

Readmission
Students who do not enroll at the Batten School for a semester or longer must be formally readmitted, regardless of whether they withdrew from the School or were granted an approved leave of absence. 

Applications for readmission must be submitted to the Assistant Dean for Student Services by August 1 for the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester, and will be subject to dean’s review.  Applications must consist of a letter addressing the student’s readiness to return to full-time study, particularly if he or she faced serious difficulties (e.g. financial, medical, personal) during the most recent enrollment.  Approval from the Department of Student Health and the Office of the Dean of Students is required in all cases involving health.

OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Disability Accommodation
Students with disabilities may contact the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center (LNEC) to arrange accommodations.  The LNEC coordinates disability accommodations which may include alternate text formats for course material, peer note-taking, extended time for tests, sign language and other interpreting, and housing arrangements.  Initial evaluation of academic difficulties is also available as needed to students who pay Student Health fees.  Students with disabilities must submit appropriate documentation to the LNEC in support of a request for accommodations.  All accommodation requests must be submitted in a timely manner, usually at or before the beginning of each semester.  For requests involving on-Grounds housing, appropriate deadlines within the Housing Office should also be met. 
 
Student Email
Email is a mechanism for official communication within the University of Virginia.  The University has the right to expect that such communications will be received and read by students in a timely fashion.  Official email communications are intended only to meet the academic and administrative needs of the campus community.  Official University email accounts are available for all enrolled students.  The email address for a student is: computingID@virginia.edu.  This account must be activated by the student before the University can correspond via the official email account.  When students use non Virginia.edu email accounts, it is their responsibility to make sure their UVa mail is forwarded to that account.

Activities and Organizations

Batten Student Council – The Batten Student Council represents the needs and interests of Batten School students.  It helps to enrich their academic experience by encouraging community outreach, student leadership, special events, and professional development activities.  The Council also provides opportunities for interaction among students, faculty, and alumni to foster a strong culture and close-knit Batten community.

Domestic Policy Roundtable – The Domestic Policy Roundtable was founded to give Batten School students a place outside the classroom where they could debate pressing topics in domestic policy. Topics such as education policy, health policy, energy policy, and environmental policy are all examined.  Debates are always lively but never partisan.  DPR attempts to blur the lines of party politics and determine how good policy can be sold as good politics.
 
Virginia Policy Review – The Virginia Policy Review publishes student articles about international, domestic, and regional public policy issues.  Founded by the first MPP class of the Batten School, its primary purposes include focusing the university community’s attention on current public policy issues, providing UVa  students with a journal of well-researched, readable policy analysis, and offering both undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to improve their writing, editing, and research skills.

Week-in-Review – Week-in-Review was founded within the Batten School as a deliberative discussion forum for students interested in foreign policy.  Students critically discuss current foreign policy events and their implications for the present and future geo-political state of affairs.  Week-in-Review brings speakers to Grounds several times per year to discuss their experiences in the foreign policy arena and screens documentaries relating to a wide range of hard and soft power issues.
 

Scholarships and Other Funding

Stephanie Jean-Charles Fellowship - The Stephanie Jean-Charles Memorial Fund provides fellowships to enable Batten School students to participate in internships and conduct Applied Policy Projects in non-governmental organizations serving underprivileged communities both in the US and abroad, and to support social entrepreneurial activities undertaken by groups of students to serve those same communities. 
 
The Batten School administers other funding programs to help defray the costs of summer internships and Applied Policy Projects.  Several teaching and research assistantships are also typically open to students who wish to apply. 

The Batten Student Council manages a Professional Development Grant Program to support student professional development activities that are non-course related.

Information on financial aid offered by the Batten School is available directly from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

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