SPEA MASTER’S PROGRAMS
Service Corps
Description
The School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) is proud to host the Service Corps Program, which provides professional opportunities for students to apply the advanced skillset they gain in any one of the School’s nationally recognized master’s degrees. Through this innovative program, Service Corps Fellows are able to contribute to the civic and service needs of the community. This is achieved through a collaboration between SPEA, Indiana University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA), and valued community partners across the nonprofit and public sectors. Candidates are considered for Service Corps only after they are offered admission to one of SPEA’s master’s degree programs that include a: Master of Public Affairs (MPA); Master of Science in Environmental Science (MSES); and distinctive, dual MPA-MSES that fully integrates science and policy in an expedited academic design (5 semesters).
MASTERS PROGRAM OFFICE • SPEA 260 • 1315 East Tenth St. • Bloomington, IN 47405
Structure
Michael Wurzbacher MPA 2014 Economic Development, Policy Analysis President, Student Economic Development Association Undergraduate institution: University of Kentucky
Service Corps Fellows work approximately 12 hours per week at assigned public and nonprofit organizations, agencies, and/ or departments and participate in professional development sessions. Service Corps has an active Advisory Board comprised of faculty, staff, and community stakeholders. The Masters Program Office (MPO) administers the program under the direction of the Director of Graduate Student Services and the coordination of two student community coordinators — one assigned to the Nonprofit Corps and one assigned to the Public Corps.
Benefits
The greatest benefit of SPEA’s Service Corps Program is the opportunity to gain work experience that enhances the Service Corps Fellows’ academic training in SPEA’s master’s degree programs. Fellows also make valuable contributions to the community through their service while expanding their professional skillset. Fellows receive an attractive financial package, including partial tuition remission and an hourly wage in exchange for a 12-hour-per-week work assignment. In total, the financial incentives for Fellows currently range from $8,510 to $12,084, based on residency status.
Eligibility
Internships: Mayor’s Office, City of Cincinnati; Planning Department, City of Providence Service Corps placement: Bloomington Economic Development Corporation Current placement: Associate, Grant Thornton, LLP “SPEA is much more than an academic institution… it represents a community where faculty, staff and students take active roles in creating an environment that employs academic rigor and experiential learning to develop leaders prepared to address some of the world’s most pressing policy issues. In particular, I was able to leverage my Service Corps Fellow position in a regional economic development corporation to forge impactful relationships that have ultimately helped me develop as a professional and, now, work across sectors as a consultant with a major firm in Washington, DC.”
Service Corps Fellows are selected on a competitive basis. Decisions are based upon the candidate’s academic record, letters of reference, personal statement, and résumé. As a Federal Work Study (FWS) Program, candidates must demonstrate eligibility via FAFSA qualification. Once designated as a Service Corps Fellow, the student must maintain a cumulative 3.4 grade point average, maintain enrollment in SPEA as a full-time student, meet academic criteria, and adhere to all program requirements.
p: 800-765-7755 or 812-855-2840
speainfo@indiana.edu
f: 812-856-3665
www.spea.indiana.edu
Placement
Ultimately, it is expected that Service Corps Fellows will enhance and hone their skillsets and continue to develop as leaders. The program reinforces academic preparation through experiential opportunities in both public and nonprofit assignments. Some examples of placements include:
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MASTERS PROGRAM OFFICE • SPEA 260 • 1315 East Tenth St. • Bloomington, IN 47405
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City of Bloomington: Department of Economic & Sustainable Business Development Sustainability Fellow Collaborate with City officials to promote sustainability through proposal development, grant research, monitoring progress and compliance, and community outreach. City of Bloomington: Department of Human Resources Fellow Research, design, and implement several programs such as an early retirement incentives, enterprise-wide cell phone policy, and online employee benefits enrollment. IU Office of Sustainability: Energy and Built Environment Coordinator Conduct research, assist with strategic planning, and develop and implement programs that support the goals of the Energy & Built Environment Campus Working Group. Monroe County: Highway Department Fellow Improve the quality of water in Bloomington’s receiving streams by auditing stormwater quality management program and increasing public awareness of county-wide campaigns. Monroe County: Planning Department Fellow Conduct and enhance the on-going watershed characterization project involving biological field work, GIS data development, report generation, and public presentations.
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Girls, Inc: Fund Development Fellow Develop and implement a viable planned giving campaign and coordinate donor appreciation events and donor stewardship system. IU Health Positive Link: Evaluation Coordinator Collect, input, and analyze data to ensure compliance with grant contracts, capture program outcomes, and monitor ongoing evaluation. Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard: Development Fellow Expand donor awareness about the organization’s programs and build diverse funding streams through community collaboration, donor cultivation, and grants. Sycamore Land Trust: Outreach and Stewardship Fellow Assist with fundraising, awareness-raising, property management, and volunteer recruitment. Volunteers in Medicine: Health and Wellness Program Coordinator Design, develop, implement, and evaluate health and wellness programming for a free medical clinic for patients who lack health insurance or the means to pay for healthcare services.
Contact Information School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) Masters Program Office (MPO) 1315 E. 10th Street Bloomington, IN 47405 812.855.2840
For More Information Please email speainfo@indiana.edu.
© August 2014
Nikki Wooten, MPA 2014 Policy Analysis Service Corps placement: Farmer’s Market Fellow, City of Bloomington Department of Parks & Recreation Current placement: Hydroponics Project Development Manager, South Central Community Action Program