SPP Team Effort Yields 61 Percent Increase in Student Applications

The School of Public Policy (SPP) is celebrating a significant increase in student applications for its MPA program. As of the first application deadline (February 1), SPP received 61 percent more applications than it received last year. "It was a team effort," explained Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Administration and Finance Edward Branagan.

Spearheading the SPP team is Founding Dean Wolfgang H. Reinicke who made seven recruitment trips in fall 2014, visiting 25 universities and colleges where he met with hundreds of prospective students. "I actually enjoyed these trips," explained Reinicke. "I of course hoped that the students I met would apply to the School, but I was also really interested to hear from them about the issues that matter to them, and the type of public policy program they want to attend. We're still building this School so their input is particularly valuable."

Reinicke went on to note that he sensed a growing interest in studying public policy everywhere he went, and so was not surprised that there have been significant increases in student applications for all CEU public policy programs this year. "We're looking forward to the fall when all public policy programs will be offered through the School," he said.

In addition to a dramatic increase in the number of applications, there has also been an increase in the School's global reach. "Last year we received applications from 56 countries; already this year, we have received applications from 74 countries," said Branagan.

It is not too late to apply for fall 2015: April 1 is the deadline to qualify for full and partial CEU tuition scholarships.