April 11, 2016
Dear MPA students:
Greetings to those of you who are current students, and a warm welcome to those of you who are just
joining the MPA program. If you are a newly admitted student in the MPA program, you will receive a
welcome packet from the School of Management shortly.
This letter aims to share with you the latest news and reminders regarding the MPA program and provide
the necessary steps to follow in enrolling in your summer and fall courses.
We provide FOUR opportunities for students to obtain pertinent registration and program information.
These materials are sent by (1) postal mail to each student’s address of record and (2) email to each
student’s Marist Foxmail account. In addition, the information is available on the (3) MPA iLearn site,
and (4) the Web at www.marist.edu/gradmpa. Click on the tab “MPA Current Semester Schedule.” With
these four delivery methods, it is now up to you to know the opportunities, policies and procedures.
Follow 4 easy steps for an easy, accurate way to enroll in your summer and fall 2016 courses.
Step 1:
Read the Summer/Fall 2016 Registration Information Guide. It provides important details
including how to register, dates for dropping a course and making financial arrangements.
It is important to review this Guide before you register as this information reflects
changes from previous editions.
Step 2:
Refer to the Curriculum Map which shows the best sequencing of courses to follow.
Make sure to follow the map since any deviations may affect your progression through
the program and possible graduation date.
Step 3:
See the Course Offerings to select the class or classes you wish to take for each round.
To select the appropriate courses, you need to know which section you are in based on
when you started the program. You will need the “Course Request Number” (CRN) from
this handout when you register online.
Step 4:
Register for both your summer and fall round 1 AND round 2 courses online.
If, upon registering, you get the error message “student attribute restriction”, you
probably tried to enroll in an ineligible course (e.g., a course for students in New York
City when you take your courses online). Go back to Step 3, the Course Offerings, and
get the correct CRN. If you still encounter difficulties, or wish to take a course in NYC,
let us know by emailing gradmgt@marist.edu.
KEY DATES
Please refer to the Registration Guide for all important summer and fall 2016 dates. Important details to
keep in mind when reviewing these dates are:

There is no Add/Drop period once the registration period closes.

Make sure that you registered for both round 1 and round 2 courses because this is the only time
you can register for the semester even if it is a round 2 course.

Payment or payment arrangements must be made with Student Financial Services prior to the
course starting. Failure to complete payment will result in automatic de-registration from any
enrolled summer and fall course or courses. The Registration Guide will outline the reinstatement
process, should you be de-registered.
REMINDERS
Following are important reminders for establishing a concentration, obtaining on-going information about
the program and finding your academic advisor.
Declaring a Concentration. If you have not yet declared your concentration and want to do so, please
email gradmgt@Marist.edu from your Marist email account and let us know which concentration you
want. Make sure to include your Marist identification (CWID) number. A concentration will only show
up on your transcript if you declare it.
For more information on Concentrations and the descriptions of the courses that comprise each
Concentration, see “MPA Concentrations” under the Resources tab on the MPA iLearn site.
There is no risk in declaring a concentration. If you complete the requisite courses, your transcript will
make note of this accomplishment. If you declare a concentration but do not complete it, any courses
taken will show up as electives on your Degree Audit. If you change your mind as to which concentration
you wish to pursue, you simply need to let the School of Management know. To confirm a concentration
declaration you have made earlier, check to see that it is listed toward the top, right-hand side of your
Degree Audit.
Remember, no one is required to select a concentration; the option is available for those interested in
focusing their course work in a particular area.
MPA iLearn Site. To facilitate communications and the sharing of information, an iLearn site exists for
students in the MPA program. On it you will find helpful resources such as orientation, curriculum and
registration materials under the Resources tab. The calendar provides important dates such as the open
enrollment period and course withdrawal dates.
Let us know if you can’t find “MPA” in your iLearn workspace by emailing gradmgt@Marist.edu.
Faculty Advisor. Your first contact person for assistance is your MPA advisor, whose name is listed in
the welcome packet sent to you upon admission to the program, and on “Degree Works” within the
my.marist.edu site (see the Registration Guide for accessing your advisor’s name and audit). Your
academic advisor is eager to answer any program questions you have, trouble-shoot problems, and assist
with career planning. Please consult with your advisor as needed; they want to help.
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QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS?
The School of Management staff are eager to address your questions or concerns. Please email
gradmgt@Marist.edu if you need assistance with registration problems or any other administrative
matters. Always use your Marist email account when contacting us and include your Marist
identification number (CWID); we will not respond otherwise since your Marist account is the only
way we have of verifying that it is you with whom we are talking.
Sincerely,
James Melitski, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration
Associate Professor
School of Management
Marist College
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