Admitted Student Information

Incoming fall students in the MDP, MHR, MPP, MS-STEP, and MURP programs will be notified of their faculty advisor assignments before the end of June. 

You will receive information on how to sign up for our Mentor Program in mid- to late August. This program links Humphrey School students with local alumni who share their professional interests. You will receive access to a short online training to complete prior to signing up.

Please consider registering for PA5910: Developing Your Public Service Career, our one-credit class developed especially for you! Assistant Director Amber Bieneck Thom teaches this class, and it is a great way to learn about potential career paths and ensure that you focus on your job or internship search fall semester. It also helps you to develop the tools you need for your whole career. Students find it is a great way to keep themselves accountable to work on their networking or job/internship searches throughout the semester. Since Amber is arranging a number of alumni panels, you will also end the class with more than 12 alumni contacts and receive advice and information from each of them. This class is appropriate for both first-year and second-year students from all Humphrey School programs. Register while there is still room and let us know if you have questions.

Internships provide excellent opportunities for all students and are required for the MHR, MPP, and MURP degrees. This internship must be:

a) a minimum of 200 hours

b) primarily professional-level work, and

c) related to the student's academic focus and career goals

To get ideas for planning your internship or for more information on the requirement, visit our internship FAQ page. In addition, you will receive an email in mid- to late August about an  internship planning workshop where you can ask questions and learn more about the internship requirement.

Our expectation is that students apply with the intention of enrolling in the fall semester. 

Admitted applicants may request a one-year deferral of their admission. Requests for deferrals are considered on a case-by-case basis. Deferral requests must be submitted using the online deferral form. If a one-year deferral is granted, the student must: 

• Complete the online Enrollment Form by indicating "Yes"
• Plan to resubmit an updated personal statement and resume directly to the Director of Admissions by merit-based aid consideration deadlines (either December 15 or January 15) in order to be considered for aid in the following year, and by April 1, for all other applicants.

Deferred applicants will receive a request to submit their updated materials during the next fall application season.

Contact International Student and Scholar Services.

All incoming Humphrey School students have a new student hold on their accounts until pre-registration activities have taken place. In May, you'll receive information on how to access online orientation activities as well as information on your first-semester registration. Registration for incoming students begins on June 15.

Orientation for incoming students will be held Monday, August 28–Friday, September 1, 2023. 

This is a tentative schedule and is subject to change. We will continue to update this area as details become available so check back often. The final schedule, including required registration for some events, will be available by the end of July.

International Students, find resources from International Student and Scholar Services HERE.

Student organizations will have activities planned throughout the week.

Monday, August 28
Welcome to the Humphrey Community!

Registration Required

• 9:00-9:45am Check-in/Continental Breakfast with guests - Joan and Walter Mondale Commons
• 10:00-10:30am Welcome from Dean Nisha Botchwey - Cowles Auditorium
• 10:30-11:15am Tools for Humphrey Success - Cowles Auditorium
• 11:30am-12:30pm Community Lunch - Joan and Walter Mondale Commons
• 12:45-2:45pm Equity & Inclusion Council Keynote Event - Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Forum, Stassen Room, and external spaces
  See the Keynote event flyer for information about this activity.
  To learn about the Equity and Inclusion Council, please visit their website.
• 3:00-3:20pm Group Photo - Joan and Walter Mondale Commons
• 3:30-5:00pm PSO & PASA Tours of West Bank Campus and Cedar-Riverside Neighborhood - Lobby of HHH outside of the Humphrey Forum 
  Join for a tour of either the Humphrey School or the West Bank given by 2nd year Humphrey students. There will be tours offered on both Monday and Tuesday so you can experience both.
• 3:30-4:30pm PASA Trivia - Humphrey Forum
  Join the Public Affairs Student Association (PASA) for some fun, Humphrey School and Minnesota-themed trivia. 
• 5:00-7:00pm PASA Ice Cream Social - Humphrey Forum
  Join incoming classmates for a casual Ice Cream Social to welcome you into the Humphrey community. 

Tuesday, August 29
Welcome to Your Academic Program!

MDP Program Meetings 8:30am-3:45pm
See the MDP Handbook for details.

MHR Program Meetings 9:00am-5:00pm
Starting location: Social Sciences Building, Room 710
See information received from your program for additional details.

MPP Program Meetings - RSVP and lunch preference link
• 12:00-1:00 pm  Casual Lunch for MPP and MURP students and faculty - Outdoors (rain site Joan and Walter Mondale Commons)
• 1:00-3:30pm  MPP Program Meetings - Humphrey Forum

MS-STEP Program Meetings 9:00am-3:00pm
Location: Josie Johnson Room
See information received from your program for additional details.

MURP Program Meetings - RSVP and lunch preference link
• 9:30am-12:00pm  MURP Program Meetings - Humphrey Forum
• 12:00-1:00 pm  Casual Lunch for MPP and MURP students and faculty - Outdoors (rain site Joan and Walter Mondale Commons)

Ph.D. Orientation 9:00am-2:30pm
Location: Wilkins Room (9:00-10:30am, 2:00-2:30pm)

3:30-5:00pm  PSO & PASA Tours of West Bank Campus and Cedar-Riverside Neighborhood - Lobby of HHH outside of the Humphrey Forum 
Join for a tour of either the Humphrey School or the West Bank given by 2nd year Humphrey students. There will be tours offered on both Monday and Tuesday so you can experience both.

Wednesday, August 30
Student Organizations; some Academic Programs continued

MDP Program Meetings 9:00am-3:00pm
See the MDP Handbook for details.

Ph.D. Orientation 10:00am-2:00pm
Location: Josie Johnson Room (10:00-11:30am)

Student Organizations Events 9:30am-4:00pm - Humphrey Forum

• 9:30-9:45am  Casual welcome and Q&A with 2nd year students - Humphrey Forum
• 9:45-10:15am  Student Conflict Resolution Center (SCRC) presentation - Humphrey Forum
• 10:15-11:00 am  PASA’s Guide to Grad School - Humphrey Forum
  This session is full of tips, tricks, and essential information to know before you launch your Humphrey Journey. We'll go over some general information and then open it up for a Q&A at the end of the session.
• 11:00am-12:00pm First Generation Student Panel - Humphrey Forum
  Representatives from the Humphrey Students of Color Association (HSOCA) will lead a panel discussion with first generation students to share experiences and give advice. All are welcome! 
• 12:00-1:00 pm  Lunch on your own
• 1:00-2:00 pm  Technology Orientation - Humphrey Forum
  We will provide an introduction to a variety of platforms and applications Humphrey students utilize regularly and provide resources and tools to support the transition into Grad School. This will be a casual opportunity to learn and practice new skills and familiarize yourself with a new digital space. Please register and complete this survey if you plan to attend. 
• 2:00-3:00pm  Student Organization World Cafe - Humphrey Forum
  Join representatives from the Public Affairs Student Association (PASA); Humphrey Students of Color Association (HSOCA); Humphrey International Student Association (HISA); Planning Student Organization (PSO); Humphrey Public Affairs Review (HPAR); and Gender, Sexuality, Policy Event Committee (GSPEC) at our world cafe! Each organization will give a brief overview of what their organizations do on campus.
• 3:00-4:00pm  Student Social - Humphrey Forum
  All students are invited back to campus to meet one another and engage in community building, conversation, and casual networking to build connections between first and second year students. Information on the Humphrey Buddy Program will be provided. We will start in the Humphrey Forum, then wander over via the Green Line to Malcolm Yards for the 4-6pm happy hour coordinated by PSO.
• 4:00-6:00pm  PSO Bike (or light rail) Ride to Malcolm Yards!
  Get a taste of the Twin Cities food and drink scene at Malcolm Yards Food Hall! PSO invites everyone, regardless of program, to join us in taking a leisurely bike ride across the river to grab a bite to eat as a midweek pick me up! Dietary restrictions? No problem! Malcolm Yards has plenty of food options for those who are vegan, vegetarian or gluten free. Don't own a bike? Also not a problem- you can find e-bikes and scooters close to campus. Don't want to bike? We will also have a group heading over to Malcolm Yards using the MTC Light Rail System (yay public transit!). Meet in front of the Humphrey School.
   

Thursday, August 31
Career Success Workshops; some Academic Programs continued

MDP Program Meetings and Social 9:00am-2:00pm, 5:30-8:30pm
See the MDP Handbook

Career Success Workshops

• 11:30 am-1:30 pm - Humphrey Forum Registration Required
• 11:30am-12:30pm Pizza lunch and Building Professional Connections: Your Key to Career Success
• 12:30-1:30pm Planning for your Internship, Taking your Resume to the Next Level
   

Ph.D. Orientation
See information received from your program for details.

Friday, September 1

• 10:00am-12:00pm HISA Orientation - Josie Johnson Room 
  A comprehensive introduction to the vibrant HISA community. During this event, we will share invaluable tips and advice, facilitate ice-breaker activities, provide opportunities for mix-and-mingling, and much more! 
  Get ready to embark on an incredible journey of learning, connection, and adventure with HISA! 
  Please kindly scan the QR code in this poster or follow this link to confirm your participation so we can provide enough food and accommodate any dietary restrictions.
• 12:00-1:00pm HISA Lunch - details to come

Saturday, September 2

• 9am to 1pm: Great Minnesota Get Together - Snelling and Hoyt-Nebraska A Line stop (This is where the bike racks are and there’s parking close by if you arrive early)
  Join us for the Minnesota State Fair and become acquainted with a rich part of Minnesota history and cultural heritage leading up to Labor Day. Let’s experience the 70-pound butter sculptures and all types of deep fried foods. Students are responsible for purchasing their own tickets. Purchasing beforehand is highly recommended for entry and wait times. Feel free to stay and explore more on your own afterwards. You won’t regret it.

    Please fill out this interest form if you plan to attend.

Location and directions to the Humphrey School of Public Affairs: Not sure how to get here or where to park? We've got you covered!

Parking and transportation information: Learn about where to park, where you can lock your bike, public transportation, and more!

Getting your U Card: All Humphrey School community members are asked to carry their U Cards at all times to allow access to campus buildings. If you need a U Card, you can upload your photo and pick up your card at the U Card office.

Canvas courses: Some professors will send you email invitations to join their Canvas course; other times, you will just see the course when you click on "My Courses." Note that courses are not visible until the faculty member publishes them, and not all courses are published yet. 

Humphrey School Building Access

Public Hours: Some campus facilities are open to the public during Public Hours without the
need for a U Card. Not all University buildings have Public Hours. During Public Hours the
exterior doors to buildings are unlocked.

As with other UMNTC buildings, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs does not have regularly scheduled Public Hours. The exterior doors may be unlocked for Conference Center events that are planned for the public.

University Hours: All active faculty, staff, and students are granted U Card access during
University Hours to most UMTC buildings. During University Hours the exterior doors to the
building are locked and require an active U Card swipe for entry.

University Hours for the Humphrey School of Public Affairs building are:
M-F: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sat: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

During these times exterior doors to the building are locked but will open with a swipe of your active U Card.

Humphrey School Privileges: Areas requiring restrictive control for security reasons are not
always accessible during Public or University Hours. Restricted privileges to interior doors are
granted by the Humphrey School and must be requested. Interior doors to restricted areas are locked 24/7 on holidays, breaks, and after regular business hours.

The 130 office areas and the front desk at the Humphrey School are unlocked from
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on normal business days during the semester. You will not need a U Card
during these times.

For emergencies, or if you have a U Card and an immediate need for access to the Humphrey
School building and your U Card is not working, contact the Public Safety Emergency
Communications Center (PSECC) at 612-626-3680.

To apply for U Card Humphrey School Privileges to restricted interior doors please fill out the form at: z.umn.edu/hhhaccess

Small Group Meeting Spaces

For a list of study spaces and meeting rooms, see Find Study Space in the Technology Services page. The Humphrey School also manages four student learning spaces, which include lab devices, printers, and bring-your-own device stations. These spaces are located in Humphrey 40, 80, 85, and 290. For more information on these spaces, see Student Learning Spaces."

Other Important Information

• Important dates and deadlines
• University of Minnesota Libraries
• Boynton Health
• Disability Resource Center (DRC)
• Student Counseling Services
• Student Mental Health
• Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education (Sexual Assault, Relationship Violence, Stalking)
• Office for Equity and Diversity