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Professional Development Course
Professional Development in International/Public Affairs is a half credit course that is mandatory for all MIA and MPA students. The class is offered in the fall semester only and should be taken in your first year at SIPA. The course is offered by the Office of Career Services (OCS) and teaches skills needed to compete effectively in the international and public affairs job markets. Topics such as resumes, cover letters, job search tactics, successful interviewing, networking, and salary negotiation are covered in the course.
Waivers of the course may be secured in very limited cases. You may be eligible for a waiver if you:
- are on leave from your current job
- are accepted in a doctoral program (acceptance letter is required); or
- have worked on a full-time, professional basis for a minimum of four years in a field relevant to your concentration and career goals
All students requesting a waiver must complete a Professional Development Class Waiver Form available online or in hard copy in OCS, Room 420. The form must be submitted to OCS together with a current resume and a copy of your SIPAlink Profile page. Once reviewed, OCS will contact you regarding your waiver status.
If you are granted a waiver, we recommend that you make an appointment with a counselor at OCS to review your resume and job search strategy.