BACKGROUND

IPA played a major role in the development of the Master of Public Administration Program in 1976 and since then has given its primary support to this program. Many IPA staff members hold faculty appointments and teach regularly in the MPA and Ph.D. programs of the School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy (SUAPP), and a number of tenure-track faculty members hold productive staff appointments in IPA. IPA also manages a strong internship and career development program for SUAPP. IPA supports more than 30 graduate and undergraduate research assistants who receive competitive stipends and tuition assistance for their work on a wide-range of projects. These dynamic projects include legislative research for the Delaware General Assembly, healthcare policy analysis, technical support to small towns in Delaware, assistance through a program in conflict resolution, water resources research, and leadership training. IPA research assistants also conduct research for public policy forums relating to infrastructure planning, technology, education reform, and economic development. In addition, some students become involved in international development activities centering on local government planning and finance.