Scholarships, Assistantships, and Awards

The Ogle/Cameron Scholarship

Funded by the generosity of a highly accomplished alumna of the program, the Ogle/Cameron Scholarship aims to support students who demonstrate successful academic excellence, professional and scholarly promise, and commitment to local government public service.

The Robert S. Freeman Scholarship

These scholarships recognize an MPPA student for academic excellence, professional promise and accomplishment, and commitment to a professional career in public administration, urban planning, or public policy. New applicants and students who have at least one semester of work remaining in the MPPA program and who are not currently receiving a graduate fee waiver are eligible to apply.

The Freeland Diversity Scholarship

Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, self-identify as members of an underrepresented ethnic/racial group, have strong academic potential, have a commitment to public service, and contribute to the diversity of the MPPA student body may apply for an MPPA Diversity Scholarship to help pay for graduate student fees. This award can be renewed provided the student meets faculty expectations for academic progress and performance.

The Institute for Public Service (IPS)-MPPA Graduate Assistantship

The IPS-MPPA Graduate Assistantship includes full fee waivers and a monthly stipend in return for part-time work performed for the UT IPS.  Desired attributes of applicants include strong academic potential, excellent  communication skills (writing and verbal), an excellent work ethic, commitment to ethical public service, a special interest in local government administration and policies, and ability to contribute to the diversity of the MPPA student body. May be renewed for a second year provided the student meets IPS & faculty expectations.

The Cunningham Award for Service and Professional Promise

These awards are funded by the earnings from the endowed Millie and Robert Cunningham Fund to advance excellence in public administration and to recognize MPPA students who model academic excellence, exemplary performance in an internship or service learning project, and/or outstanding service to a relevant professional organization such as ET-ASPA or the UT-ICMA.

UT MPPA Fellow in Professional Practice

This honor is bestowed on accomplished and experienced professionals who are skilled communicators and whose career exhibits the highest standards of performance excellence in one or more subject matter specializations. Recipients have demonstrated a long term commitment to help advance the professional training and development of graduate students in public administration, public policy, and public affairs at the University of Tennessee. This honor is conferred by vote of the MPPA faculty and signifies the faculty's appreciation for and the enduring value of the contributions made by distinguished professionals to the educational mission of the University of Tennessee MPPA program.