Frequently Asked Questions

The University’s commitment to the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) precludes any student graduating from a university degree program in less than one year. Students may take as long as five years to complete the program. Most students complete the program in 20 months, completing one course each 8-week term.

Students may apply to the program at any time. The Directed Study MPA program has three start dates each year. Students enrolled in the Independent Study MPA program have six start dates a year. The most current information about start dates can be found on the Academic Calendar on our website.

Yes, students may apply to transfer up to a total of 15 credits from comparable coursework completed at approved institutions. Applicants seeking transfer credit must pay the $55 Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee and include official transcripts and course descriptions with their application to the program.

No. Students are enrolled in an average of 6 credits each semester. However, a student who elects not to complete the program or enroll in additional semesters has no financial obligation to the university beyond the current semester.

No. Academic and administrative procedures are carefully designed so that students can complete all requirements for graduation entirely online without unreasonably disrupting their professional or family lives.

Computer requirements are detailed in the Academic Catalog. Basic knowledge of a program such as Word® is required to complete lesson assignments. Internet access is necessary to utilize Moodle™ and the electronic library. An email address is necessary to effectively communicate with university personnel and fellow students – a Taft University email is not provided to students.

Students are required to pass proctored assessments and examinations throughout the program. The exams can be proctored online by ProctorU under the supervision of a web camera and microphone – or students can select a member of the Consortium of College Testing Centers (CCTC). CCTC offers proctoring services at over 250 locations throughout the United States.

The University provides all students with independent online research tools to assist in performing coursework through the Library & Information Resources Network (LIRN) Virtual Library Collection. LIRN is an extensive collection of scholarly information, sources, and reference titles from a variety of databases.

Yes. Students enrolled in the Directed Study MPA program may be eligible to receive Title IV loans.

Yes. Many students are eligible for financial aid through employer tuition reimbursement programs and/or Taft University’s Partners in Professional Education (PIPE) program. Additionally, the University offers a no-interest payment plan, which permits students to pay 30% of the semester’s tuition at the time of enrollment and the remaining balance over a three-month period. Other financing sources or scholarship opportunities may also be available via the website’s Scholarships & Grants page.

William Howard Taft University, through The Taft University System, participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. The loans that students may receive are Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and/or Federal Direct Grad Plus Loans. Additional information may be found on the United States Department of Education’s website.

All applicants should review the Consumer Information Guide, which is posted on the University’s website. Topics such as loan limits, entrance and exit counseling, cost of attendance, and the timing of the disbursements are explained in detail.

Tuition for the MPA program is $315 per credit hour and the program represents 30 credits. There are many factors that are required to determine the amount of Federal Student Aid that may be available to an individual. The University recommends that students request Federal Student Aid that will cover only their direct cost of attendance. When it is time to package a student’s Federal Student Aid Loan Award, our Financial Aid Office will contact the student to discuss options, calculate specific need, and award what is allowed under the Department of Education guidelines.

All applicants should review the cost of attendance information listed under this program in our Consumer Information Guide. The amount a student may borrow will be determined upon the Financial Aid Office’s review of a student’s Application for Admission and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information.

After a student has applied for admissions the student will receive an email from the Financial Aid Office with detailed instructions. The Financial Aid Office will assist with determining eligibility, entrance counseling, signing a master promissory note, and the preparation of a packaged award.

For your convenience, the link to the FAFSA website is: https://www.StudentLoans.gov/ and our School Code is G41004. You will need to complete and submit a current FAFSA form to the Department of Education. The Federal Award Year is from July 1st through June 30th. Select the appropriate FAFSA for the start date that you have chosen.

Once you have done this, your FAFSA information will be sent to the University’s mailbox. This takes two to three days. The University will need this information to begin your Federal Student Aid process.

Admissions Representatives are available to establish no interest installment payment options for students. In general, a student is required to pay 30% of the semester tuition at the start of the semester with three additional payments scheduled to cover the balance. A student must pay the cost of tuition for a semester prior to beginning the next semester.