Master's Degree in Public Housing Offered

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo and University ofMaryland President C.D. Mote Jr. announced today that the University’s School of Public Affairs will join with HUD to offer a master’s of public policy in public housing administration. The pilot program will accept from 20-25 candidates for classes beginning in January 2001. To be considered for the program, a candidate must have: graduated from a four-year college or university with at least a 3.0 grade point average; five years of public housing experience; have promotion potential there or at HUD; and agree to work for the public housing authority currently employing the candidate for three years upon completion of the program. HUD will pay the estimated $21,500 cost of tuition, fees and books for 20-25 candidates in the program. HUD’s contribution will be structured as a forgivable loan, with one- third of the obligation retired after each of the three successive years that the candidate works for a housing authority following completion of the degree.