While specific textbook cost per course may vary, prospective students should recognize that textbooks (and sometimes other types of materials, such as but not limited to software) are a necessary input to graduate education. A typical course in the Department of Public Administration might require materials costing a total of $75 to $250 (these are estimates, not guarantees). It is essential that you obtain the required course materials at the beginning of each semester in order to have a chance at the best performance possible, and to master the competencies that will be expected of you in the workplace when you have completed your program. Not having course materials in hand is not an excuse for poor performance on course assessments, and diminishes the value of your investment of time and money in graduate education. Therefore, just as you budget in advance for your tuition and fees, you should also plan ahead for course material costs.
No. Materials assigned may vary from semester to semester even for the same course, as instructors ensure that students have access to current and appropriate material for their professional preparation. Keeping course content appropriate and up-to-date is part of our accreditation requirements and ethical responsibilities as faculty. Therefore, never assume that the same materials or editions used in some past semester will be used in an upcoming semester.
Not without asking the instructor first. Do not assume that if an instructor requires one edition of a textbook, you can safely substitute a different edition. Many faculty delay adopting a new edition as long as possible without compromising course content, in order to try to allow used copies to come on the market before switching. However, sooner or later we generally must switch for any course content that changes over time. There can be wide variance between editions. Pay attention to the edition/ISBN specified and if you have a question about possible substitution, ask the instructor before you buy.
The best way to minimize the cost of materials is to plan ahead and contact instructors before a given semester begins to find out what textbook(s) or other materials will be used in that course, leaving yourself time to obtain them in a cost-effective manner. Rental and e-book options are often available as well as used copies, so an early start in getting the book makes it easier to keep costs down. If you wait till the last minute, you risk paying more and also having to pay for expedited shipping if you are buying the material online.
If the course schedule is available online already, you can look there for the instructor’s name and then look up their contact information in our College directory. If you cannot determine the instructor of a course you are taking in order to inquire about the required materials in advance, please contact the department chair.
creation date: 2015.10.15
edit date: 2023.10.16