Regional Analysis and Public Policy Program
The Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy (IRAPP) was established in January 1999 as MSU's Program of Distinction, as designated by the Council on Postsecondary Education. IRAPP's two divisions (Academic Programs and Applied Research, Service and Policy) integrate teaching, applied research and public service activities to address issues, including economic development, that significantly affect east Kentucky, Appalachia and rural America in general.
IRAPP offers a track in conjunction with the undergraduate government major that includes a unifying core of six courses in regional analysis and public policy (RAPP). RAPP students learn to examine real world issues that affect peoples' social, economic, political, and ecological lives. IRAPP also offers a minor that is open to students in all programs.
IRAPP's Division of Applied Research, Service, and Policy includes the Center for Virtual Appalachia, Center for Regional Biodiversity, Center for Community and Economic Development, Center for Environmental Education, Commonwealth Security Studies Laboratory, Institute for Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations, the Training Resource Center and the Statesmanship Center. IRAPP's research and outreach centers bring students and faculty together with citizens, local school teachers, officials, policymakers and political leaders to develop action plans and research projects that promote sustainable economic development in the region and address other issues and problems that challenge the region.
IRAPP provides students and faculty frequent opportunities to develop and apply knowledge to real-world problems. Since IRAPP's inception, students have worked with faculty in water testing, wetland development, forest fire modeling, forest inventory, comprehensive community planning, affordable housing development, intergovernmental management, federal public policy, e-commerce, wildlife management, mapping of hazardous materials flow, tourism development and health care accessibility.
For those students who wish to pursue a master's degree, IRAPP offers a Master of Public Administration. In addition, IRAPP offers a dual degree program with the University of Kentucky's Martin School of Public Policy. IRAPP students can begin working on either master's in public administration during their senior year, cutting as much as a year off the time normally required to attain both degrees. The partnership will provide students opportunities to increase their quantitative and analytical skills, work with faculty and public leaders on real world problems, and ultimately prepare them for a career in public service.
The Regional Analysis Scholars Program provides scholarship awards to students who have demonstrated scholastic excellence. Awards range from $1,000 to $6,000 per year and are based on ACT composite score and GPA. More information on IRAPP is available by contacting the Associate Dean of the School of Public Affairs, 110F Combs, Morehead, KY 40351, telephone 606-783-5419, s.lange@moreheadstate.edu.