Minimum Admission Requirements
Deadline to Submit Application
Fall Semester: July 1
Spring Semester: November 1
Summer Semester: April 1

Students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. In certain
cases, students with no prior training in the social and behavioral sciences may be required to
enroll in undergraduate courses to properly prepare themselves for graduate study in the
M.P.A. program.

Degree students

• Submit completed application form (from the Graduate Catalog) along with a nonrefundable
  application fee of $45. APPLY ONLINE (Online application fee is $35).
• Submit a letter of intent stating the applicant's reasons for applying to the program, areas
  of interest, career objectives and any other information.
• Submit an official transcript from the applicant's  undergraduate college or university. Students
  who have attended more than one undergraduate institution may be required to submit official
  transcripts from those schools.
• Submit three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic
  record and/or work  performance. References should address the student's academic ability
  and motivation to successfully complete a graduate degree.
• Submit official copy of test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).*
  *Note: Students are not required to take an advanced (subject area) test on the GRE.

Degree students are required to have:

• Minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE):
  • Those taking the test after October 2002 must submit scores for the Quantitative,
    Verbal, and Writing Assessment sections. A combined score in excess of 1000 on the
    Quantitative and Verbal sections is required.  While no specific minimum score on the
    writing assessment section is required, performance on the writing assessment section
     will be used as a factor in admissions.
• Training in basic statistics. Otherwise, students may be required to take a basic statistics
  course prior to enrolling in Research and Quantitative Methods for Public Administration.  
• Foreign students must also fulfill the requirements listed elsewhere in the Graduate Catalog.    
  
  *  Note: Students who fall marginally below the minimum criteria for their GPA or GRE scores
  may use a higher score on one to offset a lower score on the other. Students who fall below
  the minimum admission criteria who have significant life experiences, particularly in public
  administration,are also encouraged to apply.

Non-degree students

Occasionally, students may desire to take courses in the M.P.A. program but not pursue the degree. These students are
welcome to enroll in M.P.A. courses on a space-available basis as professional development students. Those seeking to enroll as
professional development students must:

*Submit a completed application form (included in the Graduate Catalog) along with a nonrefundable application fee of $45. 
($35 if applying online).
*Provide verification of successful completion of an undergraduate degree with at least a 2.5 G.P.A.
*Students wishing to take courses while fulfilling admission criteria (for example, waiting to take the GRE) are restricted to
six hours enrollment prior to admission.

 Part-Time Students

Degree-seeking students may attend on a part-time basis. All students must finish their degree within five years of their
official acceptance, however.