Procedures

Students may apply to the M.P.A. program at any time during the year. Applications must be completed by the following dates:

Fall: July 1
Spring: November 1
Summer: April 1

All materials, including application forms, transcripts, letters of recommendation and supporting documentation, should be mailed to:
College of Charleston
Graduate School Office
Randolph Hall, Suite 310
Charleston, SC 29424-0001

Application Requirements for Degree-Seeking Students:

• Submit a completed application form along with a non-refundable application fee of $45
• Submit a letter of intent stating the applicant’s reasons for applying to the program, areas of interest, and career objectives.
• 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. 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). Students are not required to take an advanced (subject area) test on the GRE.
• Submit optional materials, such as undergraduate theses or term papers, samples of work projects, etc.

Minimum Admission Requirements for Degree-Seeking Students

• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) 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 Analysis for Public Administration.

NOTE: The admissions committee will carefully consider both GPA and GRE scores, as well as letters of recommendation and significant life experiences, particularly in public administration.

NOTE: International students must also fulfill the requirements listed elsewhere in the Graduate Catalog.

Requirements for 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 along with a nonrefundable application fee of $45.
• Provide verification of successful completion of an undergraduate degree with at least a 2.5 GPA.
• Receive the written permission of the director.

NOTE: Students wishing to take courses while fulfilling admission criteria (for example, waiting to take the GRE) are restricted to six hours of enrollment prior to admission.