ADMISSIONS

Applicants applying to the MPA, MUS, or Ph.D. programs must submit their complete application packet to the Graduate Admissions Office on or before the following cut-off dates: Fall - July 15; Spring - November 15, and Summer - April 15.

The USPA admissions committee evaluates the overall package of applicants.  Students applying to the Master of Public Administration program or Master of Urban Studies program must demonstrate an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from previous collegiate course work.  Applicants whose native language is not English must score a minimum of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Each MPA/MUS application must contain the following materials which are to be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• Two letters of recommendation, at least one from an academic source and one from a professional source.
• A written statement of academic and professional goals limited to 1,000 words maximum in length.
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
• Official aptitude scores on the GRE taken within the six years prior to application for admission or GRE/GMAT waiver request.

Applicants applying to the MPA or MUS program may qualify for a waiver request for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).  Applicants must present evidence that they have at least three years of managerial, supervisory, or professional level experience in a local, regional, state, federal, military or nonprofit agency.  Professional level experience involves working in an exempt position where job duties are predominantly intellectual and varied in character and discretion as opposed to routine mental, manual, mechanical, or physical work.

GRE/GMAT Waiver Form (PDF)

A student seeking admission to a USPA program should request an application from the Office of Admissions. The application should be filled out completely and returned promptly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Candidates for the doctoral program must have a master’s degree in an appropriate discipline in a program that is accredited by an appropriate specialized accrediting agency and from an institution of higher education that is regionally and/or nationally accredited.  A minimum grade point average of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) overall and in the major area of study in the master’s degree and an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); a minimum score of 500 on the verbal section is required.

Each Ph.D. application must contain the following materials which are to be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• Three letters of recommendation, at least one from an academic source and one from a professional source.
• A 1,500 word written statement of academic and professional goals.
• A statement that provides details of the applicant’s preparation in the three prerequisite competency areas (urban affairs, management, and statistics).
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
• Official aptitude scores on the GRE taken within the five years prior to application for admission.