The MPA program seeks to include individuals from many different backgrounds. A majority of students have had undergraduate degrees in the social sciences, especially in political science, but applicants have been accepted with many other majors, ranging from business to English to engineering. The program admits up to 25 students per year, with minority groups, women, and foreign nationals well represented. We encourage ethnic and racial diversity in the program. Prospective graduate students are expected to have a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average during their last two years and are required to take the Graduate Record Examination.
Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate a clear commitment to public service.
Undergraduates are encouraged to take courses in American government and politics, public administration, principles of economics, statistics, and accounting. Applicants with inadequate preparation in any of these areas will be required to take courses in those areas and may face some restrictions on when they are able to enroll in certain MPA core courses. Specific conditions for admission are explained in the letter from the MPA Director in which the student is notified of admission to the program. The Graduate Catalog lists application deadlines for each semester and session. Given the scheduling of courses, completion of all degree requirements in a two-year period cannot be guaranteed for students starting in the spring or summer semesters.