MPA Admissions

Follow a link below for specific MPA admissions information, or scroll down for all information:

• General Information
• Application Materials
• Foreign Applicants and Non-U.S. Citizens
    

General Information

Applicants to the MPA program should submit their application by April 15. International applicants should submit their application for admission by February 1.

Earlier application is advisable (particularly for persons seeking financial aid). The entering class begins coursework in August at the start of the Fall semester. The program does not offer Spring admission.

Because admission standards are high, applicants to the MPA program must display impressive credentials. Minimum requirements include a 3.0 grade point average in undergraduate coursework. Particular emphasis is placed on upper-level undergraduate and prior graduate-level academic performance.

Degree candidates need not have significant prior experience in public administration or public policy. Quantitative, analytical, and verbal skills, however, are required of all MPA students given the rigorous nature of the program. Students must demonstrate aptitude in these areas by prior academic record and/or adequate performance on standardized test, i.e., the GRE.

The GRE is required. A score in the sixtieth percentile is usually the minimum acceptable. The University of Arizona's institution code is 4832.

For information on GRE test dates and locations, contact:

GRE - Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 966
Princeton, New Jersey 08541
Phone: (609) 771-7670
www.gre.org

Because ethnic, national and gender diversity enriches the program of study for all students, the School of Public Administration and Policy encourages minority group members to apply for professional graduate study. The School has had the opportunity to award minority fellowships in the past and will continue to compete for these fellowships in the years to come. Financial aid packages in the form of scholarships, assistantships, and a pre-graduate school summer program are available for qualified minority students.

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Application Materials

The following materials are required for admission to the MPA program:

• Online Application for admission to the Graduate College.
• Official Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work including summer session work.
• Supplemental Information Form with accompanying essays.
• Resume describing relevant experiences, responsibilities and achievements.
• Three Letters of Recommendation from persons able to provide verification and a specific assessment of your professional and/or academic performance and capabilities, one of which should be an academic letter of recommendation. Two letters will be acceptable if funding is not required.
• GRE Scores

Application packets should be sent to:

MPA Admissions
School of Public Administration and Policy
Eller College of Management
McClelland Hall 405
P.O. Box 210108
The University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0108

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Foreign Applicants & Non-U.S. Citizens

In addition to admissions materials listed above, foreign applicants must submit scores of 550 or higher 550 (or a computer-based score of 213) from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A funding guarantee form is required with evidence that sufficient funds ($29,824) are available for financing the student's academic program also must be submitted.

For further information regarding other financial support, contact:

Financial Aid Office
Administration Building, Room 203
The University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066
(520) 621-5200
  

For specific MPA admissions information, contact:

Pamela Adams
Graduate Program Manager
School of Public Administration & Policy
520.621.3128
padams@eller.arizona.edu