Admission Process

Priority Admission Deadlines

Priority consideration for admission will be given to applicants who meet the deadlines below. In order to meet the deadlines, 1) all of the application steps listed in the above paragraph must be completed, and 2) all admission requirements must be satisfied.

Deadline Dates:

Fall Quarter: September 1st
Winter Quarter: December 15th
Spring Quarter: March 1st
Summer Quarter: June 1st

---

Admission Requirements

Based on the standards described below, students are admitted upon the recommendation of the director of PADM. The director’s recommendation will be sent to the Dean of Graduate Studies. That dean will then notify the student, in writing, of his/her admission or rejection. Applicants may seek admission on the basis of:

1. Their bachelor’s degree work,
2. Completion of another master’s degree, or
3. Their work experience (if they can demonstrate a least 10 years of progressive responsibility in a related profession).

Admission procedures and requirements are the same for the MPA degree and the certificate programs.

---

Admission Based on Undergraduate Academic Performance

Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at an appropriately accredited institution may be admitted to the Graduate Program in Public Administration based on the following criteria:

• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 90 graded credits of post-secondary coursework (or its equivalent as computed by the Graduate Studies Office); or
• Recommendation of the director based upon a successful appeal by the student. (This appeals process will be utilized only for students who do not have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.)

Students seeking to utilize this appeals process must directly request reconsideration by the director. In considering that request the director will consider such information as:

1. A resume;
2. Letters of recommendation;
3. A combined verbal and quantitative score of 1000 and analytical writing score of 3 on the GRE;
4. A GMAT score of at least 500 and/or
5. Successful completion of up to 12 credits in PADM courses with a minimum GPA in those courses of at least 3.30.

Note: GRE/GMAT scores are not required for admission, but can be considered during the appeals process.

---

Admission Based on Another Master’s Degree

A student may also be admitted to PADM with proof of possession of another valid master’s degree.

---

Admission Based on Work Experience

Applicants with at least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration may also be offered regular admission. Admission is based on the following:

1. Evidence of having obtained a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution.
2. An essay demonstrating critical thinking skills.
3. A statement of intent demonstrating a level of knowledge and intellectual maturity appropriate to the proposed field of graduate study.
4. Evidence of professional success in Public Administration.

---

English Language Requirement

All students from non-English-speaking countries must provide evidence of English language proficiency before being admitted to the program. This requirement may be satisfied by presenting a TOEFL score of 580 (237 CBT) or its equivalent. A student with a TOEFL score between 550 and 580 may be admitted conditionally. In such cases, the student must have a program of English language study approved by the director in consultation with the International Education office before the student can register for classes.

Students with TOEFL scores of 525 to 550, (197-213 CBT), may be admitted to the University as post-baccalaureate students. As post-baccalaureate students, they may register for classes and demonstrate their ability to do the work required of MPA students. Note: no more than 12 pre-admission credits can be counted toward a graduate degree. The program director will determine whether they should be granted admission to the program based in part upon their work as post-baccalaureate students.