To be considered for admission to the MPA program, students must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and must demonstrate potential for excellence in the study of public administration. MPA students come from diverse backgrounds and fields of study. Each year, 65-70 students begin their path to earning their MPA.
DEADLINES
Domestic Applicants
Fall Semester to be considered for Assistantship—January 15
Fall Semester—July 1
Summer Semester – May 1
Spring Semester – November 15
International Applicants
Fall Semester to be considered for Assistantship—January 15
Fall Semester—April 15
Spring Semester – October 15
Complete the online application located at the UGA Graduate School website and pay the required application fee, which is $75 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants.
You will be prompted to upload a resumé and statement of purpose. The statement of purpose is your opportunity to communicate to us how this program fits with your future plans. You should use this document to convey why this area of study and specifically this program are a good fit with your career and educational goals. You should also highlight your relevant experience and preparation for this program.
You will be asked to enter the email addresses of three recommenders. If you would rather submit paper letters to the department, you will need to list your name and e-mail three times in the boxes on the online application that ask for your recommenders. That way, only you will receive the electronic letter of recommendation requests, which you may delete.
Step 2: Order Official Documents to be sent to the UGA Graduate School
Transcripts
Send one unofficial transcript from all institutions attended, even if no degree was conferred and/or credits are listed on other transcripts. If accepted to the program, you will have to submit an official transcript from all institutions from which you have earned a degree.
Official Test Scores (GRE / TOEFL / IELTS)
GRE
The GRE is optional for applicants who meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Domestic and international applicants whose GPA, as calculated by the UGA Graduate School, falls at or above a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Domestic applicants with five years of work experience in the public or non-profit sector and an undergraduate GPA over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants who meet one of these requirements may request a waiver for the GRE during the application process. For more information about a GRE waiver, contact Kristin Lawrence ([email protected]).
All other applicants are required to submit official GRE scores along with their application.
- The average GRE score for incoming MPA students for 2021 was approximately 309; however, the GRE score is only one of several factors considered for admissions.
- Equally important are an applicant’s personal statement and other application materials.
TOEFL & IELTS
The departmental policy is to require TOEFL or IELTS scores from any applicant whose primary language is not English, unless that student has received a degree within the past two years from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English. The TOEFL scores can be no older than two years. For country-specific requirements, click here.
Mail materials to:
University of Georgia Graduate School Admissions
Brooks Hall
310 Herty Drive
Athens, GA 30602
706-524-1739
