Domestic Applicants

Fall Semester to be considered for Assistantship—January 15
Fall Semester—July 1

Summer Semester – May 1

Spring Semester – November 15

*Please note that Double Dawgs should apply 4 weeks earlier than the posted deadlines to ensure the necessary time to process this type of application.

International Applicants

Fall Semester to be considered for Assistantship—January 15
Fall Semester—April 15
Spring Semester – October 15

*Please note that Double Dawg students should apply 4 weeks earlier than the posted deadlines to ensure the necessary time to process this type of application.

Please send application materials to the correct offices. Misdirected application materials will slow the application process. Do not mail videotapes, newspapers, or other media about yourself to the department. The stated application materials will suffice.

Students interested in a dual degree program, such as the MPA/JD or MPA/MUPD, must apply separately to both programs and meet the admissions requirements for each. For more information about applying to the School of Law, please visit the School of Law Admissions For information about applying to the Master of Urban Planning and Design, please see the MUPD Application Requirements. Please note: DoubleDawg students on the MPA pathway are not eligible to participate in another dual degree program, such as the MPA/JD or MPA/MUPD.

STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION

Complete the online application located at the UGA Graduate School website and pay the required application fee, which is $75 for domestic applicants and $100 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.

If you have problems uploading documents to your application or any other application issues, please contact Kristin Lawrence at (706) 542-3510 or [email protected].

STEP 2: ORDER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT TO THE UGA GRADUATE SCHOOL

Transcripts and score reports are accepted electronically and by mail. Allow 10-14 days for receipt and processing of these materials by the Graduate School Admissions Office.

• Transcripts – Send one unofficial transcript from all institutions attended, even if no degree was conferred and/or credits are listed on other transcripts. The average GPA for incoming MPA students for 2020 was approximately 3.53. If accepted to the program, you will have to submit official transcripts from all institutions where you have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Official Test Scores (GRE / TOEFL / IELTS)
  • The GRE is optional for any applicant, domestic or international, 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 may request a waiver for the GRE during the application process. If you fall within the second category and would like more information about a GRE waiver, contact Brandon Solie ([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.

• • 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.
  • If an institutional code is required for score reporting for the computer-based Graduate Record Exam, list code 5813. Otherwise, select “The University of Georgia” and then “Public Affairs” when asked where scores should be sent.

Mail materials to:

University of Georgia Graduate School Admissions
Brooks Hall
310 Herty Drive
Athens, GA 30602

International Applicants – additional requirements can be found on the Graduate School website.

As of Fall 2023, the cost of study for the MPA per credit hour is $417 (in-state) and $1,082 (out-of-state). Fees are currently assessed at approximately $695 per semester. Fees for students studying at the Gwinnett campus are $202 per semester. More information about current tuition rates can be found on the Bursar’s website.

As of Fall 2023, the current cost of study for the MPA program for Fall and Spring semesters is $32,924. This is an estimate based on tuition, fees, housing, food, books, miscellaneous living expenses, transportation, unsubsidized loan fees, and grad plus loan fees while living off campus. More detailed information can be found on the Office of Student Financial Aid webpage.

The Department of Public Administration and Policy offers a number of teaching and research assistantships that carry stipends for a nine-month academic year. The Graduate School also offers competitive assistantships and faculty members occasionally hire research assistants to work on funded research projects. Recipients of assistantships automatically receive a tuition waiver, regardless of their residency status. Students receiving assistantships and meeting departmental standards of performance in their academic work and their assistantships are eligible for up to four semesters of support for the MPA program. If you would like to be considered for an assistantship, your application to the program must be complete by January 15.

The Graduate School also provides a limited number of out-of-state tuition waivers for non-Georgia residents. The availability of these awards is announced each spring. These waivers do not automatically renew from one academic year to the next.

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