MPA Admissions Information and How to Apply

A committee of faculty, students, and staff convenes several times each year to make admissions decisions. The committee reviews all the materials submitted to get a total picture of the applicant.

• What the Admission Committee is looking for
• Academic prerequisites
• Required Application Materials
• Deadlines
• Who to contact if you have questions
• Where to send your application materials

What the Admissions Committee is looking for:

• A commitment to public service
• Demonstrated leadership or leadership potential
• An academic background that indicates an ability to be successful in a rigorous social science program that is research and writing intensive.

Academic prerequisites for the MPA program:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree, preferably with a background in the social sciences, with courses in college algebra and statistics recommended but not required.
• A grade-point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) for all previous university work. Under extenuating circumstances an average below 3.0 be considered.

Required Application Materials

The following materials are required of all applicants to the MPA program. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

1. The Office of Graduate Studies application, submitted online. Click here to go to the application.
2. A non-refundable application fee, submitted online with the application form. For domestic applicants, the application fee is $55; for international applicants, the application fee is $65.
3. One official transcript from the degree-granting college or university and any post-graduate college or university attended. To be considered official, a transcript should be sent via hard copy or electronically directly from the college or university. (Note: The copy uploaded by the applicant as part of the online application is NOT considered an official transcript.)
4. Three letters of recommendation. If possible, at least one should be an academic reference. This MPA reference form must be submitted with each letter. Letters and forms can be mailed to the postal address below or emailed to padept@ku.edu.
5. A three to five page reflective essay describing your background, career goals and clearly indicating how the MPA degree fits into those goals. Note: the essay should address any deficiencies in your academic preparation and convince the admissions committee that you will be able to do graduate-level work in a research and writing intensive social science program.
6. A current resume
7. A writing sample that is at least 5pages in length. It should be a work where you critically analyze an issue (not just summarize) and be well-cited.

• Some possibilities include: an undergraduate research paper; a policy paper completed for work; another work product that analyzes an issue and makes an argument for a position.
• The following items are not adequate for the application writing sample: police reports; internal or external briefing memos; newsletters; correspondence.
• If you do not have a written sample that meets the requirements, you may prepare a report on a book or academic article relevant to the field of public administration. The KU Libraries can assist you with searching databases and accessing materials.

Additional Requirements for City & County Management Program Intern-Option Applicants:

• Graduate Record Examination scores (General test only--verbal, analytical, and quantitative); GMAT or LSAT scores are acceptable substitutes for the GRE. When reporting scores to the KU Public Administration Department, the institution code is 6871 and the department code is 4801.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants:

• Graduate Record Examination scores (General test only--verbal, analytical, and quantitative); GMAT or LSAT scores are acceptable substitutes for the GRE.. When reporting GRE scores to the KU Public Administration Department, the institution code is 6871 and the department code is 4801.
• An official TOEFL score report; IELTS scores are an acceptable substitute for TOEFL scores. Click here for information on minimum score requirements. Please note that any international students admitted to a KU program must also be tested by the Applied English Center upon arrival, regardless of your TOEFL or IELTS score.
• Statement verifying the availability of financial resources to support educational, living and other expenses.

Deadlines

City & County Leadership Program intern-option applicants

Application files for the full-time, City & County Leadership Program applicants must be received by February 1. The admissions committee will meet in February and applicants should be notified by the end of February.

City & County Leadership Program career-option applicants and

Public Service Leadership Program applicants

Deadlines for all career-option applicants is May 1 and June 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.

No preference is given to applications received by the earlier deadline. We offer this earlier date to accommodate those applicants who need an earlier decision for planning purposes.

International students

Deadline for international students is February 1 for fall admission.

Have more questions? Contact:

Lesley Owens at the KU Edwards Campus for Kansas City area applicants
(913) 897-8510

Noel Rasor at the Public Management Center for Topeka applicants
(913) 897-8460

Ray Hummert for Lawrence applicants
(785) 864-9097

Send all applications materials to: