Prerequisites

All students admitted to the MPA degree program must show prerequisite 3-credit course work in statistics and statistical software with a satisfactory grade. Students without prior course work in statistics must fulfill this prerequisite within two semesters of admission. Credits earned from course work in statistics do not count toward the MPA requirement. For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must have received, from an accredited institution, a baccalaureate degree (3.0 GPA preferred on a 4.0 scale) with requirements substantially equivalent to those at Penn State. (Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.)

Application Materials:
 

• A nonrefundable application fee
• Résumé
• One- to two-page personal statement of career and educational goals
• Names and contact information of three recommenders. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each recommender requesting the completion of a reference form contained in the email. Please inform all recommenders that they will be receiving an email notice. However, the form is not required as part of the application process. Reference letters are not required but will be accepted.
• Evidence of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college:
  • Official transcripts from each institution attended regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed (two copies from each to be mailed to the address below)
  • Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation
  • A successful undergraduate record with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State. Simply use our convenient transcript request form.
• GRE or GMAT scores may be required of some applicants if GPA is less than 3.0.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, if applicable. TOEFL scores must be submitted by all international applicants unless otherwise specified. Please see the Language Proficiency section of the International Students page of the website for undergraduate and graduate program requirements. Visit the TOEFL website or call 609-771-7100 for more information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

How to Apply
 

To apply to this program, you must complete the graduate school application.

Applying to the Master's Degree
 

1. Read the admissions requirements.
2. Begin the graduate school application.
   1. On the "Admissions and Program Information Portal" page, choose "Apply Now."
   2. When you get to the "Campus, Major, Degree & Semester" page:
      1. Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus.
      2. Choose "PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION" as the major.
      3. Choose "M P A" as the degree.

Check Status

Use these options for applications already in progress or to check the status of an application previously submitted.

• Continue application already in progress
• Check the status of a submitted application