How to Apply

The MPPA admissions committee carefully evaluates each applicant record using the five following criteria:

Bachelor’s Degree By the time of enrollment, you must have obtained a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited college or university.
Grade Point Average You must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission. Please note that this GPA is higher than the minimum for the Graduate School. Grade point averages below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis for restricted admission. Applicants with prior graduate-level experience in relevant fields may submit their graduate transcripts and the program will consider them on a case-by-case basis.
Letters of Recommendation These letters are an opportunity for those who know you to speak to your ability to complete the MPPA degree. You should request letters from three people who are familiar with your work and/or professional/academic skills, your character and your future goals. At least one letter should be from an instructor familiar with your academic work. Applicants without a letter from an academic source will be considered by the committee on a case-by-case basis. The Graduate School application page includes downloadable recommendation forms.
Personal Statement In a 2-3 page essay, you must be able to demonstrate that you have competence in writing. This is also your opportunity to explain why you would like to earn an MPPA by describing your education and professional goals. This personal statement should be sent directly to the PPA program and is not the statement of purpose on the web-based admission application.
Demonstrated ability to succeed in the core courses based on past coursework.

Application Process:

Please note that the MPPA process differs slightly from UMSL’s standard graduate school application – see two italicized points below:

Complete the online application There may be an application fee
Write a Personal Statement, which should be sent directly to the Public Policy Administration Program. The graduate online application requires a 150 word statement of purpose which you may disregard as the MPPA Program requires a 2-3 page personal statement which is sent directly to the department
Solicit Three Recommendation Letters, which along with the forms should be sent directly to the Public Policy Administration Program, preferably by the letters' authors.
Request Official Transcripts from all institutions where you have completed undergraduate and graduate courses and/or degrees. Transcripts should be sent to Graduate Admissions directly from the institution. The graduate online application includes a request for any standard test scores. These are not required for the MPPA Program and you may disregard
Application Deadlines: Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Prospective students may be admitted for the upcoming semester if space is available.

Additional Considerations:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: The program does not require you to submit GRE scores. However, if you believe it would help your case, you are welcome to take the GRE and submit your scores. For more information, see GRE Information;
International students: You are required to document English proficiency. Information on admission requirements for international students is available at Prospective International Students or from the International Student Services office. The telephone number is (314) 516-5229; fax: (314) 516-5636; e-mail address: iss@umsl.edu.

Financial Aid:

Graduate Research Assistantships: A limited number of positions for Graduate Research Assistants are periodically available through the PPA Program. These are competitive, paid, part-time positions in which students are provided a tuition waiver. Students will be notified when GRA positions are available, and application is made directly to the PPA Director. General information on GRA/GTA positions is available at GRA/GTA Positions.

Other Financial Aid: You should contact the Financial Aid office for information on loans, grants and scholarships: UM-St. Louis Student Financial Aid Office , 278 Millennium Student Center, (314) 516-5526.

For more information:
Graduate Program Director: Dr. Deborah Balser
Phone: (314) 516-5145
Email

Letters and personal statement should be sent directly to the department at:
Public Policy Administration
University of Missouri-St. Louis
406 Tower
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121-4400

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