An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale).
Completion of an undergraduate research methods course with a grade of B- or above.
An essay (two to three pages in length) that discusses the applicant's professional goals and how completion of the program will facilitate the achievement of those goals.
Contact information for three references. References can be former professors, public service professionals, or alumni of the MPA program that attest to the applicant's potential to succeed in the program.
A current resume.
If the applicant is an international student whose first language is not English, a combined score of at least 79 on the TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) or TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test is required with a score of at least 21 points being achieved on the writing portion of the test. English Language Institute (ELI) courses at CMU may be required for those students who do not meet these criteria.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 PBT/79 IBT.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5.