The Graduate College requires a minimum “B” average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), in a program of study resulting in the award of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants who have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale can be considered for provisional admission.
The general prerequisite for admission to the MPA program is a four-year bachelors’ degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the junior and senior years (last 50-60 credit hours)
Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the U.S., OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a pre-determined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission. They must complete the TOEFL exam with a score of 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, 80 internet-based, 6.5 IELTS, or 53 PTE
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score:
Applicants to the UNO School of Public Administration (MPA) program may be granted a waiver from the GRE requirement, under one or more of the following circumstances:
The applicant is enrolled in the UNO Grace Abbott School of Social Work (MSW) program and has completed at least four courses within the minimum GPA of 3.2 and no less than a B in any course.
The applicant is enrolled in the UNO College of Information Science and Technology MS in MIS program and has completed at least four courses with a minimum of 3.2 and no less than a B in any course.
The applicant has GMAT or LSAT scores less than five years old.
The applicant has previously received a graduate or terminal degree from a regionally-accredited US institution of higher education. These degrees may include, for example, an MS, MA, MPH, MSW, MD, PhD, or JD.
The applicant is enrolled in the UNO School of Public Administration certificate of public management program and has completed at least two courses in the program with a minimum grade point average of 3.2 and no less than a B in any course.
GRE Waiver Application
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose/Admissions Essay
The essay should be two to four pages (doubled-spaced) and answer the following questions:
Please tell us about the factors in your background that will help us understand your interest in a profession in the public or nonprofit sectors.
What are your professional goals? Ten years from now, what do you hope to be doing professionally?
How can an MPA from UNO help you to achieve these goals?
Resume
Generally, students will be admitted unconditionally if they have a strong undergraduate record, demonstrate good communication skills in their admission essay, receive favorable recommendations, score well on the GRE exam, and have goals consistent with the mission of the MPA program.