Application for admission to the M.P.A. program is made directly to the Graduate School. A completed application consists of the Graduate School application, a two‑page statement of career goals, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.

Pre‑career students should request at least two letters of recommendation from previous instructors who can judge their ability to do graduate work. If pre‑career students have public sector experience, they should request a letter from an employer who can judge their potential as future public administrators. In‑service students should request at least one letter of recommendation from a previous instructor and remaining letters from public sector employers.
Prerequisites for admission to the program are 9 semester hours in the social sciences, including at least one course in U.S. government, and appropriate undergraduate work in mathematics or statistics. Application for admission to the M.P.A. program is made directly to the Graduate School. A completed application consists of the Graduate School application, a two‑page statement of career goals, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. An applicant whose native language is not English must present an IELTS score of 6.5 or alternatively, a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the TOEFL ibt. Normally, to be considered for admission, a non-U.S. citizen shall have completed a four-year undergraduate degree. A minimum 2.75 overall GPA on a 4.00 system or a 3.20 GPA with 15 or more semester hours of graduate work at an accredited institution.