For doctoral applicants, emphasis is placed on achievements in prior graduate work. The average cumulative grade point average in previous graduate work for those admitted is 3.5. Admission to our doctoral programs requires a completed masters degree.

Virtually all successful Urban Affairs and Public Policy doctoral applicants have completed a masters degree in urban affairs, public policy, or a related field. Successful applicants to the Disaster Science & Management doctoral program have a diverse array of master's degrees, given the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the program.

The admissions committees look for strong research aptitude and a close fit with faculty research interests, as well as the potential for academic and professional achievement as indicated by letters of recommendation from those qualified to evaluate the student's capacity to succeed in doctoral study.


The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required of all international applicants (unless the country of residency has English as an official language or the applicant has a degree earned from an institution in a country with English as an official language). A minimum score of 600 (paper-based test), or 100 (TOEFL iBT) is generally required for consideration for admission. Some programs prefer a score of 105 for the TOEFL iBT. The Biden School does not accept IELTS scores. We will accept iTEP Academic-Plus scores if TOEFL testing is not available to an applicant.