MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

ADMISSION

**Admission into the MPA Program is a two-fold process. **

Applicants must apply for admission to the School of Graduate Studies and Research. 

Once accepted into the School of Graduate Studies & Research, a separate application must be completed and submitted to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program. 

  • Master of Public Administration Application
  • Financial Aid & Scholarships
  • School of Graduate Studies & Research

Acceptance into the School of Graduate Studies and Research is not an automatic acceptance into the MPA Program.  Similarly, the completion and submission of all application materials for the MPA Program does not guarantee acceptance.  It is strongly suggested that the MPA applicant submit materials to the School of Graduate Studies & Research based upon criteria of the MPA Program from the outset.  All materials should be submitted simultaneously to the School of Graduate Studies & Research, except for the “Master of Public Administration (MPA) Application Form” and the “Statement of Purpose for Graduate School” which should be mailed directly to the Department of Political Science and Public Administration.  Applicants to the MPA program must meet the following criteria:

  • Acceptance in the School of Graduate Studies & Research;
  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Government, Political Science, or Public Administration. (Students who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree in one of the fields listed above may be considered for admission into the MPA Program on a “conditional basis.”  Such students, if accepted, will be required to complete PA 523, “Graduate Writing Workshop”, “PA 505 Proseminar in American Government”, and PA 500 “Principles of Public Administration “during their initial semester of enrollment.  Students must earn a “B” or above on all graduate course work.)
  • Three completed “Recommendation Forms” and three Letters of Recommendation, two of which must be from faculty members with whom the student has taken classes. 

    • ** Applications will not be considered without all three Recommendation Forms and Letters.

  • Complete the “Masters of Public Administration (MPA) Application Form” which includes writing a “Statement of Purpose for Graduate School.” 
  • Exhibit Intellectual Maturity and Initiative-Graduate level work requires intellectual maturity and curiosity, emotional stability, initiative, and dependability.  Students who are accepted into the MPA Program must have a desire to grow and develop as a student, scholar and practitioner in the field of Public Administration. 

Admission Status

Admission into the MPA Program is very competitive and is determined by the MPA Admissions Committee after a careful review of the Application for Admission and supporting materials.  Students who are accepted into the MPA Program will be admitted as a “regular degree-seeking student,” a “provisional degree-seeking student,” or a “conditional degree-seeking” student.  Non-degree seeking students who have taken courses in the MPA Program may apply for admission through the admissions process outlined above.  The admission categories for MPA students are explained below:

Regular Admission

  • Meets all requirements for Admission into the Graduate School
  • Holds a Bachelors Degree in Government, Political Science or Public Administration
  • Has a 3.0 overall cumulative GPA
  • Has submitted scores of the GRE/GMAT
  • Has submitted three appropriate Recommendation Forms with attached Letters of Recommendation
  • Has submitted MPA application Form along with Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Conditional Admission

  • Granted to students with GPA’s between 2.5 and 2.9.  Coursework is limited to six specific hours (PA 505 and PA 523).
  • Granted to students who do not have a Bachelor’s Degree in Government, Political Science or Public Administration.  Coursework is limited to nine specific hours (PA 505, PA 523 and PA 500).

*Also required is a completed MPA Application Form, applicants must  complete Application Essay (“Statement of Purpose for Graduate School”).  In writing the Application Essay, applicants must respond to the following:

  1. Why do you want to pursue graduate studies, particularly in the field of Public Administration?
  2. In very specific terms, describe your career goals and explain how the Master of Public Administration degree will contribute to your goals;
  3. If you were to choose a topic in Public Administration today to write a research paper, what topic would you choose and why? Does this topic relate to your academic interests and the field of study you wish to pursue? Explain; and
  4. How do your interests and abilities match the program and faculty at Grambling State University?

For more information on the cost of admission into the Masers of Public Administration Program please follow the link below: