As ethnic, national, and gender diversity enriches the program of study for all students, the School of Government and Public Policy encourages underrepresented populations to apply for professional graduate study. SGPP has had the opportunity to award graduate tuition waivers in the past and will continue to provide these in the future, provided funding is available.
More information on program costs, graduate funding, scholarships, and fellowships can be found at https://sgpp.arizona.edu/mpa-mpp-financial-aid.
How to Apply
Please review the following details below for more information on application deadlines and required application materials. To apply for the MPP program, please submit the Graduate College's online application.
SGPP undergraduates interested in the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) can be found here: https://sgpp.arizona.edu/accelerated-mpa-mpp
Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, especially individuals seeking departmental financial aid. Please note only complete applications will be reviewed for the consideration of admission.
For deadlines that fall on a non-standard business day or holiday, applications will be due no later than 5pm (MST/AZ time) on the next available business day following the posted deadline. Applications received after the posted deadline may be subject to review for the next available term. Please contact our department at SBS-sgppmasters@arizona.edu if you have further questions on these deadlines.
- March 15th - priority deadline for all applicants seeking departmental financial aid consideration
- June 1st - final deadline for international applicants (regular admission)
- June 15th - final deadline for AMP candidates
- July 1st - final deadline for domestic applicants (regular admission)
Fall applications for regular admission will open mid-October of each year. Complete applications will be reviewed starting mid-January for the consideration of admission.
Fall applications for AMP candidates will open mid-March of each year. Complete applications will be reviewed starting mid-June for the consideration of admission.
- October 1st - international applicant deadline
- December 1st - domestic applicant deadline
Spring applications will open mid-March of each year. Complete applications will be reviewed starting early July for the consideration of admission.
MPP Admission Requirement
While applicants need not have prior experience in public policy, those applying to the MPP program must have an academic or professional background in the successful study and application of quantitative analysis. This can be expressed through at least one of the following:
- successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate course in statistics, quantitative analysis, calculus, economics, or a related course with a minimum grade of B
- extensive use of data, mathematics, or quantitative analysis in an employment setting
- strong quantitative GRE test scores
If you believe you have evidence of quantitative ability that should be considered that is not expressed in the above list, please contact SBS-sgppmasters@arizona.edu to explain and inquire applicability.
If you cannot provide evidence that meets the quantitative analysis requirement, you are encouraged to apply to the University of Arizona Graduate College as a non-degree seeking student to complete two of the following courses listed below:
- PA 504: Intermediate Economics for Public Policy (typically completed along with PA 552)
- PA 515: State & Local Government Finance
- PA 552: Statistical Decision Making
- PA 553: Quantitative Policy Analysis I
Earning grades of at least a B in two or more of these classes indicates that you may have the quantitative skills necessary to enter the program. The non-degree student may apply for regular admission to the MPP program after completing at least 2 of the above courses. Further discussion with the Graduate Programs Manager is encouraged to determine admission eligibility prior to applying.
Please note that any of these courses taken as a non-degree seeking student will count toward the MPP curriculum (maximum of 12 units).
Application Materials
The following application materials are required to apply to the MPP program:
Please submit an online application through the Graduate College's GradApp system: https://apply.grad.arizona.edu/users/login.
All materials can be uploaded prior to submitting the application. Please note the Graduate College requires an application fee of $90. This fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived unless there is an affiliation with an approved sponsored program. Additional information can be found at https://grad.arizona.edu/diversityprograms/preparation.
Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and/or graduate coursework should be added to your application.
Please keep in mind that a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) is required for admission to the University of Arizona Graduate College.
If admitted to the University of Arizona, all official transcripts requested by the Graduate College should be sent within 30 days after the first day of classes. Do not mail official transcripts until offered admission. Electronic official transcripts can be sent to transcripts@grad.arizona.edu (preferred method). If physical official transcripts must be sent, please mail or hand deliver (in a sealed envelope) to:
Graduate College
The University of Arizona
Administration Building, Room 322
PO Box 210066
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066
The statement of purpose is a chance to tell us more about you, why you are interested in the MPP program, and post-graduation goals.
In 2-3 pages, double-spaced at 10-12 point font, the statement of purpose should answer the following questions:
- Why are you interested in pursuing the Master of Public Policy program?
- What about your background (education, professional experience, life experience, etc.) has prepared you for this program?
- What are your goals after graduation?
- Optional: Provide additional information you believe would be helpful to the admissions review committee.
Two letters of recommendation are required, with at least one letter from an academic professional preferred.
These letters should be from persons able to provide verification and specific assessment of your academic and/or professional performance and capabilities.
On the application, you will enter your recommenders' information (name, title, email, etc.). An email will automatically be sent to your recommenders with further instruction on how to submit a letter directly to your application.
Note for AMP applicants: One letter of recommendation is required, preferably from an instructor or professor.
A current resume that describes relevant experience, responsibilities and achievements is required.
The MPP program does not require the GRE for the consideration for admission to our program, except for in the case of providing evidence of strong quantitative analysis. You may submit your scores if you have already taken the test, but it is not required. It is not recommend to submit GRE scores for the sole purpose of entrance to our program.
International Applicants
In addition to application materials listed above, international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency as a condition for admission. Acceptable English proficiency credentials may be provided with the following exams:
A minimum score of 79 on the iBT, or 60 on the revised PBT with no section lower than 15. Note: The Individual MyBest scores must also be dated within 2 year of the enrollment term to be considered valid.
The TOEFL Essentials test with a minimum band score of 9.5 is also acceptable.
Click here for more information on TOEFL.
A minimum composite score of 7, with no subject area below a 6.
A minimum score of 60.
A minimum test score of 110.
This test is offered by the University of Arizona's Center for English as a Second Language (CESL).
The Graduate College requires that all international applicants submit English proficiency test scores. The School of Government & Public Policy cannot waive this requirement. The Graduate College does, however, provide a few exemptions from this requirement which can be found here.
Please note the MPP program does not offer conditional admission.
After admission, international applicants must submit a financial guarantee that provides evidence of sufficient funds ($61,775 minimum) that are available for financing the their academic program. Further information can be found at https://grad.arizona.edu/international-students.
Next Steps
If admitted to the MPP program, feel free to review your next steps at https://sgpp.arizona.edu/mpa-mpp-new-students.