Thank you for your interest in the Master of Public Policy program offered at the University of Arizona Main Campus in Tucson, Arizona.
Prospective applicants are required to submit an online application and all materials directly to the University of Arizona Graduate College. Please read the information below and submit an application prior to the appropriate deadline.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
- March 15: priority deadline for departmental funding consideration
- June 1: final deadline for international applicants
- June 15: final deadline for AMP candidates
- July 1: final deadline for domestic applicants
Spring Semester
- October 15: final deadline for international applicants
- December 1: final deadline for domestic applicants
Application Availability
- General admission: mid-October of each year
- Reviews will start early December for complete applications.
- AMP candidates: mid-March of each year
- Reviews will start mid-June for complete applications.
- General admission: mid-March of each year
- Reviews will start early July for complete applications.
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.
Program Cost
Arizona Resident
| Tuition | $7,369 |
| Program Fees | $1,250 |
| Fees | $59 |
| TOTAL | $8,678 |
For 7+ units per term as of Spring 2025*
Non-Arizona Resident/International
| Tuition | $16,996 |
| Program Fees | $1,250 |
| Fees | $59 |
| TOTAL | $18,305 |
For 9+ units per term as of Spring 2025*
*Tuition, fees, and other costs are subject to change in accordance with the Arizona Board of Regents. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the Bursar's Tuition Calculator.
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.
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.
Ready to Apply?
To apply for either Main Campus or Arizona Online, you must complete the UA Graduate College online application. Please follow these steps:
- Create a GradApp account
- Complete your GradApp profile under "My Account"
- Select "Apply to a Program" from the sidebar
- Choose "UA Main" as the campus and then "Tucson" as the location
- Choose "Degree Seeking" under the Program Category
- Select "Public Policy" as your Program of Study
- Please read the application instructions
- Select the semester of which you would like to enter the program
- Your application should now be initiated under "My Active Applications"
- Finish all required aspects of the application before submitting for departmental review.
- Please note that the letters of recommendation can be submitted by your recommenders after you submit the application.
Next Steps
If admitted to the MPP program, feel free to review your next steps at https://sgpp.arizona.edu/mpa-mpp-new-students.