Admission Requirements

In determining admission to the Division of Public Administration, the faculty assesses the applicant’s preparation for and commitment to the unique demands of a public service career. It considers the following:

1. The appropriateness and quality of academic preparation demonstrated by the breadth and content of prior academic coursework. A minimum GPA of 3.00 in undergraduate coursework is generally expected of students seeking regular admission status.
2. Three independent assessments of the applicant’s ability to perform adequately in graduate studies and potential for high-level performance in public service. The three letters of assessment, on forms provided by the Division of Public Administration, and supplemented by personal letters, should be provided by faculty members from colleges or universities previously attended or by other persons in a position to comment on the applicant’s academic background and professional experience. One letter should be from the applicant’s current employer, if any.
3. A résumé of professional work experience, if any.
4. A 500-word statement concerning the applicant’s professional goals and how the specific master’s degree relates to the achievement of his or her goals. This statement should indicate whether the student plans to participate in the program on a full- or part-time basis and when program requirements are expected to be completed.
5. A TOEFL score of 550 on paper, 213 on computer or 80 on internet is required of every applicant whose first language is not English. This is a requirement even if the applicant has earned an undergraduate degree in the United States.
6. All degrees offered by the Division of Public Administration require the submission of GRE scores. This does not apply to the Certificate; see #9 below.
7. In addition to the above, the MPH program requires completion of an undergraduate course in statistics for admission.
8. The EMPA admission requirements may be found at www.pdx.edu/cps/empa.
9. The Certificate in Nonprofit and Public Management admission requirements may be found at www.pdx.edu/hatfieldschool.

The Division of Public Administration maintains the same application deadlines published for the University. Admission is open fall, winter, and spring terms.

Limitation on by-arrangement courses

Admitted master’s students may utilize no more than 12 credits of by-arrangement classes (501 and 505). In cases where more than 12 credits are needed because of the lack of regularly scheduled classes, a waiver must be submitted for approval to the division curriculum committee and the division chair.

Limitation on acceptance of C grades

No student may use more than two C grades toward graduation for a degree from the Division of Public Administration.