Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About MPA Admissions
While you’re applying…
What is required to apply for admission to the MPA Program?
In order to apply to the MPA Program, a student should submit the following:
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The Graduate School application and application fee
One copy of transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate college
work
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores
A career statement (one-page summary of career goals and how the MPA will
help you achieve them)
Three letters of reference (at least one academic reference is suggested but not
required),
A resume, and
If an international student, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
scores.
When are the application deadlines?
The MPA program admits new students in both Fall and Spring semesters, but not in
Summer sessions. Applicants for Fall admission to the program should submit their
applications, fees and all required supporting documents by May 15 (March 1 for
international applicants). Applicants for Spring admission should submit their
applications, fees and all required supporting documents by November 1 (July 15 for
international applicants).
Note: Applicants who wish to receive full consideration for a graduate assistantship
should apply for Fall admission and should submit their applications, fees and all
required supporting documents by February 1. Graduate assistantships are normally
awarded for a full academic year and for that reason are generally not available for
students admitted for a Spring semester.
What are the average Grade Point Average (GPA) and GRE scores of entering
students?
On average students have a 3.34 GPA in their last two years of undergraduate study. The
lower quartile of students enter with an average GPA of 3.13 and the upper quartile of
students enter with an average GPA of 3.63 for the last two years of undergraduate study.
The average Quantitative GRE score for entering students is 583 (before August
2011)/147 (since August 2011). The average Verbal GRE score for entering students is
536/156. The lower quartile of students enter with a GRE score of 510/144
(Quantitative) and 480/152 (Verbal), and the upper quartile of students enter with a GRE
score of 650/151 (Quantitative) and 595/160 (Verbal). The mean Analytic Writing score
is 4.88, with a lower quartile of 4.5 and an upper quartile of 5.5.
What is the minimum expected undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA)?
The admissions committee prefers that an applicant have at least a 3.2 GPA. The
committee puts more weight on an applicant’s performance during the last two years of
undergraduate work. The committee always considers the GPA in conjunction with other
aspects of the applicant’s record, including field of study, GRE scores, work experience,
or graduate course grades.
Can I receive financial aid?
A limited number of graduate assistantships are offered to full-time MPA students each
year. The typical assistantship covers tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. Financial
aid awards to MPA students are typically given for one academic year. During the
second year, most full-time MPA students have a paid internship. Students who check
any one of the financial aid options on the application for admission are considered for all
available aid.
In-service students are eligible to apply for the Alumni Scholarship, given annually by
the MPA Alumni Association.
Can other standardized tests substitute for the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE)?
The GMAT will be accepted instead of the GRE. LSAT scores are generally not
accepted instead of the GRE. The admissions committee will consider LSAT scores if the
applicant has an unusually strong GPA, a high LSAT score, and excellent quantitative
skills, as evidenced by course transcripts.
To find out more about the GRE, visit http://www.gre.org
What if I don’t have prerequisite courses in American government,
microeconomics, or statistics?
Students without the prerequisites can be admitted to the program and can then take the
prerequisite courses early in their course work. Students who do not have two courses in
Political Science, including one course in American government or public policy, can
meet the requirement by taking either PA 507 Public Policy Process or PA508
Government and Public Administration. PA 507 is a three credit-hour course; PA508 is a
1 credit-hour course available through Distance Education
(http://distance.ncsu.edu/index.html). PA 507, PA 508 and graduate courses in statistics
or economics (400-level or above) can both satisfy the prerequisite and be included as
part of the 40 credit hours of graduate work.
Can I take courses before I apply, and is it advisable?
By NCSU guidelines, all college graduates are eligible to take PBS (Post-Baccalaureate
Studies) courses, which are graduate courses taken before admission to a graduate
program. In general, the MPA program advises prospective students to apply, rather than
take PBS courses before applying, for two reasons. First, admitted students receive
preference in enrolling in PA courses, many of which are closed to PBS students. Second,
admitted students receive an advisor, who can guide them to the correct courses and
course sequences.
Will a strong performance in PBS courses strengthen my chances of admission to
the MPA program?
The admissions committee considers PBS performance, particularly in selected core
courses, in making its decisions. However, the committee gives greater weight to other
aspects of an applicant’s record, including undergraduate GPA (especially for the last two
years), GRE scores, career goals, and work experience. Even a very strong performance
in PBS courses may not be enough to overcome weaknesses in these other aspects of an
applicant’s record.
What about transferring in courses from another program?
The MPA program may accept transfer credits from an accredited university if (1) the
hours were completed in a graduate classification at a graduate school accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or equivalent regional body, (2) the
courses were completed with a grade of 'B' (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better, and (3) the
courses are related to public administration, public policy, or the student's area of
specialization. Generally, no more than 9 credit hours can be transferred.
I am an international student. What TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language) score does the department require?
The department requires a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the internet-based
TOEFL test, which corresponds to 250 on the older computer-based test, and 600 on the
paper-based test.
How long do admissions decisions generally take?
Except during the winter and summer breaks the admissions committee can decide within
a few weeks of receiving a completed application. Some applications may be delayed
until we receive end-of-semester grades.
Once you are here…
How much does it cost to study at NC State University?
The university sets graduate tuition and fees annually on a sliding scale, with costs per
semester depending on the number of credits a graduate student takes in that semester and
on whether the student is or is not a legal resident of North Carolina. For example, a
North Carolina resident taking 3-5 credit hours in a semester currently pays $1,793.25 in
tuition and $363.16 in required fees for a total of $2,156.41 per semester; a non-resident
of North Carolina taking 3-5 credit hours pays $4,877.75 in tuition and $363.16 in
required fees for a total of $5,240.91 per semester. A North Carolina resident who is a
fulltime student (9 or more credit hours in a semester) pays $3,586.50 in tuition and
$1,089.58 in required fees for a total of $4.676.08 per semester; a fulltime student who is
not a resident of North Carolina pays $9,755.50 in tuition and $1,089.58 in tuition for a
total of $10,845.08 per semester. For a complete schedule of current tuition and fees,
please visit http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/cashier/tuition/gradtuition.asp
Will I have the opportunity to complete an internship while I am in the program?
Yes. Students who do not have professional experience in government or nonprofits are
encouraged to complete an internship. Internships allow these students to use and extend
skills that they have learned in the MPA program and prepare them for the professional
job market. Placements are generally arranged by our internship coordinator, and interns
participate in monthly seminars that allow them to explore issues related to internships
and employment. Three hours of internship credit can be included in the degree
requirements.
How long do I have to complete the degree?
Full-time students generally complete their degree in two years, and many part-time
students complete their degree in three to five years, depending on work and family
demands. Students are given a maximum of six years in which to complete the 40-hour
degree.
What time of day are the courses usually offered?
Most courses are offered in the evenings, Monday through Thursday. Evening classes
accommodate the schedules of students who also work full-time. However, typically at
least one MPA course per semester is offered during the late afternoon.
Can I take courses in other departments or from other universities?
We strongly encourage our students to take elective courses both from other departments
at North Carolina State University and from other nearby institutions as well. Students
may register for courses in other related departments such as political science,
psychology, sociology, business administration, economics, landscape architecture, and
natural resources. Students may also register through inter-institutional registration
(http://www.ncsu.edu/reg_records/ii_title.html) for courses at Duke University, North
Carolina Central University, and the Chapel Hill, Greensboro, and Charlotte campuses of
the University of North Carolina. The courses are billed through NC State and the grades
appear on the NC State transcript.
Can I specialize in one particular area?
The MPA program encourages students to specialize their course work in specific areas
of interest. Formal specializations include nonprofit management, public policy, and
urban/local government management. Students may also develop their own
specializations by combining departmental offerings with courses offered by other NC
State departments or by neighboring universities. Examples of individual specialties
include administration of justice, environmental policy, financial management,
geographic information systems, and human resource management.
Whom may I contact with more questions?
For additional information, please contact:
Mac McGee
Graduate Services Coordinator
Public Administration Department
wlmcgee@ncsu.edu