MPA Application Process
Public Administration is an inter-disciplinary field. Admission is therefore not limited to those with a particular undergraduate major; good students from a variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Prior coursework in microeconomics and statistics is particularly useful. Admission requires a Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 grade point average (4 point scale).
The Admissions Committee does not automatically reject applicants with GPAs below 3.0 but expects to see strength in other areas (such as GRE scores, letters of recommendation, or professional experience) in such cases.
Application Deadline
The MPA Program has a rolling admissions process and considers applications throughout the academic year.
While the Program does not have official application deadlines, applicants are encouraged to have completed applications 8 weeks before the start of the beginning semester (both fall and spring semester applications are accepted).
Applicants should keep in mind that applications for various University fellowships are typically due in January.
Items Sent to the Graduate School (or uploaded online)
Application and Fee
Complete the UWM Graduate School application form on-line at: http://apply.wisconsin.edu.
Reasons/Personal Statement
Rationale for graduate study and pursuit of a professional degree. Your reasons statement should reflect why you are interested in pursuing an MPA and why your career interests fit with the degree.
Transcripts
One official transcript sent directly to the Graduate School from each undergraduate and graduate school attended. If you attended UWM as an undergraduate, the Graduate School will obtain transcripts from the UWM Undergraduate Records Office.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) – General Test (Institution Code: 1473)
Visit the GRE website for more information about registration and preparation: www.gre.org. There is no minimum score requirement for admission, but preferred scores are at or above the 50th percentile for each section of the exam. The MPA Admissions Committee will also accept GMAT or LSAT scores in lieu of GRE scores.
Graduate School Contact:
UWM Graduate School
Admissions - 261 Mitchell Hall
3203 N. Downer Avenue
P.O. Box 340
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0340
(414) 229-6332
e-mail: gradschool@uwm.edu
Items Sent to the MPA Program Office
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic and/or professional work. Any combination of academic and employer references is fine. Applicants should provide their references with the following form:
Recommendation for Graduate Study (Word, 42kb; PDF, 30kb)
Access for Mid-Career and Part-Time Students
The MPA Program is designed to accommodate students who are currently employed and must take courses during the evening hours. Virtually all MPA courses (including all required courses) begin after 4:30 p.m., and all courses meet once a week. UWM does not offer an online MPA degree, but several courses within the curriculum are offered completely online.
Students can complete the coursework by taking one to two courses per semester (courses are also available in the summer). Alternatively, students may elect to take up to three or four courses per semester and complete the Program in two years.
Financial Aid
MPA students are eligible to apply for various Graduate School Fellowships. The Advanced Opportunity Program provides special fellowship funds for minority students. Most of these grants or assistantships require that the student be enrolled full-time. The Program also assists students with obtaining paid internships with government and nonprofit organizations.
Interested students should contact the MPA Director for more information.
MPA Program Contact:
John Bohte, Director
Master of Public Administration
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mitchell Hall 225
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
(414) 229-4328
e-mail: jbohte@uwm.edu
Fax: (414) 229-3354