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Admission to the MPA program is based on an assessment of an applicant's ability and potential to meet the demands of a rigorous graduate program. Each application is considered using multiple criteria, including the student's academic performance and potential, as well as other materials that may be requested by the department.

Application for admission to the MPA program is made directly to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies using the online form at www.tsgs.unt.edu. Be sure to select the major that says "MPA" in its title. Since all information is first sent to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and not to the Department of Public Administration, be sure to contact the program coordinator,
Dr. Abraham Benavides - phone number (940) 565-3264 - after applying. This will help us serve you much more effectively.

Academic prerequisites for admission to the MPA program are:

  1. A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university that includes at least 15 semester hours in such areas as public administration, emergency administration and planning, political science, management, economics, sociology, analytical techniques, or other social sciences. Consult with the MPA program director for applicable coursework.
  2. Admission to UNT's Toulouse School of Graduate Studies (consult the Graduate Catalog for details).
  3. A grade point average (gpa) on the last 60 hours of college work of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  4. Satisfactory scores on all three parts of the GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing).

Upon request of the department, applicants may be asked to submit such additional materials as:

  • Letters of recommendation attesting to intellectual and leadership abilities.
  • A written essay by the applicant describing career objectives and explaining how an MPA degree will help meet those objectives.
  • A current resume showing all work experience.
  • Other evidence that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform satisfactory work at the graduate level.

Students who lack the prerequisite hours may be directed to take undergraduate courses in appropriate subjects approved by the director of the MPA program and the admissions committee.