Apply Now - Application Instructions and Checklist

Application Overview - MPP Application for Fall 2010

The Admissions Committee carefully reviews an applicant's combined academic and professional background. No single component of the application is weighed more heavily than the other components. However, the Committee will evaluate each application with an eye toward the applicant's writing and analytical skills, both vital to success in studying public policy process and analysis at the graduate level. Consideration of your application includes:

  • Academic background including undergraduate transcripts, academic recommendations, and performance on the graduate school entrance exam of choice.
  • Completion of the program prerequisites: introductory statistics, microeconomics and United States national government.
  • Professional experience including work experience, internships, professional recommendations, and volunteer and community service activities.
  • Evaluation of the content of your Statement of Purpose (a.k.a. letter of intent, entrance essay). The Admissions Committee will also use this document to assess your writing skills.

    Application due date: The MPP program accepts new students for fall semester, which starts in August. All MPP program application materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2010. Contact the program manager to request approval of late documents.

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit all items on the following checklist:

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MPP APPLICATION CHECKLIST FOR FALL 2010

(PDF version)

Prospective graduate students, including University of Utah seniors, apply for admission to graduate study through The University of Utah Admissions Office and through the MPP program. Please submit the following items by the due dates. We're here to help. Please contact us if you have questions.

Before applying

  • If possible, meet with the MPP Program Manager. Please email or call to schedule an appointment - 801-585-7834
  • Complete the program prerequisite courses.The prerequisite courses for the MPP program are:
  • U.S. National Government - sample course at The University of Utah POLS 1100
  • Introductory Statistics - sample courses at The University of Utah: FCS 3210; SOC 3112 and PSYCH 3000 - we cannot count 1000 level math classes for the statistics prerequisite
  • Introductory Microeconomics - sample course at The University of Utah ECON 2010

These courses must be completed at the undergraduate level with a grade “C” or better in the last 10 years. You may be admitted to the program before completing these requirements. However, you may not enroll in the program until these courses are satisfactorily completed. Please note: if you are accepted into a joint program (e.g. MPP/JD or MPP/MPH) some prerequisites may automatically be waived. Please consult the program manager for more information. University of Utah course information can be found in the Course Catalog.

By February 1 - apply to the university of utah graduate school.
follow their online instructions and Submit the following to The University of Utah Graduate school Office of Admissions

(February 1 is a recommended date because transcripts will take time to be mailed from original institution and received by the University, and ideally, we need all application materials in the MPP office by March 1):

1. Complete the Application for admission to The University of Utah Graduate School.
Please follow the instructions on the University Admissions Office website and submit The University of Utah application online at: www.sa.utah.edu/admiss/graduate.htm

2. Application Fee

3. All official transcripts. Please do not send transcripts to the MPP Office.

Note: International students must submit their TOEFL score to the Graduate School with their application by Feb. 1. The MPP Program requires a TOEFL score of 580 or higher.

The University Admissions Office will begin to process a graduate file once it is complete.  A complete University of Utah Graduate School Application file consists of the graduate admissions application, the fee, and a transcript from every college/university the applicant has attended or received college credit from.  When The University of Utah Graduate School Application is complete, the admissions file is summarized by the Admissions Office staff and sent to the MPP Office.

By March 1 - Submit the following directly to the MPP Program Office

The University of Utah
Center for Public Policy & Administration
Master of Public Policy Program
260 South Central Campus Drive Rm 214
Salt Lake City , Utah 84112-9154

•  GRE or Other Standardized Test Score - Please make sure you take the test in time for the scores to reach our office by March 1 (this varies for each test so confirm how long it takes with the testing facility). We accept test scores taken in the past five years.

All applicants who have not already completed a graduate degree or started a possible joint program (e.g. JD/MPP) must take one of the following entrance exams:

GRE: The GRE is the preferred test for admission to the MPP program. Applicants must submit official scores from the GRE. (If needed the GRE code is: U-code - 4853 Department/Program code: 2204 (public affairs) or 1903 (public policy studies)

MAT (Millers Analogies Test): U-code only: 4853. MAT scores are sent to the admissions office. Students must contact admissions and have the scores sent to the MPP office.

LSAT: Email pdf results to the MPP program manager.

GMAT: U-code only: 4853. Contact the Business School at 801-585-7366 to forward scores to the MPP Office OSH 214.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS must submit their TOEFL score to the Graduate School with their application by Feb. 1. The MPP Program requires a TOEFL score of 583 or higher (237 on the computer-based exam and 92-93 on the new iBT).

NOTE: the admissions committee looks at percentile ranks, rather than raw test scores and does not prefer one test over another. There is no minimum test score requirement.

Please contact the University Testing Center for assistance with preparation advice and scheduling tests.

•  Statement of Purpose (a.k.a letter of intent, entrance essay)

Write a statement of purpose (a.k.a letter of intent, entrance essay) describing in no more than two to three pages:

Yourself and your reason(s) for applying to The University of Utah MPP program
Your expectations of the program in furthering your career objectives

Please include page numbers and your name on each page.

•  Three Academic/Professional Recommendations

These references should be a combination of academic and professional references (not personal). It is strongly recommended that at least one recommendation be an academic reference from a former professor. Complete the applicant portion, and ask your references to complete the endorser portion of the MPP recommendation form and send them directly to the MPP Office.

•  Current Resumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Resumés or CVs should be professional and adequately describe your relevant work, internship, and volunteer experiences.

_________________________________________________________________________

We do not require an interview for admission, however, students often find a visit to the school to be a very useful tool in their decision to apply and/or attend The University of Utah. We hold several Information Sessions throughout the year and are available to meet with students one-on-one. Contact Angie Stefaniak (801-585-7834; angela.stefaniak@cppa.utah.edu) for more information or to make arrangements for a visit.

We will notify applicants of admission decisions by the end of March. If you have questions about the application process please contact us via email or call 801-585-7834.

Helpful links:

MPP Program FAQs

The University of Utah Admissions Office

The Center for Public Policy & Administration

The University of Utah Course Catalog

The University of Utah Graduate School

The University of Utah Testing Center

MPP Tuition

Tuition and Fees at The University of Utah