Application & Admission
Kent State University welcomes applications to the Master of Public Administration program three times per year. Incoming students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer semester.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
For Fall Semester (September – December): By July 31st
For Spring Semester (January – May): By December 30th
For Summer Semester (May – August): By March 31st
The MPA faculty consider all applicants based on the following materials:
Application Form: The on-line application form is available at the "Apply Now" button below.
Be sure to select "Arts and Sciences" for the Academic Unit, and "MPA - Public Administration" as the Intended Major.
Application Fee: The application processing fee is $45 for domestic applicants and $70 for international applicants. This fee may be paid online at the end of the online application process.
Official Transcripts: A GPA minimum of 3.0 is required for admission; applicants with lower GPAs may be considered for "conditional admission" (see below). Official transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) institution(s) must be mailed directly to the Division of Graduate Studies (address below) directly from the degree-granting institution.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): The MPA Program no longer requires a GRE (or other exam) as part of the application.
Writing Sample: The writing sample may be a research paper written by the applicant as an undergraduate or graduate student, or a report written for an employer. The sample should demonstrate analytical abilities and writing skills, and should include full citations.
Letter of Intent: The letter of intent should be no more than two pages (single spaced) and should address why the applicant is seeking an MPA degree and the applicant's interest in Kent State University.
Current Resume: Provide a current resume.
Three Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. These may be from professors and/or employers who are familiar with your work. Please download the letter of recommendation form from the "Apply Now" button. Persons writing letters of recommendation on your behalf should mail their form to the Division of Graduate Studies (address below).
Submitting your Application
The transcripts, GRE report, and letters of recommendation should be mailed to:
All other applicant material may be mailed to the Division of Graduate Studies (above) or sent electronically to gradapps@kent.edu.
Admissions Decisions
The MPA program's decision concerning your admission is based on our overall evaluation of your scholastic skills and abilities. Upon receipt of your complete file by the MPA Coordinator, a committee comprised of the MPA Coordinator and MPA Faculty Committee will make a recommendation on your admission.
A majority decision holds. One of three decisions is possible: You may be Unconditionally Admitted; Conditionally Admitted; or Denied Admission.
An Unconditional Admission is made for students who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater, and the other materials are judged of strong merit.
A Conditional Admission is made for students who have a mixed record of performance in their portfolio. For example, a very good research paper and experience but a GPA slightly below 3.0. A conditional decision normally requires that the applicant be admitted on the condition s/he earn a GPA of 3.0 or better in their first three graduate core courses in the MPA program.
Satisfying this requirement automatically removes the conditional status. Failure to meet this requirement results in dismissal from the program.
A Denial of Admission is made for applicants whose file indicates they do not have sufficient academic strengths to complete the MPA program.
The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management uses the same admissions criteria and standards as admission to the MPA program.
In any case, the decision by the MPA Coordinator and MPA Faculty Committee is recommendatory only. The final decision as to admission status resides with the Associate Graduate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Once the Graduate Dean has made a decision, a letter of notification will be sent to you.