Admission to the Program and Student Responsibility:

Admissions Requirements

1. Application form submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office, accompanied by the application fee, which is neither deductible nor refundable.
2. Applicants must possess a master's degree in a field related to policy studies with a grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.  In exceptional cases, applicants without a master's degree may be admitted but must have a baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of at least 3.5 to be eligible.  
3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
4. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.  An average score of 500 on the quantitative and verbal sections, and a 4 or higher on the analytic component of the GRE should be considered the minimum for admission.
5. Three letters of reference, at least two of which, must be from faculty who have taught or worked directly with the applicant.
6. Each applicant must prepare an essay that addresses the motivation and professional goals as well as the reasons for pursuing the degree, suitability for the program, and the policy area they would pursue within the program.
7. Students who are not native English speakers will be required to score at least 550 on the TOEFL exam, as well as achieve a minimum score of 55 on each of the components of the TOEFL, or a 220 on the computer-based TOEFL or 85% on the MELAB.

Students entering the program will be expected to remedy any coursework deficiencies identified by the director. The amount and kinds of remedial coursework required for the program will depend on the background of the student, though the program does emphasize the economic, quantitative, and analytic skills necessary to confront challenges in public policy.

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