Admission to the Program and Student Responsibility:

Admissions Requirements

1. A master's degree in a field related to policy studies is required for admission to full standing in the Ph.D. in Public Policy.
2. Exceptional performance at the master's level is required.  This means a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 in the master's degree program.
3. Students with baccalaureate degrees may be admitted if they have an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5.
4. Admission to the Program will require strong scores on the quantitative, verbal, and analytic sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  An average score of 500 on these three components of the GRE should be considered the minimum for admission.
5. Three strong, positive letters of recommendation, at least two of which must come from faculty in the student's previous academic programs.  All letters should be written by individuals in a position to judge the applicant's likely success in a Ph.D. program.  Letters should address the applicant's suitability for a highly analytical Ph.D. program and ability to complete the program in a timely fashion.  Letters from the student's master's level program are preferred.
6. 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.  In addition, international students who will be teaching assistants will be required to undergo evaluation by the English Language Training Institute at UNC Charlotte prior to beginning their first semester of study.
7. Students entering the program will be expected to remedy any course work deficiencies identified by their advisory committee.  The amount and kinds of remedial course work required for the program will depend on the background of the student and will be established by the  student's advisory committee.  Possible deficiencies are indicated in the prerequisites for the required core courses of the program.  However, it is important to note that this Program will emphasize the quantitative and analytical skills necessary to confront the challenges of urban and regional growth and development.
8. Students currently in master's programs may wish to prepare specifically for entry in the Ph.D. Program during work on the master's degree.  In most cases this can be accomplished by taking appropriate courses as part of the elective course work provided in existing master's programs.  These elective courses may remedy any course work deficiencies by the student's advisory committees.

Back to top