FAQ: Admissions & Application

• What is the GPA required for admission?

  Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last two years of coursework (Junior & Senior years). The admissions committee uses a holistic review in determining an applicant’s eligibility for admission. Students that may be slightly lower than the 3.0 GPA are still encouraged to apply as the committee will also take into consideration: letters of recommendations, personal statement, statement of history, reasons for pursuing public policy, and prior work/volunteer/internship/research experience.

• Are there any required courses for admission?

  No. Students are strongly encouraged to complete a course in Statistics, Economics, and Political Science to be better prepared for program curriculum.

• Is the GRE required?

  No. If you have taken the exam, students are encouraged to submit their scores as part of the admissions review process.

• What is the “Personal Statement,” and “Statement of History?” How are they different?

  Statement of Purpose: Goals and Qualifications

  The statement of purpose allows you to address specific interests with respect to the program to which you are applying. The following information should be included in this statement:

  1. Explain how your interest in public policy developed. Why are you wanting to pursue an MPP?
  2. Think about what you would like to do post-graduation. Do you want to work in a non-profit? Do you see yourself working for the public sector whether it be with an elected official, city, county, state government, or working with a special district? What do you see yourself doing?
  3. Talk about, and provide examples of policy issues, that you are passionate about and why?

   

  Statement of Personal History

  In an essay, discuss how your experiences — personal, work, volunteer, leadership, — have prepared you for the MPP program. Have there been any issues that have adversely impacted your academic performance?

  Please note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose.

• What are important dates and deadlines?

  Applications for the fall term will be available online on October 1. The priority filing deadline (to be considered for a higher funding package) is January 5th. The program will continue to accept applications after January 5th on a rolling basis. Please connect with the Program Coordinator to inquire about the deadline, post-January 5th.

• Tuition and Fees

  https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp/tuition-and-fees

• What type of financial support is provided to admitted students?

  While many Master programs typically do not provide funding to students, we are able to provide a small amount of funding to students being considered for admission. The average financial package is approximately $12,000 + one quarter of employment. Financial packages can take one of three forms.

  1. Fellowship support
  2. Employment-based aid: Teaching Assistant or Graduate Student Researcher
  3. A combination of the above: Fellowship + employment

  While we can provide some form of financial support, students are still taking out loans. For more information on graduate student loans please visit the Financial Aid website.

• How many letters of recommendation are required? How should my recommenders send in their letters?

  Students will need to provide the name and contact information for a minimum of three recommenders, one of which needs to be a faculty member. Students may list more than three recommenders, however three is the minimum.

  Your recommenders will receive an email asking for them to upload their letter of recommendation. Please ensure that your recommenders email address is correct. If your recommender indicates they did not receive the email, please have them check their Junk folder

• What additional materials need to be submitted with my application?

  Students will need to upload their unofficial transcripts and a copy of their resume.

  International students, please see the documents (transcripts, degree certificates, and English-translations) that need to be submitted at the time of application submission.

• Do you provide fee waivers for applicants?

  Students will need to contact the Graduate Division to request an application fee waiver. Please visit the Fee Waiver page for additional information.

• I am an international student, what are the language requirements for the program?

  All students whose first language is not English and who have not earned a bachelor’s degree equivalent, at an institution where English is not the language of instruction are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS exam scores. Please visit the Graduate Admissions website for score minimums.

• How can I apply?

  https://graduate.ucr.edu/apply

FAQ: Program and Campus Information

• How long is the program? How many units are required?

  The MPP program is designed to be completed in two-years. Students will take 12 units (3 courses)/quarter for a total of 72 units.

• Can I be enrolled part-time?

  No. Students need to be enrolled full-time (three courses/quarter).

• Do you offer any courses online or hybrid?

  No. The degree program is fully in-person.

• When are classes taught?

  Through Spring 2025, courses are taught Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m..

  Beginning in Fall 2025, courses will be taught Monday through Friday, mostly during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..

• What do your alumni do post-MPP?

  https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp/alumni

• Do you have concentrations?

  The MPP program does not have concentrations. Students are encouraged to take their elective courses from a broad variety of areas: environmental policy, urban policy, health policy, education policy, and social justice and policy.

• I am not from the local area, what housing options are available.

  https://housing.ucr.edu/

• Capstone Requirement

  https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp/capstone-projects

• Internship Requirement

  https://spp.ucr.edu/student-success/internship-program