Admissions Requirements and Deadlines
The Department of Public Policy has a rolling admissions policy. Admission to the M.P.P. and the Ph.D. programs is competitive. Applicants are required to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, and should have a superior academic record that demonstrates the characteristics necessary for completing the program successfully.
Decisions on admissions are also based on the student’s undergraduate and graduate academic record, recommendations from professors (preferred) or others who can speak to the student’s academic performance and potential for success in graduate school; and the match between the program and student’s interests.
Applicants to the M.P.P. should hold, or be nearing completion of a bachelor’s degree. For the Ph.D. program, many successful applicants have a master’s degree or the equivalent, but applications to the Ph.D. program without a master’s degree are welcome.
Formal Admission
How to apply for formal admission to one of the Public Policy graduate degree programs (M.P.P. or Ph.D.):
1. Request the application materials from the Department of Public Policy office, 410-455-3202, or helms@umbc.edu.
2. Send your application, application fee, 3 letters of recommendation (prefer at least two from academia), statement of goals, official transcripts, and official GRE scores to the Graduate School (copies will be forwarded to the Department of Public Policy).
3. Send a research paper, and resume, directly to the Department of Public Policy.
4. The deadline for fall admission is February 1; and the deadline for spring is November 1. In order to receive full consideration for financial aid, applicants are encouraged to apply by February 1. Graduate assistantships are usually awarded for the academic year (mid-August through mid-June), although occasionally there is a chance for a mid-year appointment as a graduate assistant.
5. An interview is not required, but recommended for all local applicants.
Non-degree Student
How to apply to take a course as a non-degree student:
1. Request the special non-degree-seeking application from the Graduate School, 410-455-2537 or retrieve it from their website.
2. Send the non-degree-seeking application, and fee, and transcripts directly to the Department of Public Policy for approval. Once approved, the materials will be forwarded to the Graduate School for processing.
3. Once the Graduate School has processed your application, they will send you a letter.
4. You may register for the course(s) agreed upon by the Chair during the period set aside by the Registrar for Special Student Registration (usually in late August and again in late January).
5. The Department of Public Policy allows students to take a maximum of 2 courses as a special student before formal consideration for admission to the program. Successful completion of courses does not guarantee admission to the program.
Admissions Resources
Deadlines at a glance:
Fall admission – February 1
To request financial aid – February 1 (recommended)
Spring admission – November 1
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