Public Administration

Program Degree Major Code Admissions
Term Deadline
Master’s (On-Campus) MPA PADM Fall 2024* January 9, 2024

January 1, 2024 (Recommended) ***

Master’s (Online) MPA PADX Fall 2024* May 15, 2024

May 1, 2024 (Recommended) ***

Program Director Willow Jacobson (jacobson@sog.unc.edu)
Director Of Graduate Admissions Cara Robinson (cararob@sog.unc.edu)
Address Master of Public Administration Program
CB# 3330, Knapp-Sanders Building
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Website mpa.unc.edu
Phone 919-962-1181
Test Requirements
GRE optional

The UNC MPA program does not require a graduate entrance exam to apply. Students who believe their application materials do not fully reflect their academic potential are encouraged to include in their application an official graduate entrance exam test score received within the last 5 years (this is particularly recommended for students with cumulative GPAs below 3.3).  Any candidate may submit official, current graduate entrance exam scores (GRE, GMAT or LSAT) for consideration by the admissions committee. Contact the Director of Admissions, Cara Robinson to discuss further. Unofficial score reports should be emailed as part of your application process to cararob@sog.unc.edu and official scores should be sent to school code #5816.

Letters of Recommendation 3 – (academic, professional and volunteer are accepted).

Candidates that have graduated within the last five years are encouraged to include at least one academic letter of recommendation.

International Applicants Only TOEFL or IELTS score (no more than two years old)

ECE or WES evaluation confirming equivalent of a U.S. degree

Other Requirements In addition to the University’s required application materials, applicants should review the information below for additional expectations or application requirements.

Statement of Purpose:  In one to two pages, respond to the question, “Why do you want to earn an MPA from UNC-Chapel Hill?” In your statement, please address the following:

  1. Your professional goals,
  2. Experiences that have led you to consider a public service career, and
  3. Why the UNC-Chapel Hill MPA program would be a good fit for you.

Supplemental Writing Prompt: “Public service values are critical to the study and practice of public administration.  In 500 words or less, please share how you see public service values impacting the work you do now or the work that you hope to do after your graduate studies.”

Please upload this document in the Essay-Required section on the Program Supplement page in your application.

Supplemental Statement: This program provides you with an opportunity to upload an optional document for the Admissions Committee to review if you would like to make us aware of any factors or circumstances that contributed to your GPA.

If you choose to provide a Supplemental Statement, please upload this in the Supplemental Document-Optional section on the Program Supplement page in your application.

Most Recent Resume or CV

Prerequisite Course Requirement:  A minimum of 3 semester hours credit in American Government and Politics or an equivalent course.  AP credit is acceptable if included on your undergraduate transcript.  NOTE: This is not a requirement to apply for admission. Admitted students who decide to enroll will be notified if they need the course and will be eligible to enroll in our free, online course prior to classes starting.

*Students may apply as non-degree seeking students in the Fall, Spring, or Summer, but the degree option is only available in the Fall.

***We strongly encourage applications to be completed as early as possible for your interested term for best scholarship consideration.