Which program—the MPPA or the accelerated MPP—is right for me?
If you are a current undergraduate student at UMass or at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke or Smith college and would like to earn a graduate degree in one year after completing your bachelor’s degree, then you are eligible to apply for the accelerated MPP.

If you already have an undergraduate degree, have been working for a few years or more, and are interested in a career in public service, the MPPA would be the right degree for you. Most MPPA students have at least two years of work experience; some have less experience but have had an internship or other demonstrated commitment to public service.

When is the application deadline?
Applications for the MPPA program are due February 1 each year. The admissions committee notifies applicants of its decisions by April 15.

What happens to my application if I submit it after the posted deadline for my desired program?
All processed applications are forwarded to the appropriate program upon receipt. Those applications submitted after the deadline will be “bumped” to the next entrance cycle, and it will be up to the admissions committee if they wish to consider any late application(s).

Can I defer my admission to another entrance period?
Any admission is for a specific semester and can not be routinely deferred. If you wish to defer your acceptance for one year, you need to write to your graduate program to request a deferral.

Can I apply for admission to the spring semester or summer session?
The Center for Public Policy and Administration does NOT have spring or summer enrollment. CPPA only admits new MPPA students in the fall semester of each academic year.

What are the requirements for international applicants?
Detailed information for international applicants can be found on the Graduate School website.

What are the admissions standards?
Successful applicants to the MPPA program must have the equivalent of an American bachelor’s degree. The GRE general test scores are required, and students on average score around 600 on both the verbal and quantitative sections of the test. The average GPA in undergraduate course work is 3.4. The admissions committee also considers relevant work and community experience, career goals, the personal statement and letters of recommendation, especially those from former professors. International students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have the results submitted directly to the University.

Does CPPA offer financial aid?
The program may offer a number of paid assistantships to highly qualified first and/or second year MPPA students. In addition to a stipend, these may carry a waiver of tuition and curriculum fees, as well as paid health insurance. Research assistants primarily work with professors in the department. Projects vary depending on the primary interest of the professor. More information about financial aid available to graduate students can be found at the UMass Financial Aid Services website and also on our MPPA financial aid page.

Where do UMass MPPA graduates work?
Graduates of the MPPA program find employment in government and nonprofit organizations as well as in the private sector. Typical jobs include policy or budget analysts at government agencies and private sector consulting firms; directors of nonprofit organizations; town managers; or program officers at international organizations. Some recent graduates are working at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the World Bank, the Social Security Administration, Standard and Poor’s, the City of Boston and Fidelity Investments. For more student placements, click here.

What is the UMass Amherst student body like?
Within its nine schools and colleges with 1,150 full-time faculty members, the University offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 90 areas, master's degrees in 68 and the doctorate in 51. There are approximately 23,000 full-time students, comprising more than 17,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate students. Close to 50 students are enrolled in the Public Policy and Administration Program. Students come from all parts of the U.S and around the world.

Does CPPA require an interview as part of the application process?
Although an interview is not required for admission to the MPPA program, we recommend that applicants visit UMass Amherst and meet faculty and students. If a campus visit is not possible, applicants can arrange to speak with MPPA alumni in their area. To arrange a campus visit or to speak with an alum, contact Kathy Colón at 413-545-3940 or kcolon@pubpol.umass.edu.

Can I transfer credits from another college or university toward the MPPA degree program at CPPA?
No more than a total of six graduate credits may be transferred toward a master's program. The CPPA program director must send a recommendation to the graduate dean, who then must approve the credit transfer. More details about other requirements for transferring courses can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Is it possible to take classes at CPPA before I apply to a degree program?
You can take courses at CPPA as a non-degree seeking student if you have a bachelor’s degree and have registered with the graduate school. Applications for this status do not require the supporting documentation required for application to a degree program. If you are later accepted into a degree program, up to six graduate credits may be applied toward your degree. Students with non-degree status may take CPPA courses as space permits and with the permission of the instructor.

Can I complete my degree by attending part-time?
Yes, we welcome part-time students in the MPPA program. While full-time students usually complete the degree in two years, part-time students may take three to five years to complete the necessary requirements to graduate. For working professionals attending the program part-time, the internship requirement is waived.

What is the cost of tuition and health insurance plan?
The tuition and fee schedule may be found on the UMass Amherst bursar's website.