Master of Public Administration

The MPA program is designed: (1) to augment the skills and knowledge of those already in the public service; (2) to provide a professional graduate degree program to meet the growing need for many additional skilled, knowledgeable public administrators; (3) to encourage students to pursue careers in government by providing public administration education; and (4) to equip superior students for research and study at the doctoral level.

Program Specific Admittance Guidelines

• Two letters of recommendation from former professors or from job supervisors.
• A minimum 2.5 cumulative grade average (GPA) equivalent on a 4.0 scale
• A personal statement of about 1,000 words that describes your work experience, professional goals, the reasons you have chosen this program, why you want to attend UWG, and how the MPA program will help you achieve your goals.
• A current resume
• A minimum total score of 291 (combining Verbal and Quantitative) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). However, the following are eligible for a GRE Waiver (contact the MPA Director if you meet one of these criteria):
  • Applicant with an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution
  • Applicant with an earned undergraduate degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution
  • Applicant with an earned undergraduate degree with an overall GPA of 2.75 from an accredited institution and at least 3 years professional, full-time, public sector or nonprofit career experience
• Applicant with a public or nonprofit work experience of at least 7 or more years in a full-time, relevant supervisory position

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration