Master of Public Policy Admissions Process

The following minimum entrance requirements guide the university and its graduate programs in consideration of applicants for graduate admission:

• A four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent), a professional degree (such as PharmB, BVsc, MBBS, MD, DVM, PharmD, etc.), or an appropriate U.S./Canadian alternative degree, from a regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university,
• with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale)
• on the most recent baccalaureate degree or any subsequent graduate degree from a regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university, plus all work completed thereafter.

OR:

• A four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent), a professional degree, or an appropriate U.S./Canadian alternative degree, from an regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university,
• and a 45-quarter credit equivalent graduate degree from a regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university,
• with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale)
• on the most recent graduate degree.

OR:

If the applicant has completed his or her baccalaureate degree in a country that is a signatory of the Bologna Declaration, then:

• A Bologna compliant baccalaureate degree at a recognized college or university of at least three years duration,
• with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the degree, plus all subsequent graded course work.

OR:

For other three-year bachelor degree holders:

• A non-Bologna compliant baccalaureate degree of at least three years duration from a recognized college or university,
• and a 45-quarter credit equivalent graduate degree from a recognized college or university,
• with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on the most recent graduate degree.

OSU Office of Graduate Education Admissions Online Application

• Academic transcripts from all institutions where coursework was completed or attempted in pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Three letters of recommendation. Reference letters should be submitted through the Office of Graduate Education application system.
• Current resume.
• Statement of Academic and Career Objectives: Explain what motivates you to pursue graduate study in public policy, how your academic and professional experiences have prepared you for this path, and how this degree will help you achieve your long-term goals.
• Statement of Public Service and Professional Experience: Our program has a diverse, public service–oriented culture of collaboration. Please describe any public service, community volunteering, outreach, or university activities you have participated in. You may also share obstacles you have overcome or life experiences that have shaped your interest in public policy and your decision to apply to this program.
• The GRE is optional for applications.  

Domestic students are strongly encouraged to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Student Aid Report. 

Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission to the program is competitive and based on a holistic review of each applicant’s qualifications. Because the number of qualified applicants often exceeds the number of available spaces, not all well-qualified applicants can be offered admission.

General graduate admission standards for international students are available at: Office of Graduate Education International Admissions

For international applicants, we require a TOEFL Minimum Score of 90 (24 minimum speaking subscore) or IELTS of 7 (7 minimum speaking subscore) or a minimum Duolingo score of 130 (minimum 130 speaking subscore).

For calculation of U.S. equivalent grades, see: http://www.wes.org/gradeconversionguide/index.asp

Please note that the MPP program does not consider Conditional Admission for international students who do not meet the minimum required TOEFL or IELTS scores.

See the Office of Graduate Education Admissions website for application deadlines.

For students who wish to be considered for a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantship, which comes with tuition, fees, a monthly stipend, and health care, the application deadline is MARCH 1 for Fall Quarter admission.

Funding is extremely competitive, and most applicants will not be awarded an assistantship, fellowship, or scholarship. All prospective applicants should explore options outside of funding from the Public Policy program to finance their education.

International students are not eligible for financial aid or most university-provided funding and are strongly encouraged to contact the MPP program before applying.

All other applications will be considered during the academic quarter they are submitted.  The Office of Graduate Education requires applicants to have all required materials (application, three letters of recommendation, letter of application, and TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores if relevant) at least 30 days before the desired admission quarter.

The Office of Graduate Education can grant application fee waivers only in limited circumstances for domestic applicants who meet specific criteria.

Students applying for our residential MPP program in Corvallis, Oregon are potentially eligible for tuition savings under the Western Regional Graduate Program. Student from these states and territories in the map below have the opportunity to enroll at a discount down to 100% of resident tuition.

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For more information, please visit the Office of Graduate Education's Western Regional Graduate Program page.

If you are applying for the Corvallis program, please upload a driver's license or state issued ID.