Admission

Potential for distinguished academic and professional achievement is the principal criterion for admission to the Master of Public Administration program. In assessing an application, the admission committee evaluates:

• past performance as evidenced by grades, work experience and community service
• future promise as indicated by performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and letters of recommendation
• commitment to educational and career goals, as demonstrated particularly in the writing sample

In general, successful applicants will have attained at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and an above average score on the GRE or GMAT.

Applications are reviewed year-round. Students may be admitted to the fall, spring or summer semesters. However, students applying to the fall semester are encouraged to submit applications prior to January 15 in order to be considered for the best scholarships. Since the admission review process does not include an interview, submitted materials should present student qualifications clearly and completely.

Application Materials
Application Deadlines
Financial Support
Application Submission

Application Materials
The following items are required in order to complete the applications process:

• a USC Graduate Application http://www.usc.edu/dept/admission/grad
• $85 application fee
• official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• official copy of test scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). (Note: When registering for the GRE or GMAT test, applicants should use the following institution codes GRE 4852 or GMAT 4937)
• a completed SPPD Supplemental Form (complete through the Graduate On-line Applications)
• a current resume
• a minimum of three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic reference
• a statement of purpose of approximately 1,000 words addressing the following questions:
  • Why are you interested in pursuing the Master of Public Administration degree?
  • How will a Master of Public Administration degree affect or enhance your career aspirations and goals?
• A completed SPPD Scholarship Application Form (If you wish to be considered for SPPD sponsored scholarships, complete Scholarship Application Form through SPPD Supplemental Form on-line)

International students must also submit the following documents:

• official TOEFL scores (Institution Code: 4852)
• official transcripts indicating the award of all degrees with the title and date conferred in the applicant's native language and an exact translation into English of each document
• a financial guarantee statement showing proof of the ability to pay all tuition and living expenses

Application Deadlines
Application Deadline Schedule

Financial Support
SPPD offers many scholarship and graduate assistantships to domestic and international students. The USC Financial Aid Office also provides financial aid packages to U.S. citizens and eligible non-U.S. citizens for loans and work-study. Additional information is available in the Supplemental Admission and Financial Aid materials.

Scholarship awards are made at the time of admission. Applicants wishing to be considered for SPPD scholarships must complete their admission file by January 15 and turn in the SPPD Scholarship Application Form. Awards to new students are generally renewable for a second year, assuming satisfactory academic progress in accord with university-set standards for graduate students. Awards must be used toward a degree program in SPPD.

USC also participates in several federal loan programs. Graduate students demonstrating high financial need are considered for the Carl Perkins Loans and Stafford Student Loans—two low-interest loan programs—as well as for College Work Study grants. Students who do not qualify for these programs or continue to have unmet needs are encouraged to apply for Supplemental Loans for Students.

Application Submission

How to Apply

Online: SPPD strongly recommends that candidates apply online through USC's graduate online application system at http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate. The online system allows you to electronically submit the entire application including SPPD supporting documents--except for official transcripts and a copy of test scores, which should be sent directly to SPPD at the mailing address below.

By Mail: If you are unable to complete an online application, please contact SPPD at (213) 740-0550 or sppd@usc.edu to request a paper application.

Graduate Recruitment and Admission
USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development
Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall 111
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626
Tel: (213) 740-0550
Fax: (213) 740-7573
sppd@usc.edu