Admission Process
Applying for Admission
In order to apply for admission to the MPA program, one is required to send to the MPA office:
1. A current resume;
2. A short "career plan" essay;
3. Three letters of recommendation.
This material is required in order to complete the Internal MPA Supplemental Application. Download Now!
In addition to the Internal MPA Supplemental Application, one must fill out EWU's graduate application form. For faster processing of one's graduate application form, we encourage online submission. One may apply online for graduate admission through EagleNET, Eastern Washington University's student services web site using the button below.
Graduate Studies Office collects a $50 application fee. No additional fee is charged for application to the MPA program.
Graduate Service Appointment Application (Optional)
Admission Requirements
Based on the standards described below, students are admitted upon the recommendation of the director of PADM. The director's recommendation will be sent to the Dean of Graduate Studies. That dean will then notify the student, in writing, of his/her admission or rejection. Applicants may seek admission on the basis of 1. their bachelor's degree work, 2. completion of another master's degree or 3. their work experience (if they can demonstrate a least 10 years of progressive responsibility in a related profession). Admission procedures and requirements are the same for the MPA degree and the certificate programs.
Admission Based on Undergraduate Academic Performance
Students who have completed a bachelor's degree at an appropriately accredited institution may be admitted to the Graduate Program in Public Administration based on the following criteria:
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 90 quarter graded credits of post-secondary coursework (or its equivalent as computed by the Graduate Studies Office); or
- Recommendation of the director based upon a successful appeal by the student. (This appeals process will be utilized only for students who do not have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.)
Students seeking to utilize this appeals process must directly request reconsideration by the director. In considering that request the director will review such information as:
- A resume;
- Letters of recommendation;
- A combined verbal and quantitative score of 1000 and analytical writing score of 3 on the GRE;
- A GMAT score of at least 500 and/or
- Successful completion of up to 12 credits in PADM courses with a minimum GPA in those courses of at least 3.30.
Admission Based on Another Master's Degree
A student may also be admitted to PADM with proof of possession of another valid master's degree.
Admission Based on Work Experience
Applicants with at least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public administration may also be offered regular admission. Admission is based on the following:
- Evidence of having obtained a bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution.
- An essay demonstrating critical thinking skills.
- A statement of intent demonstrating a level of knowledge and intellectual maturity appropriate to the proposed field of graduate study.
- Evidence of professional success in Public Administration.
English Language Requirement
All students from non-English speaking countries must provide evidence of adequate proficiency in the English language before being admitted to the PADM. This requirement may be satisfied by presenting a TOEFL score of 580 (237 CBT) or its equivalent. A student with a TOEFL score of between 550 and 580 may be admitted conditionally. In such cases, registration for classes is conditional upon having a program of English language study approved by the director in consultation with the International Education office.
Students with TOEFL scores of 525 to 550, (197-213 CBT), may be admitted to the University as post-baccalaureate students. As post-baccalaureate students they may register for classes and demonstrate their ability to do the work required of MPA students. They should be aware of the EWU regulation on "Previous Graduate Credit" which permits no more than 12 pre-admission credits to be counted toward a graduate degree (see the general policies in the front of this catalog). The director of PADM will determine whether they should be granted admission to the program based in part upon their work as post-baccalaureate students.
The "Test Drive"
In the "test drive" applicants will be allowed to take up to 12 quarter credits with permission of the director while completing all admission requirements. The letters of recommendation and career plan summary are not required prior to enrolling in the first 12 credits of classes. It will be necessary to complete the Application for Admission to a Graduate Program and submit it to the Graduate Studies Office with the appropriate fee. Documentation of completing a bachelor's degree will also be required. The application should be signed by the PADM Director with the notation "post-baccalaureate acceptance."
We hope this "test drive" option for graduate school admission will assist our non-traditional students in balancing their lifestyle choices between family, employment and graduate study.
Background Requirements
All students taking a program of study in PADM must provide evidence of having attained a minimum level of education in two background subjects: U.S. domestic political institutions and statistical techniques. Admission may be gained prior to completion of background requirements, but each background requirement is also a recommended prerequisite for a specific course in the core curriculum.
The minimal acceptable grade in any background course is 2.5. For courses taken at an institution using a letter-grade system, a "C" or better is acceptable. Courses taken more than seven years prior to the date of admission to PADM will not normally be accepted. Course credits taken to satisfy background requirements may not be counted toward the MPA degree.
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