What kind of job will the MPA program prepare me for?
What skills and knowledge are important for me to be successful in the MPA program?
Do most MPA students enter the program directly after college?
What type of background do I need to enter the MPA program?
Do you admit students in both the Fall and Spring Semesters?
What are your deadlines for application submission?
What criteria are used for admission into the program?
What is an acceptable GPA or GRE score?
Should I retake the GRE if my score is low?
What is an acceptable score for the TOEFL?
Is it possible for me to register for MPA courses before being admitted to a graduate program?
How long will it take me to earn my degree?
Does the program accept transfer credits?
Once admitted to the Martin School, what do I need to know?
Q: What kind of job will the MPA program prepare me for?
A: MPA alumni are working in federal government agencies, in state agencies, and in regional and local and not-for-profit organizations. Our graduates serve as policy analysts, program managers, budget analysts, researchers, elected officials, program evaluators, community and economic development specialists.
The MPA is a practitioner-focused degree. Through the core curriculum, students gain experience and knowledge in public management, budgeting, public finance, research and policy analysis, and program evaluation. Specialization classes allow students to fine tune the skills and knowledge they will need in their chosen subfield.
Q: What skills and knowledge are important for me to be successful in the MPA program?
A: The successful student will have good oral and written communication skills and be able to think analytically. They will have taken undergraduate microeconomics and college algebra or statistics and be able to use basic computer applications including word processing and spreadsheets programs.
Q. Do most MPA students enter the program directly after college?
A: Our graduate students are about equally divided between pre-service individuals who have little or no work experience and in-service individuals who are currently working.
Q: What type of background do I need to enter the MPA program?
A: Students enter the MPA program from a wide variety of backgrounds including business, journalism, history and biology. Most BA and BS programs provide the critical thinking, writing and analysis skills emphasized in the program. Commitment to public service is more important that any specific undergraduate major. If you have not had an undergraduate micro-economics class you will need to take an introductory economics course (like Economics 201) before or during the first semester of course work before you take Public Policy Economics (PA 652).
Q: Do you admit students in both the Fall and Spring Semesters?
A: In general, students are admitted in the fall term. Occasionally, a few students who have transfer work either because they have begun MPA coursework at another institution or as non-degree graduate students at U.K. are admitted in the spring term.
Q: What are your deadlines for application submission?
A: The Martin School accepts applications for the fall term until July 1 and for the spring term until November 1. Applications received sooner will have a greater chance of receiving support.
Q: What criteria are used for admission into the program?
A: The Martin School is a nationally-ranked, competitive program. The Admissions committee reviews the file to admit academically strong applicants who show the greatest potential for completing the program and succeeding in a career. We look for applicants whose backgrounds will contribute to the academic excellence and the demographic, educational and experiential diversity of each class. Because our educational goal is to prepare leaders for government service and not-for profit leadership, our review considers all components of the application.
Your academic qualifications are accessed based on grade point average, undergraduate major, institutions, GRE scores and academic references. The admissions committee also considers your personal essay, work experience, letters of recommendation, writing skills, and extracurricular, community and professional activities in order to assess your abilities and motivation to succeed in a graduate program.
Q: What is an acceptable GPA or GRE score?
A: We do not have a minimum GRE score requirement. The average GRE score of applicants admitted to the program varies from year to year, depending on the pool of applications received. The average of those admitted last year is 1130 (Verbal + Quantitative). While we consider many elements of an applicant's background when making admission decisions, it is important that applicants have a competitive GRE score.
We realize there are certain limitations with standardized tests like the GRE; however, the GRE gives us a very important comparison among applicants from different schools and majors. Therefore, we encourage you to prepare for the exam, take it as early as possible, and retake it if you do not score competitively.
The average GPA of those admitted last year was 3.32. We expect a minimum GPA of 3.0 but occasionally will make exceptions for special circumstances. The University's Graduate School requires a 2.75 GPA for entry into a master's program.
Q: Should I retake the GRE if my score is low?
A: We encourage applicants to prepare well in order to score competitively on the GRE (average verbal + quantitative scores last year was 1130). If you feel that your GRE score does not reflect your true abilities--you did not adequately prepare or extenuating circumstances the day of the test affected your performance-- we strongly encourage you to retake the test to improve your score. We will use the highest score earned on the GRE.
UK offers an inexpensive GRE Review class. For more information, click here: http://www.uky.edu/UGS/study/prepcourses.php
Q: What is an acceptable score for the TOEFL?
A: To be a competitive applicant, we require a TOEFL score of 550 or above (paper-based test) or 213 or above (computer-based test). Students are expected to complete a great deal of reading and writing in the program. A strong command of the English language is imperative for success, thus we also require the Test of Written English (TWE) with a score of 4.5 or higher.
Q: Can I work while in school?
A: Study required for the MPA program is intensely time consuming and includes classroom time, individual study time, group work and other program requirements and activities. Full Time Program students can expect each week to spend 20 hours in class, 30-45 hours in individual and group study, plus time for programs sponsored by Martin School. This time commitment is incompatible with full-time work. First Year MPA Program students should not work more than 20 hours per week while in the program. Students who must maintain full-time employment should plan on being enrolled half time or less in the MPA program.
Q: Is it possible for me to register for MPA courses before being admitted to a graduate program?
A: Yes. The Martin School's MPA classes are in very high demand and are therefore not open to the general public. However, Post-baccalaureate Graduate Students may call the Martin School on the first day of classes and may obtain permission to register for classes if there are spaces available.
Q: How long will it take me to earn my degree?
A: The degree is 42 credits and takes two academic years and one summer to earn full-time. Part-time students may complete the degree at their own pace, usually three to four years.
Q: Does the program accept transfer credits?
A: Yes, Graduate School rules allow 9 credits or up to 25% of a degree's requirements to be transferred into a program, provide that these credits have not be been applied toward another degree. The Director of Graduate Studies will determine what requirements, if any are filled by transferred classes.
Q: Should I have to temporarily suspend my education for personal or professional reasons, can I come back and complete the program?
A: Yes. The Graduate School requires that any student complete their Masters degree in eight years. Effective fall 2009, if you are an enrolled graduate student at the University of Kentucky and you sit out for one or more semesters you will need to complete a new application and pay the application fee in order to be considered for readmission. In many instances you can avoid this requirement by requesting a “leave of absence”. In addition to avoiding the application process, this status will allow you to priority register in preparation for your return.
Procedurally, you should contact your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) to seek approval for the leave prior to the beginning of the semester in question. If approved, the DGS will contact your Graduate School admissions officer who will modify your record accordingly. You may request no more than two consecutive and four total semesters in leave of absence status. Post-qualifying doctoral students are not eligible for the leave of absence.
International students considering a leave of absence are strongly encouraged to discuss their plans with the Office of International Affairs, Department of Immigration Services prior to making a formal request.
Q: Once admitted to the Martin School, what do I need to know?
A: Click here for information for incoming Martin School Students