- Campuses :
- Twin Cities
- Crookston
- Duluth
- Morris
- Rochester
- Other Locations
When are the application deadlines?
October 31: deadline for MPA spring admission
January 5: merit-based financial aid deadline for MPP, MDP, MURP, and MS–STEP
April 1: merit-based financial aid deadline for MPA
April 1: last day to be considered for admission for all programs
*Applications are considered after deadlines on a space-available basis only.
My college GPA is below a 3.0. Can I still apply to the Humphrey Institute?
Yes. We consider all aspects of you application, so you may still be eligible for admission if you have met all the prerequisites and have strengths in other areas of your application.
If certain factors led to low academic performance or test scores, please include a letter with your application detailing these extenuating circumstances and why you expect to perform better in graduate school.
Are there prerequisites for my degree program?
Look here for more about the prerequisite courses required for the MPP, MURP, MS–STEP, MDP, or MPA.
What should I include in my statement of purpose?
Tell us what experiences have motivated you to pursue this particular degree, what you want to do when you complete your course of study, about leadership roles you have held, and whether there is a specific faculty member with whom you want to work. Your statement should be no more than 500 words, double-spaced.
Who should I ask to write a letter of recommendation for me?
We prefer letters from professors with whom you studied, work supervisors, directors or board members of organizations with which you have volunteered, and other colleagues who can speak to your
academic achievement and potential,
leadership abilities, and potential for a successful career in public affairs. Please avoid letters from family members, personal friends, or others who have not directly supervised your professional or academic work.
Do I need to submit letters of recommendation to the University of Minnesota Graduate School as well as the Humphrey Institute?
Please ask those writing letters of recommendation for you to use the Graduate School’s online system [http://www.grad.umn.edu/prospective_students/apply_online.html] to upload their letters. They do not have to fill out the ratings section; this section is not considered in our review process. If, for some reason, those writing recommendations for you cannot upload their letters online, they may send a hard copy to the Humphrey Institute in a sealed envelope signed with their signature across the flap. We cannot accept e-mail or faxed references.
When should I take the GRE?
Please plan to take the GRE at least four weeks before the date by which you want the scores to arrive at our office: by December 5 for the January 5 deadline or by March 1 for the April 1 deadline. To be applicable, GRE scores must be less than five-years-old.
What minimum GRE scores do I need to be considered?
We do not require minimum GRE scores, and do not make admissions decisions solely on the basis of the GRE. A low GRE score does not eliminate you from consideration; neither does a high GRE score guarantee you admission. Average scores for our incoming students are:
Verbal: 550
Quantitative: 630
Writing: 5.0
Is work experience required?
Applicants for the Master of Public Affairs degree must document at least ten years of professional experience. There is no firm work experience requirement for our other programs
but, on average, incoming students have 3-5 years of work experience. For
students applying for enrollment directly after attaining their bachelor's degree, more weight is usually given to traditional academic measures like GRE and GPA.
Can I be admitted for spring or summer instead of fall semester?
Only the MPA program accepts applicants for spring term. None of our programs admit students to begin in the summer.