Master of Public Policy Application Requirements

A personal statement is required of all applicants. In 500 words or fewer, discuss how your goals for the future (a) reflect your educational, professional, and personal history and (b) relate to the work you hope to pursue in the Humphrey School's MPP program.

The Humphrey School seeks to create an inclusive and supportive school environment, where diverse people and perspectives can flourish. In no more than 500 words, discuss how you will advance equity and inclusion at the Humphrey School and in the broader world. If relevant, applicants are welcome to discuss their personal experiences of obstacles or issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A resume or CV is required of all applicants. Please include information about awards, leadership, and service or volunteer activities in your resume.

At least three letters of recommendation are required. Please request your letters of recommendation through the Graduate School application system. If your recommender cannot upload their recommendation online, they may send it in a sealed envelope, signed across the back flap, to the Humphrey School. Faxed and emailed copies are not accepted.

We require letters that provide an appraisal of the candidate's ability to pursue an advanced degree, experience in, or potential for, public service and leadership, motivation and purpose, and strengths and weaknesses that might affect the candidate's performance and potential for success as a graduate student.

Submission of GRE scores is optional. No preference will be given in the admission or merit aid awarding process simply because an applicant chooses to submit GRE scores. Applications to the Humphrey School are reviewed holistically, so GRE scores (if submitted) would be only one of many factors considered in our academic evaluation of your application. For those unsure of whether to submit test scores, applicants are encouraged to consider if their GRE scores represent their academic ability and potential and/or highlight an academic strength. Similarly, students should consider submitting GRE scores if their academic record and professional experiences do not provide sufficient evidence of their quantitative, verbal, and reasoning abilities.

Further notes:

• The Humphrey School does not have a strict minimum GRE score required for admission
• If you’ve taken the GRE multiple times and choose to submit GRE scores in your application, the Humphrey School will use the highest score for each section, even if from different test dates
• GRE scores are valid for five years from the date that you took the test and must be valid at the time that you submit your application
• Self-reported scores can be used for the purposes of the admission and merit aid awarding processes. Please upload a copy of your score report to your application in the “Test Scores” section under “GRE Test Score Report”
• If you choose to send official scores directly from ETS, the institution code for the University of Minnesota is 6874. There is no need for a department code
• If you have any questions, please email the Humphrey Admissions Office at [email protected]

Transcripts are required of all applicants. Unofficial transcripts or academic records of all post secondary institutions attended should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts (there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review). If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material.

The University of Minnesota and the Humphrey School requires international applicants to submit scores from either the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or MELAB examination to assess English language proficiency. Minimum score requirements:

• TOEFL: minimum of 100 (22 on each section)
• IELTS: minimum 7.0
• Duolingo: minimum overall score: 115, minimum literacy subscore: 115 
   

Visit the Graduate School website for more information on the English language requirement and minimum scores for admission.

Applicants wishing to provide additional information to the admissions committee which is not appropriate for other required documents but may be helpful in their consideration as a candidate for admission can submit a statement of extenuating circumstances. Examples may include, but are not limited to: explanations for grade trends during undergraduate work, time lapses between employment as documented in the resume/CV, or other personal circumstances which may provide additional and helpful context.

The application fee is $75 for domestic students and $95 for international students.

The Humphrey School provides application fee waivers for Pickering Fellows, PPIA Fellows, Truman Scholars, Americorps, City Year, and Returning Peace Corps Volunteers applying for the Peace Corps/Coverdell Fellowship. Additionally, McNair Scholars may qualify for a University of Minnesota McNair Application Fee Grant which pays for the cost of an application fee.

*Please note- application fee waivers are for full time master's programs only.

All Humphrey School applicants must complete the Graduate School application including the additional Humphrey School section.

Apply today