The admissions goal of the Masters Program in Public Policy and Administration is to recruit students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives who will contribute to the academic and public life of the program.  The Admissions Committee, which typically consists of the Associate Director for academics and two CPPA faculty, reviews each student’s application and assesses it based on GRE scores, academic record, letters of recommendation, work/volunteer experience, and demonstrated commitment to/passion for public service.    We prefer to admit applicants who have at least two years of work experience in a job related to public policy or administration; however, we admit strong students who have just completed their undergraduate degrees if they have demonstrated a commitment to public service. 

In the case of students coming directly from an undergraduate institution, greater weight is normally given to traditional academic criteria - undergraduate records and GRE scores - than for those students with professional experience.

Financial assistance is granted on a competitive basis, and might include a waiver of tuition and fees, a stipend and health insurance. Students who receive financial assistance through the program work within the Center or on research projects with individual faculty members. To be elligible for any financial assistance, including assistantships, students must complete a federal financial aid application.

To Request or Download an Application
Download an application at the Graduate School web site
or call the application request line at (413) 545-0721,
or send a request to:
                     Graduate Admissions Office
                     Goodell Building
                     University of Massachusetts
                     Amherst, MA 01003    USA

Application Requirements
Your application should include:
                     * Completed application form
                     * Statement of purpose
                     * Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work
                     * Official Graduate Record Examination scores
                     * Two letters of recommendation
                     * International students are required to submit an official TOEFL score report as well as the GRE

Application Deadlines
February 1     Applications for September admission must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office.     April 15           Date by which successful applicants for September admission will be notified.

Visiting Campus
The Center for Public Policy and Administration is located in the beautiful Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, only two hours from Boston. We encourage applicants to visit the Center and talk to faculty, staff and students, to discuss in person the opportunities available, and to sit in on a class or hear a speaker.    To arramge a visit, please email Kathy Colón at kcolon@pubpol.umass.edu.

Financial Aid
The University of Massachusetts Financial Aid Office provides detailed information on the options available to all prospective UMass graduate students. Applicants are strongly encouraged to research all areas of graduate financial aid that may be available to them. Some resources include:

Fellowship Opportunities for Foreign Nationals
Click here for a list of funding sources for international students.

Fellowship Opporunities for Domestic Students
Click here for a list of funding sources for domestic students.

Research assistantships through CPPA
CPPA also offers some financial aid in the form of paid research assistantships. Available assistantships may be offered to highly qualified first and second year students.  Along with a bi-weekly stipend, research assistantships may come with a tuition and curriculum fee waiver and paid health insurance. Research assistants (RAs) primarily work with core professors within the department. Minority students are encouraged to apply.

To be considered for a CPPA graduate research assistantship, applicants must 1.) complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and 2.) indicate on their CPPA application that they are interested in being considered for financial aid.

Program Costs
Costs for the MPPA program include tuition costs, university fees, healthcare costs, and living expenses. A breakdown of all costs is available through the Bursar's website. When calculating tuition costs, please remember that the MPPA program requires the completion of 48 credits.