Application to the public policy and administration program may be made for the fall, spring, or summer semester for the public management concentration and community development concentration. Applications for the international public service and development concentration should be submitted for the fall semester only. All applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate school.
2. Submit official transcripts showing all coursework from undergraduate and graduate schools.
3. Except for accelerated bachelor of arts/master of public administration (B.A./M.P.A.) applicants, submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Results must be received directly from the Educational Testing Service. Results of law school (LSAT) or business (GMAT) exams may be submitted in lieu of the GRE. All results must be submitted within three years of the test date. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants holding a graduate degree.
4. Submit three letters of recommendation.
5. Submit a statement regarding the applicant's personal and professional goals and experience. (This statement should be prepared carefully since it weighs heavily in admissions considerations.)
6. Submit a current résumé.
7. Submit a completed online application via http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/apply.shtml. You can pay your required application fee online, as well. The three letters of recommendation and all supplemental information can be mailed to the Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 406 Penn Street, Camden, NJ 08102.
Nonmatriculated Status
The department accepts a limited number of students on a nonmatriculated basis. To apply for nonmatriculated enrollment status, a student must:
1. Complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate school.
2. Submit an online application for Nonmatriculated (nondegree) Graduate Study.
3. Submit a written statement listing personal and professional goals and why he or she is applying for nonmatriculated status.
4. Submit official transcripts showing all coursework and degree(s) from all undergraduate and graduate institutions.
5. Submit a check or pay online for the required application fee.
6. Indicate the courses that he or she plans to enroll in. (Note: Nonmatriculated students may not enroll in more than two courses per semester and in no more than a total of four 3-credit courses as a nonmatriculated student. It is the student's responsibility to keep track of this requirement.)
7. Submit a current résumé.
A student who has been rejected for regular admission may not apply to take classes on a nonmatriculated basis within one year from the date of rejection.
No student will be approved to take classes on a nonmatriculated basis unless his or her application has been received by August 1 for the fall semester, by December 1 for the spring semester, and by April 1 for the summer semester.
Applicants who are accepted as nonmatriculated students may take no more than 12 credits, all of which must be chosen from core courses (see Degree Requirements). Questions concerning admission should be directed to the director of the graduate program.
Executive M.P.A.
Enrollment requirements for the Executive M.P.A. program include:
five-plus years of mid- to upper-level administrative and/or managerial experience in a public or nonprofit sector position
minimum undergraduate 3.0 GPA
two letters of reference
demonstrated commitment to public service expressed in a personal statement
