PPA Admissions and Eligibility

What you should know

Priority application period for fall 2014 is
October 1 - December 1, 2013.
We will continue to accept applications through March 1, 2014 on a space available basis.

Students may pursue the MPPA degree on a full time or part time basis. While either option is suitable depending on students’ needs, courses are generally scheduled to accommodate the employed or part time student given their time constraints. The program requires a minimum of 36-39 units regardless of whether students are enrolled full or part time. Full time students can expect to complete all degree requirements in about two years; part time students can normally expect to complete degree requirements in about three years.

Application

The application process consists of two components which you complete simultaneously: 1) the University application and 2) the supplemental program application.

1) University Application

• • California State University on-line graduate application.
    (International applicants complete the International on-line graduate application in stead.)
  • Two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
    (send transcripts directly to the Office of Graduate Studies).

2) Supplemental Program Application

All these materials should be submitted to the PPA department unless otherwise noted.

• • Supplemental program application.
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.
  • One to two page statement of purpose. 
  • Three letters of recommendation (get forms here).
  • Optional -- resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Optional -- unofficial transcripts or grade report (not a substitute for the official transcripts you send to Graduate Studies).

International Applicants

In addition to the above, international applicants complete the following. The Office of International Programs can assist you.

• • California State University International On-line Application
  • TOFEL scores for students whose primary language is not English (additional TOFEL information).

Other Requirements

Undergraduate work ~ Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Prerequisites ~ A grade of B or better is required in all prerequisite courses. Prerequisites are: microeconomics, statistics, and government/political science. Applicants with prerequisite deficiencies may be required to complete additional course work.

Deadline

The priority application period is October 1 through December 1 for the following fall. We continue to accept applications on a space availabe basis through March 1. (These are application completion deadlines.)
There are no Spring admissions.

The application period begins October 1.

Average GRE Scores and GPA

Here is a year to year chart with average GRE scores and the average GPA of students admitted to our program. Prospective students may find this information both interesting and useful. You can compare your scores and grade point average to previous entering classes.