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The deadline for submitting the admissions application, fee and all required documents is

January 15 for fall admissions.

There are no spring semester admissions.

Although students earn an MS in Public Policy en route, we only admit students to work toward the Ph.D. degree.

Application Requirements

Our Graduate Admissions Office strongly prefers, if possible, you submit your application complete to them in one mailing.

Our University does not accept electronic letters of recommendation

Also, to expediate the review process, please scan and FAX (preferred!), e-mail, or deliver to our Assistant Director a photocopy of what you send to Graduate Admissions  Please include a copy of your GRE score.  [FAX: 617-187-6949]

In addition to submitting the University's Graduate Admissions Application Form and fee, your application should include:

• An autobiographical sketch (min 1200 word statement)* highlighting how your life events have led you to apply for a PhD in Public Policy
  
• A personal statement (min 1200 words)* about your interests and reasons for applying to the program, including answers to the following questions:
  
  What are your career objectives?
  
  How will a PhD in public policy advance those objectives?  
  
  In what ways does the UMass Boston Public Policy Program address your particular academic, career, and personal goals?  
  
  What do you see as your primary activity five years after receiving your PhD degree?
  
  What professional, personal, and academic experiences have        especially equipped you for the challenges of graduate school?  
  
  What personal strengths will you bring to your graduate-level studies?  
  
  What personal limitations or hurdles do you anticipate you must   address in order to complete graduate school?
  
  What research and public policy issues are you interested in          pursuing at UMass Boston?  
  
  What research and public policy experiences have prepared you for research in the Public Policy Program and a career in public    policy? 
  
  *If you wish, you may combine the autobiographical statement
  and personal statement into one longer piece (2400 word min.).
  
• Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should come from individuals who can assess academic preparation for advanced graduate work.
  
• Official transcripts of all prior academic work, including evidence of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  
• A short (3-5 page) academic writing sample or professional policy brief.
  
• GRE scores (a previous GMAT score is also acceptable). 
  [Our institutional code is 3924 when you register for the exam.]
  
• A current resume or CV.  Please list your educational background on page one with degree(s) earned, name of school(s), major(s) and overall GPA(s).
  
• TOEFL score for all foreign students (unless you have received a degree from an English-speaking university).

Once applications have been reviewed, the admissions committee of the program will schedule interviews with all finalists (typically in early to mid-March). Interviews are considered an important part of the application process and, whenever possible, are held on campus. Final decisions are made by April 1.

Apply Today!

Apply on-line or request a catalog and application : http://www.umb.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/index.html

Please note that our application deadline is January 15 for fall admissions.

Advanced Standing for Master's Degrees

Students entering the Program with a master's degree in a field relative to Public Policy, and earned no more than seven years prior to matriculation, are eligible for advanced standing.  A relevant degree would include master's received in social sciences, public administration, public policy, social work, labor relations, public health, education and criminal justice.  In addition, we would consider a JD relevant and some MBAs - depending on the focus of the program.   You will be awarded up to 12 credit hours to be counted toward elective credit.  If you earned the Master's degree more than seven years prior to admission, once admitted, you may petition to the Academic Affairs Committee for a credit reduction but final approval rests with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

Contact us at public.policy@umb.edu for more information.

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