Find your path to admission at the capital city's School of Public Management and Policy
Do you want to join a community of students committed to leading for the greater good? Are you interested in developing skills that will prepare you for a career managing people, policy, projects, or issues affecting the quality of life for all people? If you said yes, let us help you find your place at the Illinois capital city School of Public Management and Policy!
High School Students & First-Year Applicants
Your first step to becoming an SPMP student is to apply to UIS and list our Bachelors of Public and Nonprofit Administration as your intended course of study on your UIS application.
Learn more about how to apply as a first year applicant.
Transfer Students
Before beginning your admission process, you may want to know how your previous coursework transfers to UIS and the SPMP.
Learn more and plan for a successful transfer on the transfer applicants page.
Your next step to becoming an SPMP transfer student is to apply to UIS and list one of our Bachelors of Public and Nonprofit Administration as your intended course of study on your UIS application.
Master of Public Administration (MPA)/Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Online Application
You will complete and submit the online application at the UIS Graduate Admissions website for the term in which you seek to begin the program. When completing the application, be sure to select the program in which you are interested in applying.
Transcripts
UIS requires transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, regardless of if a degree was conferred. You will find direction on submitting transcripts within the application.
Resume
Upload your resume to the online application as a PDF document.
Personal Statement
Upload your personal statement of at least 500 words to the online application as a PDF document. Describe the following: a.) your career goals, b.) what you would contribute to the program, and c.) how the MPA or MPP Program would enhance your professional development.
Two Letters of Recommendation
Enter the contact information for two references and we will contact and have them submit their letters electronically.
International Test Scores
UIS required TOEFL scores for graduate admission consideration are 550 for those who speak English as a second language.
Baseline IELTS overall scores for graduate admission consideration are 6.0.
For more information, international applicants should review the international applicants page.
OPTIONAL: GRE Scores
GRE scores are not required for admissions to the SPMP Graduate programs. However, you may submit them as supplementary material.
Please Note: 2021-2022 MPP Applications should follow the application/admissions requirements listed above. There is an error in the 2021-2022 catalog. Please ignore the statements suggesting required environmental studies and ecology coursework.
Masters in Human Services
Requirements/Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (conditional admission may be granted for a GPA under 3.0)
Prerequisite Courses: Lifespan Development Course and Research Methods/Statistics (can be completed during the first year of the program)
Online Application
You will complete and submit the online application at the UIS Graduate Admissions website for the term in which you seek to begin the program. When completing the application, be sure to select the program in which you are interested in applying.
Transcripts
UIS requires transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, regardless of if a degree was conferred. You will find direction on submitting transcripts within the application.
Resume
Upload your resume to the online application as a PDF document.
Personal Statement
Upload your personal statement of at least 500 words to the online application as a PDF document. Describe your reasoning for pursuing a Human Services degree.
International Test Scores
UIS required TOEFL scores for graduate admission consideration are 550 for those who speak English as a second language.
Baseline IELTS overall scores for graduate admission consideration are 6.0.
For more information, international applicants should review the international applicants page.
OPTIONAL: GRE Scores
GRE scores are not required for admissions to the SPMP Graduate programs. However, you may submit them as supplementary material.
Doctor of Public Administration
Requirements
To be eligible for serious consideration, applicants must hold a completed Master's degree and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 for all graduate work.
Online Application
You will complete and submit the online application at the UIS Graduate Admissions website for the term in which you seek to begin the program. When completing the application, be sure to select the program in which you are interested in applying.
Transcripts
UIS requires transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, regardless of if a degree was conferred. You will find direction on submitting transcripts within the application.
Resume or CV
Upload your resume or CV to the online application as a PDF document.
Educational and Professional Goals Statement
Upload your educational and professional goals statement of at least 600 words to the online application as a PDF document. Describe the following: a) your research and curricular interests (e.g., Fields of Specialization), b) what you would contribute to the program, and c.) how the DPA Program would enhance your professional development.
Professional Writing Sample
Upload at least one solely authored professional writing sample (e.g., policy brief, white paper, strategic plan, Master's thesis, etc.).
Three Letters of Recommendation
When possible, recommendation letters should come from academic references. We will also accept recommendations from individuals who have had a direct supervisory or instructional relationship with you. Recommendations from friends, colleagues, or family members will not be accepted. In all cases, your references should come from individuals who can objectively evaluate your preparation for doctoral-level education. On the online application, you will be asked to provide contact information for three recommenders. Once the contact information has been entered, an email notice will prompt your designated recommenders to upload their letters.
International Test Scores
UIS required TOEFL scores for graduate admission consideration are 550 for those who speak English as a second language.
Baseline IELTS overall scores for graduate admission consideration are 6.0.
For more information, international applicants should review the international applicants page.
OPTIONAL: GRE Scores
GRE scores are not required for admissions to the SPMP Doctoral program.
*Please Note: Doctoral applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with the DPA Admissions Committee members.