Admissions and Financial Aid
Admissions
The deadline for application to the MSPA program ends on May 23rd. We currently do not enroll students for spring matriculation.
Our program follows a cohort model. We admit one cohort of 15-25 students per year.
MSPA Application Requirements:
- a completed application form and application fee, ($60.00 for domestic applicants or $100.00 for international applicants: payable by check )
- three letters of recommendation- we prefer that one letter be from a former professor; other letters can be from a supervisor or individual who can address your intellectual aptitude for graduate study
- a current resume
- 300 word personal statement- on your reasons for considering this UMass Boston MSPA program in relation to your academic background, professional work experience, and career goals
- 1,200 word essay describing your personal qualities and development and how they have influenced your career choice
- all undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges attended
-
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores (previous scores less than five years old will be accepted)
- Register at www.gre.org
- Institutional code: 3924
- TOEFL or IELTS scores: All applicants having received their bachelor’s degree from a college or university outside the United States are required to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language or the International English Language Testing System exam (more on waivers, minimum scores, and international student application process)
Submission Procedures
The application form and application fee should be submitted on-line.
All other application materials should be submitted to The Office of Graduate Admissions by April 15. We prefer to receive a complete application in one mailing.
To expedite the work of our Admissions Committee, please submit a copy of your resume, personal statements, and if they are available to you, unofficial copies of your transcripts, GRE and TOEFL scores.
Apply today for the MSPA Program at UMass Boston
Apply on-line or request a catalog and application
Financial Aid
A One ¼ time assistantships is available for each cohort. Admitted students will be invited to apply prior to the start of classes.
All tuition is waived for assistantship students. However,depending on the level of award (1/4, 1/2, 3/4,or full, ) the stipend, work requirement, waiver of the educational operations fee and credit for the health insurance are all pro-rated. In other words, if you are awarded a ¼ award, all tuition is covered, but you will receive only ¼ of the full-time stipend level, ¼ of the educational operations fee is paid, ¼ of the offered health insurance credit is paid, and you will work four and one half hours per week.
Please note the associated costs for graduate students at either the in-state or out-of-state rates, as appropriate. Please note that all stipend amounts, waivers, tuition and fees are subject to state appropriations and may change each year.
Complete list of current tuition and fee charges
More on Financial Aid for UMass Boston graduate students
Other Resources for Financial Aid
The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration offers an extensive list regarding financial aid, scholarships, fellowships and loans for prospective public affairs graduate students.
