All applications for admission to the MPA program are made to the Graduate College but are reviewed by the MPA Admission Committee. The committee considers all training and preparation, general abilities, and previous experience.

The online application system allows you to upload unofficial transcripts of all college-level work to the Graduate College for immediate evaluation.

Application Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • A GPA of at least 2.75 overall or 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study.
  • A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or a satisfactory score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). The scores should be mailed directly to the School of Public Policy and Leadership at GUA 3117, Box 454030.
    • If you have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and five years of responsible administrative or professional work experience in the public or nonprofit sector, you can apply for a GRE or GMAT waiver. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator.
    • If you have completed the school’s Graduate Certificate in Public Management with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, you do not need to submit GRE or GMAT scores.
  • A personal statement detailing how the MPA degree will assist you with your educational and professional goals.
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors, employers and/or professional colleagues.
  • A current resume indicating educational and professional experience.

Application Process

  • Complete the .
  • Identify the three people you wish to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf. They will, in turn, upload their letters to the Graduate College’s online application site. To get this process started, go to the Graduate College's Application process webpage and click on the RECOMMENDATIONS link at the left side of the page immediately below the Application process links. Then make sure you check "yes" when it asks you about submitting your letters electronically.
  • The following items should be sent to the MPA Graduate Coordinator:
    • Personal Statement
    • Current Resume
    • Unofficial transcripts

The three items above may be sent electronically to or mailed to the MPA Graduate Coordinator in the School of Public Policy and Leadership, GUA 3162 Box 454030, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4030.

Admission Deadlines

Contact Us

Graduate Coordinator

Dr. Jayce Farmer 
GUA 3113
Phone: 702-895-4440

Please visit the Master of Arts in Urban Leadership page for information.

Admission Requirements

  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better.
    • Submit an explanation of meaningful work experience that demonstrates understanding of the intended field of study.
    • Submit a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (combined score of at least 900 on the verbal and quantitative sections).
  • Evidence of having been awarded the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Three letters of reference.
  • A resume indicating educational and professional experience.
  • A personal statement indicating career and educational goals and commitment to receiving an ECEM degree.

Or

  • If less than a 3.0 GPA, an applicant must: Take the GRE and Provide Proof of Doing So and Grade or Ask for a Waiver Based Upon Work Experience

Application Process

To apply for admission students must submit the following:

  • A completed UNLV Graduate College application.
  • Official transcripts displaying all previous regionally accredited college/university work.
  • Exchange applicants must also submit:
    • An official TOEFL score (minimum score of 550) or comparable evidence of competence in English.
    • A completed financial statement before credentials can be reviewed.

Application Deadline

April 1
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Contact

ecem@unlv.edu

School of Public Policy and Leadership: 

Attn: ECEM
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Box 454030
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4030

The program accepts no more than 16 students annually, with application materials due by April 1. Applicants will be notified by June for fall admission. The following items must be submitted for admission into the program.

Graduate College Requirements

  • University Graduate College online application.
  • Official transcripts of previous college course work. If you received your master’s degree from UNLV, you do not need to get transcripts from the undergraduate colleges you attended.
  • Minimum TOEFL of 600 for students whose native language is not English

Program Requirements

To be submitted with application online:

  • Written personal statement providing the reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Affairs
  • Current resume
  • Minimum GRE scores of 1000 (verbal and quantitative sections combined). Satisfactory GRE scores submitted with the application.
  • Three letters of recommendation. You will be allowed to identify the individuals you wish to have send reference letters on your behalf through the online application. Your references will then submit the letters electronically to the application system.
  • Samples of written work. A writing sample should be a paper completed while working on a master’s degree. If you do not have a manuscript readily available, you can submit a paper you have published or done at work. If you use something from work, you must provide evidence that the manuscript was clearly your work product.

Mailing Address

Note: Applications are not to be mailed to this address.

School of Public Policy and Leadership
GUA 5104 Box 453007 (PAF)
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3007

Transfer Credits

The acceptance of transfer credits is subject to the approval of the program advisor. If you are requesting the acceptance of transfer credits, you must submit a request in writing to the program coordinator. The credits must have been completed with a grade of “B” or better within six years preceding admission to the graduate program and must not have been used for another degree. No internship or practicum credits will be accepted as transfer credits.

Questions about the application process may be addressed to Jayce Farmer at 702-895-4440 or jayce.farmer@unlv.edu.