Admissions 

Effective July 1, 2008, the admissions factors for the MPA program are:  

1. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better from an accredited college or university;

2. Three strong letters of recommendation;

3. One well-written professional statement essay; and,

4. A commitment to public service as evidenced by academic, professional and/or volunteer experience as noted on the applicant’s resume.  

Substantial graduate work, successfully completed, is also taken into consideration, especially if the applicant’s undergraduate GPA is below 3.0.  

The essay is a 750-1000 word essay that asks applicants “How has your personal, professional and academic background influenced your decision to pursue your chosen career? How and why will the pursuit of graduate education through the Center for Public Service at Seton Hall University assist you in achieving your professional goals?”  

In regards to the 3.0 GPA requirement, faculty not only look at the cumulative GPA, but also look at grade trends and look closely at courses that may provide an indication of the applicant’s writing, analytical and critical thinking abilities. If the applicant does not meet the 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement or the faculty does not feel the student is quite ready for graduate work, the applicant is given the opportunity to further demonstrate his or her ability to succeed in the MPA program by one of three avenues. 

1. Taking up to 3 MPA courses as a non-matriculating student, achieve a GPA of 3.0 in these classes, and re-apply for full admission into the program;

2. Apply to one of the three certificate programs that we offer in nonprofit, healthcare or arts management.  Successfully complete the certificate program of five courses and re-apply for full admission into the program.

3. Accept a “conditional acceptance,” where the student is admitted to the program, but with the understanding they must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in there first four classes to remain in the program.  

Applicants are not guaranteed admission through the first two avenues and must formally re-apply to the program. In contrast, the standard for a conditional acceptance is spelled our quite clearly to those students accepted this way.  

Final admission decisions are not based on any one of the above criteria. Decisions are made based on how well the faculty believes that the application materials demonstrate the applicant’s ability to succeed in the MPA program.