Program eligibility requirements
Applicants who have completed the GMAT or GRE may submit an official copy of these scores and by-pass the quantitative admissions assessment. Applicants who have not completed the GMAT or GRE must complete our free online quantitative tutorial/assessment in math and statistics, i.e., ALEKS, if cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 in the last two years of study. All applicants are required to submit an admissions essay, which also serves as a writing assessment. The quantitative tutorial/assessment (if required) and admissions essay must be completed before a final admission decision is made and before any graduate-level classes can be taken.
English and quantitative competence assessment
All graduate students are expected to demonstrate English and quantitative competence at a level that ensures success in graduate studies. Applicants whose abilities are assessed to be inadequate for graduate study may be required to enroll in appropriate undergraduate courses until their skills have been brought to a satisfactory level. These undergraduate courses must be successfully completed prior to taking any graduate level courses.
Admission decisions
The Graduate Admissions Committee evaluates applications for evidence of undergraduate scholarship, professional experience and demonstrated aptitude for successful graduate study. Applicants who meet all application requirements are given full admission to the MPNA program. Applicants who meet some, but not all admissions requirements, may be granted conditional admission to the program. Conditionally-admitted students must complete selected prerequisite courses prior to registering for any graduate course work. Applicants denied admission may not take graduate level courses.
Application instructions
Questions?
For questions about applying to the Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration program, email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu (preferred) or call 651-793-1302.
Deadlines
For U.S. citizens, permanent residents and international students already in the United States:
- July 20: Fall semester
- December 15: Spring semester
- April 10: Summer term
For international students outside the United States:
- May 1: Fall semester
- September 1: Spring Semester
- No summer admissions
Applications are complete once all requirements are met and fee received. Completed application files will be forwarded to the College of Community Studies and Public Affairs Graduate Admission Committee for review, please allow 10-12 business days.
Late applications
Applications will continue to be accepted beyond the deadline, however we cannot guarantee admission, though we can defer admission to the next available semester.
Incomplete applications will be moved to the next available semester for up to three terms total, giving applicants who need it, up to one year to complete their application file.
Application
A complete application file consists of two parts (three for international applicants.) Begin by completing the online graduate application. All application materials become the property of Metropolitan State University and are not returned.
Part One
- Complete the Online Graduate Application — You will use your Minnesota State StarID to complete the application. If you don't have a Minnesota State StarID you will create one at the beginning of the application.
- If you do not have or choose not to provide your Social Security number (SSN) please follow the No SSN instructions to activate your StarID.
- If you encounter difficulty with the online application please email graduate.studies@metrostate.edu
- $20 non-refundable application fee; pay online
- Waived for graduates of Metropolitan State, and for certified veterans & active military.
- Official transcripts
- Transcript showing a baccalaureate degree or equivalent earned from a regionally accredited institution with grade-point average or narrative description describing courses completed.
- Transcripts from any graduate or professional programs are required.
- All transcripts from non-U.S. schools must be evaluated (course-by-course) by either ECE (preferred) or WES
- Electronic transcripts (preferred) should be sent to admissions@metrostate.edu
- Paper transcripts should be sent directly from the sending institution (preferred) to:
- Metropolitan State University
Attn: Graduate Admissions
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
- Metropolitan State University
Part Two
After you have submitted your online application, log in to the Applicant Portal using your StarID and password to upload application materials, and check on the status of your application. The Applicant Portal will indicate missing application items.
- Current Resume; upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID.
- One year of professional work experience is recommended for the program; volunteer experience will be considered in addition to employment.
- Two Professional Letters of Recommendation; upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID.
- Two letters of recommendation from employers or others who can attest to the importance of the master's degree in enhancing your professional development and commenting on your ability to pursue and successfully complete a graduate program. Personal recommendations, including family, are not accepted.
- Math Assessment
- The MPNA program recently teamed up with ALEKS.com to create a free, online math assessment specifically designed for our applicants. Essential Math Skills for Business is a free, online, self-paced math assessment that will teach you the skills you need to succeed.
- To register:
- Apply to the MPNA first (see Part One) and submit your admission essay (see below).
- Email your name and StarID to graduate.studies@metrostate.edu and request your assessment and individual access codes.
- 85% of topics must be mastered in order to successfully complete the assessment.
- You have 60 days to complete the assessment, and the assessment must be complete by the application deadline.
- ALEKS is only required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work.
- Admission Essay
- Upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID. Your admission essay will serve as both a goals statement and a writing assessment. The admissions essay is extremely important to the application review process. Submit your essay in 600-700 words (about three pages) in 12-point font, double-spaced, clearly written, well-organized, with correct grammar, accurate spelling and punctuation, good sentence structure, and clear sub-headings. Make sure that you carefully address each of the following:
- Describe the kinds of responsibilities and positions you have held in your past work and professional experience (volunteer or employed).
- Explain why you are pursuing a graduate degree at this time in public and nonprofit administration, nonprofit leadership and management, or public administration. Give particular attention to the area of service in which you work or plan to work.
- Describe the important features of a public issue, problem, or policy that you consider important to understand and address in your area of service.
- Upload via the Applicant Portal using your StarID. Your admission essay will serve as both a goals statement and a writing assessment. The admissions essay is extremely important to the application review process. Submit your essay in 600-700 words (about three pages) in 12-point font, double-spaced, clearly written, well-organized, with correct grammar, accurate spelling and punctuation, good sentence structure, and clear sub-headings. Make sure that you carefully address each of the following:
Part Three - International Students Only
In addition to parts one and two, international applicants in the U.S. or abroad, on any type of visa, are required to provide this information for admission to the university.
Required by the application deadline:
Official scores must be submitted, student copies are not acceptable. Metropolitan State University's school code for TOEFL is 6445.
- Proof of English proficiency (official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score)
- Minimum scores: TOEFL 80 IBT, 213 CBT, 550 PBT, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 105-110
- IBT=internet based; CBT=computer based; PBT=paper based
Required only if admitted to the program:
If you are offered and accept admission to the program, you are required to provide this information to the International Student Services Office to complete your admission to the university.
- Financial statement (F1 visa only)
- Immunization records
- Copies of passport, visa, I-94, and international home address and phone numbers
Questions about applying to the MPNA?
Please contact Graduate Studies at graduate.studies@metrostate.edu (preferred) or call 651.793.1302.
Office location
MEC Building
Office M4004
1300 Harmon Place
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Mailing address
1501 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403