PhD Admissions
UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, December 2, 12:00 noon - 2:00 PM
Recruitment Expo at the Massachusetts State House
Beacon Street, Boston
Lunch provided (no RSVP required)
Application Requirements
In addition to submitting the University's Graduate Admissions Application Form and fee, for PhD admissions your application should include:
- A combined autobiographical sketch (highlighting how your life events have led you to apply for a PhD in Public Policy) and personal statement about your interests and reasons for applying to the program, including answers to the following questions: (1500 words)
What are your career objectives?
How will a PhD in public policy advance those objectives?
In what ways does the UMass Boston Public Policy Program address your particular academic, career, and personal goals?
What do you see as your primary activity five years after receiving your PhD degree?
What professional, personal, and academic experiences have especially equipped you for the challenges of graduate school?
What personal strengths will you bring to your graduate-level studies?
What personal limitations or hurdles do you anticipate you must address in order to complete graduate school?
What research and public policy issues are you interested in pursuing at UMass Boston?
What research and public policy experiences have prepared you for research in the Public Policy Program and a career in public policy?
- Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should come from individuals who can assess academic preparation for advanced graduate work.
- Official transcripts of all prior academic work, including evidence of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- A short (3-5 page) academic writing sample or professional policy brief.
- GRE scores (a previous GMAT score is also acceptable).
[Our institutional code is 3924 when you register for the exam.] - A current resume or CV. Please list your educational background on page one with degree(s) earned, name of school(s), major(s) and overall GPA(s).
- A Personal Disclosure Statement (to be provided by Graduate Admissions)
- TOEFL score for all foreign students (unless you have received a degree from an English-speaking university).
NB: Minimum TOEFL scores:
Internet based :79, Computer-based: 213, Paper-based: 550
Once applications have been reviewed, the PhD admissions committee of the program will schedule interviews with all finalists (typically in early to mid-March). Interviews are considered an important part of the application process and, whenever possible, are held on campus.
Final decisions are made by April 1.
Apply today!
Apply on-line or request a catalog and application: http://www.umb.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/index.html
Please note that our application deadline is January 15 for fall PhD admissions. We do NOT accept late applications under any circumstances.
NB: Due to a system upgrade , the on-line application system will be unavailable from November 23 through December 2. We invite you to apply before or after those dates or to download an application if you wish to apply during the down time.
Advanced Standing for Master's Degrees
Students entering the Program with master's degrees in a field relative to Public Policy that were earned no more than seven years prior to matriculation, are eligible for advanced standing. Relevant master's degrees include those received in social sciences, public administration, public policy, social work, labor relations, public health, education and criminal justice.
In addition, we would consider a JD relevant and some MBAs - depending on the focus of the program. You will be awarded up to 12 credit hours to be counted toward elective credit. If you earned the Master's degree more than seven years prior to admission, once admitted, you may petition to the Academic Affairs Committee for a credit reduction but final PhD admissions approval rests with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
Learning to Build an Equitable Society
Contact us at by e-mail at public.policy@umb.edu for more information on PhD admissions, advanced standing for master's degrees, or see our PhD Program contact page for additional information on contacting us.
A PhD Admissions
Frequently Asked Question:
On what basis do you assess PhD admissions applications?
Admission to the PhD program is selective.
As part of the PhD admissions process, a faculty committee considers each application weighing such factors as the match between student interest and our curriculum and faculty research specialties, prior academic preparation, letters of recommendation from former professors, and GRE scores.
Applicants' career goals and areas of policy interest are also weighed heavily in initial screening and during the interviews scheduled with finalists.
Applying for a Ph.D. program:
Some overarching guidelines for applicants
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