Admission to the MPA Program is open to all individuals with a BA or a BS degree from a recognized college or university who meet the admissions requirements of Binghamton University's Graduate School.
All official Graduate School application materials are available through their website or by calling/writing the Graduate School. Contact the Graduate School via its webpage or by e-mail. The mailing address is: Graduate School, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000, (607)777-2151. Please submit the following to the Graduate School:
Your letters of recommendation should be from individuals who know you in a professional capacity such as professors, work supervisors, and professionals from organizations where you have volunteered. In your personal statement, please discuss your background, why you have decided to apply for Binghamton University’s MPA program, and how an MPA will help you achieve your professional goals.
Please review the Graduate School Checklist and follow all the instructions for applying. Forward all application materials directly to the Graduate School. Do not send any application materials to the MPA Program.
The MPA Admissions Committee makes admissions decisions based upon the cumulative record of the applicant. Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to public service and the requisite skills to complete the graduate program. An applicant’s previous academic performance, letters of recommendation, personal statement, extra-curricular activities, community and/or professional service, and GRE scores are all considered in the application review process.
Binghamton University uses standardized test scores as an aid in evaluation of credentials because grade calculations and grading systems vary so much from one institution to another. For example, your grade point average (GPA) might be lower than someone from another institution, yet your GRE scores might indicate that you are equally well or better prepared than someone else. The MPA program does not have minimum requirements for GRE scores.
Score reports must be sent directly from the testing agency to the Graduate School. The GRE school code for Binghamton is: 2535
For applicants who obtained a bachelor’s degree two or more years ago and have been working full-time for two or more years in the public and/or nonprofit sector in the US:
• If you have already taken the GRE test, submit those scores.
• If you have never taken the GRE test, contact Kristina Lambright (klambrig@binghamton.edu) the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Public Administration.
Students may be admitted conditionally if deficiencies in writing or knowledge of American government are present. Conditionally admitted students are required to successfully complete one or more of our basic skills classes before moving to regular status. Please note that basic skills courses do not count toward the MPA degree. Once any conditions of admission have been completed, the Director of Graduate Studies will inform the Graduate School, and the student’s status will be changed to regular admission.
Individuals who have not been admitted to the MPA program but are interested in finding out more about the program may wish to take courses on a non-matriculated basis. All students who wish to take courses on a non-matriculated basis should apply to the Graduate School. Upon acceptance, students should complete the Non-Matriculated Admissions form (.pdf, 43.5kb) and return it to the Department of Public Administration.
