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Kansas State University

Public Administration

Application

Application criteria for the Public Administration Graduate Certificate are:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher during junior and senior years of degree program
  • Computer proficiency sufficient to complete the online coursework

Students not meeting the requirements above may be admitted on a provisional basis at the discretion of the director of the Public Administration program if the student has demonstrated adequate preparation in this or an equivalent field and has successfully completed projects of equivalent difficulty.

Students completing the certificate program with a B average or higher will be eligible for admission as a graduate student in the K-State Master's of Public Administration program offered on campus in Manhattan, Kansas.

What's the Cost?

K-State's tuition rates are an exceptional value and are very competitive with those of other universities. Distance education fees are the same whether you are an out-of-state student or a Kansas resident. Tuition includes a per-credit-hour charge and additional fees. Visit www.dce.k-state.edu/courses/ for the total cost of each course.

International Students

Applicants speaking a native language other than English must score at least a 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to be considered for the program. The Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey offers the TOEFL several times each year throughout the world. Applications for TOEFL examinations can be obtained in the applicant's country from the U.S. Information Service Office, the U.S. Consulate Offices, and the U.S. Embassy, or by writing to the Princeton TOEFL Educational Testing Service at Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA. To have your score directed to Kansas State University, use code #6334.

At the time of enrollment, international students entering the Graduate School with a TOEFL score below 600 must also demonstrate proficiency in written and oral English. Those not meeting these requirements must satisfactorily complete English 075 or Speech 075, or both as appropriate, before being allowed to enroll in the program through the Division of Continuing Education. To learn more about the application process, current K-State graduate students should contact the director of the MPA program at 785-532-6842 or polsci@k-state.edu.

Application materials may be submitted to:

Director, MPA Program
Department of Political Science
Kansas State University
Waters Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506

The application procedures and required materials are:

  • Print and fill out the Graduate School Application found at http://www.k-state.edu/grad/gsprospective/apply/index.htm as a non-degree seeking student with Certificate in Public Administration as your field of study. Fill out the application form, sign and date it, and then put the form aside for inclusion with your personal statement of goals.
  • Prepare a brief personal statement of goals. State your academic goals on a separate sheet, giving reasons for the selection of your field of study and your professional plans. The statement can be two to three paragraphs in length. This statement allows faculty to determine your expectations of the program and review a sample of your writing skills.
  • The completed application and personal statement should be sent directly to the director of the MPA program at the above address.
  • Order transcripts. Students should request that all official transcripts be sent directly to the MPA program director at the above address from each college or university where they received a bachelor's degree or completed any advanced coursework. Students whose transcripts are not in English must furnish an English translation by an appropriate authority.
  • Provide three professional and/or academic letters of reference. Request that your three professional and/or academic references send letters directly to the MPA program director at the above address.

International Students

International Study Applicants should request that the Educational Testing Service send official copies of the TOEFL scores directly to the MPA program director at the above address.