What materials do I need to apply to the MPA or MSCJPS program?
We require the online application; a personal statement; all transcripts for work that was done outside of the IU system; official GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores; resume and three letters of recommendation.
What are the application deadlines?
The deadline for the fall is May 15. The spring application deadline is September 15. The summer application deadline is March 15. International application deadlines are February 1 for the fall and September 15 for the spring. We will accept late applications, however, course selection may be limited. Course registration for the summer and fall semesters begins in early April, and course registration for the spring semester begins in late October.
What materials do I need to apply to the certificate programs?
We require the online application, a personal statement, resume and all transcripts for work that was done outside of the IU system. We do not require test scores and references for the certificate program.
What are the recommended GPA and test scores for the MPA or MSCJPS program?
We recommend a 3.0 GPA and scores of 300 or higher for GRE, 500 or higher for the GMAT and 150 or higher for the LSAT. Students who meet these minimum requirements are NOT guaranteed admission. Other factors include references, work experience and the personal statement. Different parts of the application are not weighted; the Admissions Committee looks at all parts of the application.
Can I request a waiver of the GRE/GMAT/LSAT?
If you have already earned a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States. you can request a waiver. In addition, certificate students who complete a SPEA graduate certificate with a 3.5 GPA or higher may request a waiver when applying to the MSCJPS or MPA program. Applicants to the MSCJPS program who have 7 or more years or work experience in the field should contact Luke Bickel (317-278-0308 or lbickel@iupui.edu) for more options regarding the standardized test requirement.
If I complete the certificate program can I use the courses for the master's program?
The 15 required credits of the certificate program can be used for the corresponding master's degree program.
Do you offer graduate assistantships or University Fellowships?
SPEA offers graduate assistantships and University Fellowships through a competitive application process. The graduate assistants work 20 hours per week during the academic year. These are research assistantships and not teaching assistantships. In exchange for the 20 hours per week, GAs receive full tuition, most fees, student health insurance and a stipend of $9000 that is paid out monthly over the academic year. Graduate Assistantships are awarded in March for students who will attend full-time. University Fellows receive full tuition, most fees, student health insurance and a stipend of $12,000 that is paid out monthly over the year. University Fellows have no work responsibilities during the first year. The second year they are assigned to work as a graduate assistant. University Fellowships are awarded in February for new incoming students who are starting in the fall and will attend full time.
Mail the completed application and a current resume to:
SPEA Graduate Admissions
801 West Michigan Street
Business/SPEA Building - Room 3025
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Or email to: speaga@iupui.edu
What internship opportunities are available?
Please consult with your faculty advisor and www.iupuispeacareers.com to find the most recent opportunities. In addition, please add yourself to the student listserv to receive job and internship announcements, and follow SPEA on Facebook and Twitter.
I am an international student. How do I apply to SPEA?
Use the online application to SPEA or apply through the Office of International Affairs. You only need to submit one application, but you will need to pay the international application fee. You must submit application documents to SPEA (listed under the degree program), and you are required to provide TOEFL scores or the equivalent of English as a second language. Also, your undergraduate degree must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree.
SPEA requires all transcripts, official GRE scores and three letters of recommendation. Applicants should have at least a 3.0 or higher GPA and a score of 300 or higher on the GRE or 500 or higher for the GMAT. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. We also look at work experience, letters of recommendation and the quality of writing in your personal statement.
In addition, all international applicants to IUPUI whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English as a second language. Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university in the U.S. or an officially recognized university in a country where English is the predominant native language will be deemed proficient. All others must perform satisfactorily on a standardized test of English as a second language proficiency that measures students' preparedness for academic study. At this time, the acceptable examinations and minimum scores for IUPUI are as follows:
Upon arrival, all graduate and professional students admitted to IUPUI must take the ESL Placement Exam administered by the ESL Program before enrolling in the first semester of courses. Students must take the ESL courses in which they have been placed beginning in the first or second semester of enrollments at IUPUI.
International application deadlines
Fall – February 1
Spring – September 15
What are the prerequisites for the MPA program?
Although there are no prerequisites, the MPA program has three recommended undergraduate courses: algebra, microeconomics and statistics. The courses we recommend at IUPUI are MATH-M 110 or higher (algebra), ECON-E 201 (microeconomics) and SPEA-K 300 (statistics). Students can be admitted without these courses, but we strongly recommend that students take them to be fully prepared for the MPA program.
When do I find out if I am accepted into the program?
Students who are admitted to graduate programs are notified by email and letter after the Admissions Committee meets. The Admissions Committee meets once per month and only reviews files that have all transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation and supplemental questions.
How long, on average, does it take for full-time students to graduate?
Full-time students, taking four courses per semester, typically finish in two years.
What is the minimum GPA to stay in the graduate program?
All students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to stay in the program. Only grades of C (2.0) are considered passing. Certificate students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average after 9 credit hours or they face dismissal.
What is the makeup of the graduate student body?
In the 2010-11 school year: 81 full-time students (47 women) and 205 part-time students (142 women); includes 53 minority students (30 African Americans, 6 Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders, 8 Hispanic Americans), and 9 international students.
