Total Credit Hours: 36          Degree Format: Online

The Department of Political Science offers Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree is designed to prepare students for productive and rewarding careers in public service. The format of the program accommodates students currently employed in the public sector as well as students seeking entry-level positions. The MPA program is designed to complement any undergraduate program of study.

Applications for admission will be accepted from any qualified candidates regardless of their undergraduate degree. The MPA program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs (NASPAA).

Students pursuing the MPA degree in residence at one of Valdosta State University’s centers must complete 36 semester hours of coursework, including 24 hours of required core courses and 12 hours in a concentration area approved by the MPA Coordinator.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Julie Lester, email: jlester@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-253-2873

Public Administration Website

ADMISSION DEADLINES

  • Fall Semester: July 15
  • Spring Semester: November 15
  • Summer Semester: April 15

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Online Graduate Application

  • Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
  • Apply Online

Official transcript from your bachelor's degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework.

  • Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.
  • Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally- accredited institution.
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 Scale.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service. We consider evaluations from any services on the NACES Membership list. 

Personal Statement/Goal Statement

  • A one-page to two-page written statement by the applicant stating why they are interested in enrolling in the Master of Public Administration program, what goals they have for advancing their intellectual abilities in the program, and how study in the program will advance their professional goals.

Resume

  • A comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae.

Three Recommendations

  • General Recommendation Form Required
  • Please enter the name and email of your recommenders as you complete the application. They should receive an email inviting them to complete the recommendation after that. If they do not receive the email (or find it in their spam folder), they may submit their recommendation as an email attachment to gradschool@valdosta.edu. The General Recommendation Form can be used if the email from the online recommendation system does not arrive.
  • Letters must be accompanied by the required form or submitted through the online recommendation system.

VSU Medical Form

  • The form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
  • This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
  • Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to en-sure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

International applicants must meet all admission criteria and documentation requirements as defined by the program, however, additional documentation may be required.  Please review the information below for specific information and guidelines. International students are eligible for the on-campus tracks of the MPA program.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam or IELTS exam. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.
  • Certificate of Finances- The Certificate of Finance is required of any applicant requiring a student visa to enter the United States to complete his or her studies. This document is considered a part of the application for admission and applications will not be reviewed without this document.  Applicants who do not require an I-20 student visa to complete their studies are exempt from this requirement.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

  • Regular Status
  • Probationary Status

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.
  • Call Us: 229-333-5694 
  • Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
  • Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

For additional program details contact the Program Coordinator: Dr. Julie Lester, email: jlester@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-253-2873.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. Students must complete an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date
  2. A 3.0 cumulative institutional grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a "C" will be credited toward the degree.
  3. Students must successfully complete PADM 721 and PADM 7900, which must be taken by students during their final semester of coursework. These courses serve as the exit requirement for the MPA program.

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

  1. No grade below “C” will be credited toward the Master of Public Administration degree.
  2. Students will be dismissed from the program if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points. A grade of “C” (while it will be credited toward the MPA degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward the MPA degree) equals two deficiency points.
  3. If dismissed from the program, the student must wait a minimum of two semesters and obtain approval from the academic department, before applying for readmission. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed and prior academic performance and conduct in the program will be considered.
  4. No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a master’s-level graduate program. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission, by the academic department. To be eligible, credit must be no more than seven years old at the time of admission unless otherwise approved by the program.
  5. After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements or admission to doctoral candidacy requirements unless otherwise indicated by individual program requirements. 

Total Credit Hours: 36          Degree Format: Online

The Department of Political Science offers Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) Degree is designed to prepare students for productive and rewarding careers in public service. The format of the program accommodates students currently employed in the public sector as well as students seeking entry-level positions. The MPA program is designed to complement any undergraduate program of study.

Applications for admission will be accepted from any qualified candidates regardless of their undergraduate degree. The MPA program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs (NASPAA).

Students pursuing the MPA degree in residence at one of Valdosta State University’s centers must complete 36 semester hours of coursework, including 24 hours of required core courses and 12 hours in a concentration area approved by the MPA Coordinator.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Julie Lester, email: jlester@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-253-2873

Public Administration Website

ADMISSION DEADLINES

  • Fall Semester: July 15
  • Spring Semester: November 15
  • Summer Semester: April 15

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Online Graduate Application

  • Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
  • Apply Online

Official transcript from your bachelor's degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework.

  • Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.
  • Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally- accredited institution.
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 Scale.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service. We consider evaluations from any services on the NACES Membership list. 

Personal Statement/Goal Statement

  • A one-page to two-page written statement by the applicant stating why they are interested in enrolling in the Master of Public Administration program, what goals they have for advancing their intellectual abilities in the program, and how study in the program will advance their professional goals.

Resume

  • A comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae.

Three Recommendations

  • General Recommendation Form Required
  • Please enter the name and email of your recommenders as you complete the application. They should receive an email inviting them to complete the recommendation after that. If they do not receive the email (or find it in their spam folder), they may submit their recommendation as an email attachment to gradschool@valdosta.edu. The General Recommendation Form can be used if the email from the online recommendation system does not arrive.
  • Letters must be accompanied by the required form or submitted through the online recommendation system.

VSU Medical Form

  • The form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
  • This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
  • Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to en-sure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

International applicants must meet all admission criteria and documentation requirements as defined by the program, however, additional documentation may be required.  Please review the information below for specific information and guidelines. International students are eligible for the on-campus tracks of the MPA program.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam or IELTS exam. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.
  • Certificate of Finances- The Certificate of Finance is required of any applicant requiring a student visa to enter the United States to complete his or her studies. This document is considered a part of the application for admission and applications will not be reviewed without this document.  Applicants who do not require an I-20 student visa to complete their studies are exempt from this requirement.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

  • Regular Status
  • Probationary Status

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.
  • Call Us: 229-333-5694 
  • Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
  • Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

For additional program details contact the Program Coordinator: Dr. Julie Lester, email: jlester@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-253-2873.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. Students must complete an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date
  2. A 3.0 cumulative institutional grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a "C" will be credited toward the degree.
  3. Students must successfully complete PADM 721 and PADM 7900, which must be taken by students during their final semester of coursework. These courses serve as the exit requirement for the MPA program.

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

  1. No grade below “C” will be credited toward the Master of Public Administration degree.
  2. Students will be dismissed from the program if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points. A grade of “C” (while it will be credited toward the MPA degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward the MPA degree) equals two deficiency points.
  3. If dismissed from the program, the student must wait a minimum of two semesters and obtain approval from the academic department, before applying for readmission. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed and prior academic performance and conduct in the program will be considered.
  4. No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a master’s-level graduate program. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission, by the academic department. To be eligible, credit must be no more than seven years old at the time of admission unless otherwise approved by the program.
  5. After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements or admission to doctoral candidacy requirements unless otherwise indicated by individual program requirements.