Application Information

Admission is based on a rigorous evaluation of application material. The admissions committee focuses its evaluation on two broad areas: ability to succeed in the program and commitment to public service.

Application Requirements

MPA

  1. BYU Honor Code agreement
  2. Ecclesiastical endorsement
  3. Unofficial transcripts for four-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent
  4. Résumé – work experience is not required
  5. Statement of intent
  6. Three letters of recommendation
  7. Online digital interview
  8. LSAT is accepted for Joint MPA/JD applications
  9. *International Candidates: For additional requirements for international applicants, please click here.

EMPA

  1. BYU Honor Code agreement
  2. Ecclesiastical endorsement
  3. Unofficial transcripts for four-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent
  4. Résumé indicating at least 2 years of full-time work experience
  5. Statement of intent
  6. Three letters of recommendation
  7. Online digital interview

Requirements Explained

A statement of intent should indicate steps taken to prepare to participate in the MPA program. It should address any work experience and the extent to which an MPA degree will be consistent with future career aspirations. This document should typically be no more than two pages. If there are any mitigating circumstances that should be brought to the attention of the admission committee, they should be addressed in this letter. 

Three letters of recommendation should be written by people with whom candidates are professionally or academically acquainted (supervisors or professors), who know the candidate well, and who can address the ability of the candidate to succeed in graduate school. The letters are submitted through the online application process. Simply enter the desired recommender’s name and email address. The recommender will receive a request and can submit the letters directly into the application system. Letters must be current (i.e. candidates may not submit the same letter upon reapplication). The MPA admission committee will accept letters of recommendation written in the letter writers’ native tongue.

The digital interview is completed online through InterviewStream, which is accessed through the application portal. The interview is completed on the candidate’s own time, and does not need to be scheduled in advance. Ensure you are in a quiet place and are ready to begin before recording, as you cannot start over or redo the interview once you have begun. 

Additional Application Information

  • The MPA program has no preferred undergraduate majors and no required prerequisite course work. However, recommended preparatory training includes undergraduate courses in economics and statistics. Students must also be comfortable with basic tasks and functions in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
  • The GRE/GMAT is not required for admission to either the MPA or EMPA program.
  • Candidates are rarely accepted with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0.
  • In the unlikely event that slots become available, late applications are considered.
  • Students applying for the JD/MPA joint degree with the BYU Law School need to take the LSAT for law school admissions.
  • All applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted online. Most schools send transcripts electronically, but, if necessary, transcripts can be mailed to:

          Office of Graduate Studies
          Brigham Young University
          105 FPH
          Provo, UT 84602

Requirements for Admitted Students

  1. Online Preparation Course: All admitted students are required to complete an online Excel and Statistics training course prior to the start of the program. The cost of the course is $99.99. More information about completing this course will be provided upon admission.
  2. New Student Orientation: All admitted students are required to attend new student orientation. Details for each program are below:
    1. MPA: Usually held the week before classes begin and may include overnight trip
    2. EMPA: Usually held two weeks before classes begin and typically runs for a full day

Have Additional Questions?

Request more program information

Contact the MPA Office:

(801) 422-4221

mpa@byu.edu

Visit BYU Graduate Studies for specific information about the application requirements and process or to submit an application.

Contact BYU Graduate Studies if you experience technical issues with submitting the application:

gradstudies@byu.edu.