Graduate Admission Procedure
Application Information about graduate study, including literature and application materials, may be obtained from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs Web site (www.spea.iupui.edu).
Eligibility For most programs, applicants with bachelor's degrees in any field from an accredited institution are eligible to apply for admission to the graduate programs of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Application Submission Applicants should apply to a degree or certificate program and request financial assistance as early as possible before the desired semester of enrollment. All forms must be completed and received by the SPEA Graduate Admissions Office at IUPUI before May 15 to attend the fall semester, before September 15 to attend the spring semester, and by March 15 to attend the summer sessions. SPEA accepts late applications for admission.
Admission Each application for admission is carefully evaluated by the admissions committee for the appropriate degree. Applicants to all SPEA degree programs must do the following:
- Submit applications to the graduate program office. Application materials can be found at www.spea.iupui.edu; select Prospective Students and click on APPLY for instructions and information.
- Submit complete official transcripts from any other colleges and universities attended. Exception: Students who have taken course work on any Indiana University campus do not need to submit an Indiana University transcript.
- Submit proof of bachelor's degree certification (official transcripts) from an accredited institution. Students who have not completed undergraduate course work at the time of application may be admitted based on the strength of previous work, but a final transcript attesting to the award of a bachelor's degree must be submitted before the student can enroll.
- Pay a nonrefundable application fee to Indiana University.
- When applying to degree programs Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) or Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (M.S.C.J.P.S.), required documentation includes:
- online application, all sections completed,
- official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended. Students who have taken course work on any Indiana University campus do not need to submit an Indiana University transcript.
- three Application Reference Forms completed by faculty and professionals familiar with applicant's activities and potential to succeed in graduate work.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) official scores preferred. GMAT and LSAT scores will be considered.
- resume
- complete personal statement and departmental question sections on application,
- supplemental questions in the application under departmental questions section
- When applying to certificate programs, the following documentation is required:
- online application (GRE scores and references are not required),
- official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students who have taken couse work on any Indiana University campus do not need to submit an Indiana University transcript.
- resume
- complete personal statement and departmental question sections on application, and
- supplemental questions in the application under departmental questions section.
- International students must apply to SPEA using the online application, complete the international section, and pay the nonrefundable international application fee (subject to change). SPEA will accept the same paper application that you have submitted to the Office of International Affairs (OIA), along with additional required SPEA documents, but the online application is preferable. You are required to provide official scores of one of the Engligh proficiency exams.
International application priority deadlines are February 1 for fall semester application and October 15 for spring semester application. Visit the SPEA Web site at www.spea.iupui.edu or the OIA Web site at www.international.iupui.edu for more information.
LSAT, GRE, and GMAT Requirements Applicants may submit LSAT or GMAT (Law School Admission Test or Graduate Management Admission Test) scores in lieu of GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores. Other degrees require the GRE. Information concerning the GRE is available from Graduate Record Examination, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541, (609) 771-7670, or (866) 473-4373, or visit the Web site: www.gre.org. Information concerning the LSAT is available from Law School Admission Services, P.O. Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940, (215) 968-1001 or visit them on the Web site at www.lsat.org.
Admission Status
Regular (Unconditional) Admission Status Applicants with this status have met all admission requirements for the specific degree program and may enroll in accordance with the entry date contained in the application for admission.
Deferred Admission Following notice of regular admission, applicants may defer enrollment for a maximum of one year. Transcripts of course work completed during the deferral period must be submitted, and the admissions committee may request additional letters of recommendation. Should the additional material prove unsatisfactory, the admission may be canceled. Applicants who fail to enroll within one year may need to reapply for admission.
Conditional Admission Applicants may be admitted on a provisional basis if GRE or LSAT scores or prior grade point averages are below admission criteria. Conditional status is removed upon fulfillment of conditions stipulated by the relevant degree program admissions committee.
Provisional Admission Applicants may be admitted on a provisional basis if GRE or LSAT scores or prior grade point averages are below admission criteria. Provisional status is removed upon fulfillment of conditions stipulated by the reelevant degree program admissions committee.
Admission with Deficiencies Applicants may be admitted with deficiencies on a case-by-case basis if they lack course work in certain foundation areas such as mathematics, economics, or statistics.
Nondegree Enrollment Applicants who have a bachelor's degree and who have not been admitted to the graduate program may enroll in SPEA courses as nondegree graduate students. Procedures may vary across campuses. Please note that nondegree students are not eligible for financial aid.
If nondegree students later wish to obtain SPEA graduate degrees, they must apply for admission to the specific degree program. Note that not more than 12 hours of graduate credit completed as a nondegree student may be credited toward a SPEA graduate degree. Not more than 9 hours of SPEA graduate credit earned as a nondegree student may be credited toward SPEA certificate programs.
