Graduate Admission Procedure
Application Information about graduate study, including literature and application materials, may be obtained from the Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Web site here.
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 O'Neill School.
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 O'Neill Graduate Admissions Office at IU Indianapolis 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. O'Neill accepts late applications for admission.
Admission Each application for admission is carefully evaluated by the admissions committee for the appropriate degree. Applicants to all O'Neill degree programs must do the following:
- Submit applications to the graduate program office. Application instructions can be found at https://oneill.iupui.edu; select Admissions and click on How to 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.
- One Application Reference Form completed by faculty and professionals familiar with applicant's activities and potential to succeed in graduate work.
- 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
- official transcripts from 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.
- 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 O'Neill using the online application, complete the international section, and pay the nonrefundable international application fee (subject to change). You are required to provide official scores of one of the English proficiency exams.
International application priority deadlines are March 1 for fall semester application and September15 for spring semester application. Visit the O'Neill web site here or the OIA Web site here for more information.
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 prior grade point averages are below admission criteria. Conditional status is removed upon fulfillment of conditions stipulated by the relevant degree program admissions committee.
Nondegree Enrollment Applicants who have a bachelor's degree and who have not been admitted to the graduate program may enroll in O'Neill 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 O'Neill 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 an O'Neill graduate degree. Not more than 9 hours of O'Neill graduate credit earned as a nondegree student may be credited toward O'Neill certificate programs.
