Admissions

The department seeks a diverse pool of applicants who have been trained in a wide range of disciplines and preferably have had previous work experience in policy making or implementation. No specific background or undergraduate major is required. There are no citizenship requirements to be considered for admission. Admission is selective. Decisions will be based on a multifaceted evaluation of the applicant’s overall academic record, applicable test scores, and potential success in the public policy field, as evidenced by work experience and community, extracurricular, or other relevant experience. An applicant’s written statement of purpose, goals, and letters of recommendation also weigh heavily in the decision-making process.

Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• International applicants may be required to submit diplomas and certificate of completion as proof of eligibility to graduate standing in the University of California
• Obtain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) in all upper-division courses
• Recommended but not required for domestic applicants: submit results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (strongly recommended for applicants without a quantitative background)
• Required for international applicants: submit results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)