Application and Admission Requirements

Application forms are available from the Admissions Office of Dalhousie University. Applications should be submitted as early as January and not later than June 1 in the academic year in which studies are to commence.

Admission decisions are made on a continuing basis from January until the program quota is reached.

Note: MPA (Management) accepts applications for fall, winter and summer. Refer to MPA (Management) website for full admission criteria and deadlines.

General Admission Requirement for MPA

Enrolment in the School is limited. Normally, competitive applicants will have attained a good second class standing (B+ (3.3 GPA) average) in their last 60 credit hours of university work.

Admission is based on an assessment of:

• Official transcripts from each institution attended; 
• Two letters of reference;
• English Language Competency  - English is the language of study at Dalhousie; therefore all applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their capacity to pursue a graduate-level program in English before admission. The standard test is the TOEFL. The Faculty of Graduate Studies sets a minimum acceptable score of 92 for the internet-based test. The following ESL tests will also be accepted with the stated minimum scores: IELTS, 7; PTE Academic, overall score of 65 and nothing below 54. English as a second language students must also submit one of the following tests; the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) - a minimum score of 550 is required; the GRE or the Law Standards Admissions Test (LSAT).

In summary it is imperative that in addition to your application we receive:

• A statement of career interest (one page should be sufficient);
• A current résumé;
• Official Transcripts;
• At least two academic letters of reference;
• A TOEFL score and GRE/GMAT (if applicable)

Although not required except for international students, all students may submit a score from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in support of their application.

The Dalhousie School of Public Administration GMAT Number is 0957.

Applicants for the test should use an order form obtainable from the Registrar's Office of the nearest University, Dalhousie University, or you may write to the address below to obtain an information bulletin and registration form for the GMAT. If the order form is lost or omitted from the materials you receive, you should write directly to:
                Graduate Management Admission Test
                Educational Testing Service
                Box 966
                Princeton, NJ, 08540 USA

For further information, email dalmpa@dal.ca

General Admission Requirement for GDPA

Enrolment in the School is limited. Normally, competitive applicants will have attained a good second class standing (B+ (3.3 GPA) average) in their last 60 credit hours of university work.

Admission is based on an assessment of:

• Official transcripts from each institution attended;
• Two letters of reference;
• English Language Competency - English is the language of study at Dalhousie; therefore all applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their capacity to pursue a graduate-level program in English before admission. The standard test is the TOEFL. The Faculty of Graduate Studies sets a minimum acceptable score of 92 for the internet-based test. The following ESL tests will also be accepted with the stated minimum scores: IELTS, 7; PTE Academic, overall score of 65 and nothing below 54. English as a second language students must also submit one of the following tests; the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) - a minimum score of 550 is required; the GRE or the Law Standards Admissions Test (LSAT).

In summary it is imperative that in addition to your application we receive:

• A statement of career interest (one page should be sufficient);
• A current résumé;
• Official transcripts;
• At least two academic letters of reference;
• A TOEFL/IELTS score and GRE/GMAT (if applicable)

Although not required except for international students, all students may submit a score from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in support of their application.

The Dalhousie School of Public Administration GMAT Number is 0957.

Applicants for the test should use an order form obtainable from the Registrar's Office of the nearest University, Dalhousie University, or you may write to the address below to obtain an information bulletin and registration form for the GMAT. If the order form is lost or omitted from the materials you receive, you should write directly to:
                Graduate Management Admission Test
                Educational Testing Service
                Box 966
                Princeton, NJ, 08540 USA

For further information, email dalmpa@dal.ca

General Admission Requirement for JD/MPA

Candidates for the JD/MPA program must satisfy the entrance requirements of both the MPA and JD programs, and may obtain further information about the combined program by writing to the School of Public Administration and the Schulich School of Law. For admission, students must apply to both the School of Public Administration and the Schulich School of Law individually. Students applying for the MPA program may submit LSAT results in lieu of GMAT results.

General Admission Requirement for MPA/MLIS

Students should apply separately to both the School of Public Administration and the School of Information Management. Students must qualify for both programs independently. Students may be registered in the first year of one program and apply to the other program during their first year.

General Admission Requirement for MPAM and GDPA(M)

To be eligible for admission to the MPA (M) or GDPA(M) program, an applicant must have a Four-year Undergraduate degree from a recognized university (or a master’s degree) with a B average (3.0 GPA on a 4.3 scale) or equivalent (as determined by Dalhousie University) in a recognized degree program, plus at least five years’ relevant professional experience in public or non-for-profit service sectors (combined private sector professional experience may be considered on a case by case basis).

*Applicants who do not meet the standard academic criteria may be required to submit a Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio/or a GMAT (results 550 or higher)

A complete application includes:

•	Faculty of Graduate Studies Application Form: - Online version: https://dalonline.dal.ca - Paper version: www.dal.ca/admissions/apply/applying_as_a_graduate_student.html
•	$115 Application Fee
•	Letter of Intent
•	Resume/Job Description
•	Two reference letters ( You must provide two references, preferably from supervisors (former or current) OR one supervisor and one academic. The Faculty of Graduate Studies reserves the right to request additional references.  These must come directly from your referees in a sealed envelope. All references are considered confidential and as such cannot be returned to you. Your referees may use the forms provided below or write a letter of recommendation.  Their original ink signature must be included.)
•	Official Transcripts - Original and official transcripts are required from any/all post-secondary institutions attended. All transcripts (including English translations) must bear the official stamp/seal of the issuing institution and must be forwarded directly to Dalhousie University. Transcripts that state “issued to student” are not acceptable.
•	TOEFL results, where applicable

It is the policy of Dalhousie University to confirm the authenticity of transcripts and letters of reference of all recommended applicants.

All admitted applicants must confirm acceptance in writing and provide a non-refundable deposit to the Student Accounts Office. This deposit will be applied toward tuition, but will be forfeited if the student does not register in the academic year for which he or she was admitted. Please note that this deposit is separate from any application or pre-registration fees.

Part-time Study

The programs offered through the School are available to students on a part-time basis. A part-time student may enrol in up to 15 credit hours during the 12 month period, September to August.

In order to ensure that graduate students benefit from a reasonable concentration of their studies, part-time programs leading to the GDPA must be completed within four years, and part-time programs leading to the MPA must be completed within six years.