PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION INSTITUTE FAQs

When can I apply?
You can apply to the MPA program right up to the beginning of the semester; however, if you know you want to apply, go ahead and apply sooner.

How long will it take me to complete my degree?
A student can begin the program in the fall or spring. Students have a five-year window for completing the MPA. This means that part-time students need to take two courses per semester (six hours). Full-time students can complete the program in as little as a year and a half.

What are the admission requirements?
The admissions requirements are an undergraduate degree from an accredited college with an appropriate grade point average, a GRE score, and three letters of recommendation. The department also considers your work experience and other experiences that suggest your ability to complete the MPA program successfully.

The department does not focus on any one variable when making admissions decisions; rather, it examines your entire set of credentials. Generally, the average incoming student has an undergraduate gpa of 3.0 and a GRE score of 975.

What do I need to score on the GRE?
The national average score for MPA programs is about 960. The average in the Public Administration Institute is 975.

How many students does the Public Administration Institute admit?
The general incoming classes range in size from 30 to 40 students.

Does the Public Administration Institute offer financial assistance?
The MPA program at LSU offers graduate assistantships with payment related to the number of hours specified by the contract. Graduate assistants also enjoy other benefits. See the graduate school’s Web page for more information. All assistantships are based on merit.

How do I apply for financial assistance?
There is no supplemental application for a graduate assistant position. If you would like to be considered for a graduate assistantship, please make sure that the department knows. The department will use your general application for a graduate assistant program.

Is the program accredited?
Louisiana State University is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges. The American Assembly of Colleges of Business accredits the E. J. Ourso College of Business, in which the PAI is located. Furthermore, the Public Administration Institute is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.