Graduate application requirements
There are both general and specific application requirements for the graduate programs; be sure to include all required elements by the deadline to ensure that your application can be considered.Community Development
Dispute Resolution
MPA On Campus
MPA Online
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MPA Online program must be currently employed with and have a minimum of three years of full-time public sector or non-profit work experience. Additionally, you must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum B+ average (77-79%) in the last two years (30 units) leading to the undergraduate degree. Applicants to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Online program with four or more years of relevant professional experience whose grade point average is below B+ may be considered, please see the UVic calendar for more details.
Admission to the MPA program is very competitive. Please note that because of the number of applications received, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee your admission to the program.
Application Deadlines (September entry)
- December 15 for International Applicants
- January 31 for Domestic Applicants
Submitting an Application
Applicants to the MPA program must apply electronically. Instructions for submitting documents are provided via the Graduate Admissions and Records page.
For the MPA program, applicants must:
- Complete an online application.
- Assessment reports are required from a minimum of two academic referees. If you have graduated within the last five years two academic references are required. If it has been more than five years since you last attended a post-secondary institution, we recommend that you include the email addresses from three current or former employers or professional references who are familiar with your work in place of academic referees. The names and email addresses of your chosen assessors are required when you submit your application. Please note that assessment reports are an academic evaluation and are to be submitted by academic references only and to strengthen your application they can also submit a letter along with the assessment. Professional references only submit a letter of reference.
- Submit a professional résumé.
- Submit a 750-1000 word statement of intent outlining why you are seeking an MPA and how the degree relates to your career plans, personal values, and goals. Be sure to clearly indicate that you are applying for admission to the MPA Online program.
- Submit other evidence of suitability for admission that you feel is relevant (e.g., academic records from non-degree courses).
If you do not have a Canadian undergraduate degree, you are required to write and submit official results for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
International Applicants
The office of Graduate Admissions and Records provides an application guide for International Students.
Applicants who do not possess a Canadian undergraduate degree will be required to write and submit official results for the GMAT. No minimum GMAT score is set, but a score of over 550 is preferred. Selection of students to the graduate programs is competitive based upon overall undergraduate performance, statement of intent, reference letters, cumulative GPA and GMAT results. International students whose first language is not English are required to provide valid test results for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum TOEFL score for the MPA programs is 610 for the paper-based test or 102 for the internet-based test; the minimum overall score is Band 7.0, with no score of less than 6.5 on each academic component.
Accepting an Offer of Admission
Upon receiving a written offer of admission from the School of Public Administration, applicants accepted to the MPA Online program are required to pay a non-refundable confirmation deposit of CAD $400; instructions for submitting this deposit, including timelines, are contained in the offer letter.
For further information or questions please contact the Graduate Administrative Assistant at paservice@uvic.ca or 250-721-6448.