How to apply to the Executive Master of Public Administration degree
The Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA) degree is a low-residency program designed to enhance your professional impact in less than two years—without interrupting your career. Please thoroughly review the below information regarding the admissions process, required materials, and important application deadlines.
Who we are looking for
The Fels Executive MPA program embraces applicants from a wide range of professional, academic, and personal backgrounds. Executive MPA applicants must have at least five years (see more details below) of professional work experience—from the public sector and beyond. What members of our diverse student body have in common is a commitment to building community and camaraderie within the program, an interest in improving their leadership and analytical skills, and a passion for making a positive impact in the public and nonprofit sectors. The program is best suited to nonprofit and public sector professionals who wish to put their Ivy League education to work—what you learn in class can be put immediately into practice in your workplace or community.
"Executive MPA candidates are experienced professionals aiming to enhance their impact in the public sector. They blend their experiences in the classroom and careers by applying their newly learned skills directly to their work and contribute to a dynamic exchange of real-life experiences with their peers."
Mindy Zacharjasz, Director of the Master of Public Administration
Application deadline
The application deadline for the Executive MPA program for fall 2025 was April 1, 2025. If you are interested in being considered for the fall 2025 cohort but did not submit your application by the deadline, please contact felsinstitute@sas.upenn.edu to discuss your interest in joining the cohort and request an extension for application submission. We will consider extensions of our application deadline on a case-by-case basis.
| Term of Entry | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Regular deadline: April 1, 2025 |
Note that Fels does not offer an admission deferral option; please be sure to apply to the term for which you plan to begin your studies.
Application requirements
Applications to the Executive MPA program must include the following materials.
The admissions team will not review an application until all necessary materials are received; no exceptions will be made. Please note that all application materials become the property of the University of Pennsylvania and will not be returned. Remember to retain a personal copy of your application.
Executive MPA applicants are expected to have at least five years of professional work experience—from the public sector or other industries. We will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Please contact felsinstitute@sas.upenn.edu to discuss your professional experience and request an exception.
Complete and submit the online application. There is a $75 non-refundable application fee. You may submit your application fee online by credit/debit card.
Submit by February 1 to have the $75 application fee waived.
Any applicant who is on active duty or a veteran of the US Military Service is eligible for an application fee waiver. The application fee will be automatically waived in the application for students meeting the criteria.
Any applicant to a Fels Institute of Government MPA program who is a current member or alumna/us of one of our admissions partner organizations is eligible for an application fee waiver. Please email lps@sas.upenn.edu (attention: Mary Bustamante) to request a fee waiver code, which must be used on the payment screen before submitting the application.
The personal statement should be approximately 500 words and should address your professional goals and how a Fels education can help you attain them.
Your second essay should be approximately 500 words and should discuss a significant challenge you faced (personally or professionally) or something important that did not go to plan. How did you respond to the challenge and what did you learn from the experience?
Please compile your responses into a single document (keeping them as separate essays) and upload them to the online application system.
Submit your current resume, which should highlight your professional, academic, and service experiences and interests. We encourage applications to include all positions held (including recent internships), degree and non-degree coursework completed (including certificates and MOOCs), as well as volunteer or community activities.
Applicants may upload unofficial copies of domestic transcripts to the online application system. If admitted to the Executive MPA program, applicants will be required to submit official copies of transcripts and should do so upon notification of admission.
Letters should come from individuals in a position to evaluate your professional and/or academic work. If possible, please include at least one letter from a classroom instructor.
Submitting standardized scores is optional for the fall 2024 application cycle. The admissions committee recommends applicants submit GRE or LSAT scores if possible, and the committee may request additional information if it is needed to fully evaluate an application.
GRE and TOEFL scores must be sent to code 2986, U Pennsylvania Coll Lib Prof Stdy, which is the office that processes applications for Fels.
LSAT scores are accepted in lieu of GRE scores. Please note that LSAC will not report official scores to non-law/non-business schools. Applicants submitting LSAT scores should upload a copy of their score report to the online application.
Please note, the College of Liberal and Professional Studies is accepting at-home GRE and TOEFL test scores. Visit the specific standardized testing websites for exam options in your home country.
The admissions committee may invite applicants to interview on a case-by-case basis.
The Executive MPA program is a part-time program, and therefore students enrolled in this program are ineligible to receive an F-1 student visa. If you are an international student interested in pursuing an MPA from the Fels Institute of Government, consider applying to our MPA program.
