Taryn Faulkner
Coordinator, Admissions and Student Affairs
faulkner@umd.edu
(301) 405-6331

When is the application deadline?

What is the application fee?

The application fee is $60.00, paid to the University of Maryland. If you did not process your fee payment online via the On-line Application you may send it to the Enrollment Services Office using the Credit Card/International Check form .

What is the University of Maryland institution code?

The University of Maryland institution code (for standardized test recording) is 5814.

What is the four letter department code for the School of Public Policy?

MAPO : Master of Public Policy (MPP)

MAMG : Master of Public Management (Mid-career Policy Track) (MPM)

EXPM : Executive Master of Public Management (Mid-career Management Track) (MPM)

BMPO : Master of Public Policy and Business Administration (MPP/MBA)

MEPP : Master of Engineering and Public Policy (MEPP)

PPCN : Master of Public Policy and Master of Science in Conservation Biology (MPP/MS)

LMPO : Master of Public Policy and Juris Doctorate (MPP/JD)

POSI : Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

What financial aid is available?

The Maryland School of Public Policy offers merit-based financial assistantships to its top applicants. To accept financial aid, you must maintain full-time registration status (typically 12 credits/semester). Financial aid packages typically come in the following forms:

1. Full Graduate Assistantship carries a yearly stipend of $12,750 and 10 credits of tuition remission per semester. As a full-time graduate assistant, you are required to work 20 hours/week. As an added benefit, any credits earned above the 10 included in this package will be charged at the in-state rate. You are also eligible to participate in one of the University's health plans.
   
2. Half Fellowship + Half Graduate Assistantship carries a yearly stipend of $12,750 and 5 credits of tuition remission per semester. As such, you are required to work 10 hours/week. As an added benefit, any credits earned above the 5 included in this package will be charged at the in-state rate. You are also eligible to participate in one of the University's health plans.
   
3. Half Graduate Assistantship carries a yearly stipend of $6,350 and 5 credits of tuition remission per semester. As a half-time graduate assistant, you are required to work 10 hours/week. As an added benefit, any credits earned above the five included in this package will be charged at the in-state rate. You are also eligible to participate in one of the University's health plans.
   
4. Half Fellowship carries a yearly stipend of $6,350. There is no "work" requirement associated with this package. This package does not include health benefits or tuition remission .
   
5. Full Ph.D. Fellowship (for Ph.D. students only) carries a yearly stipend of $13,000 and 12 credits of tuition remission per semester. There is no "work" requirement associated with this package. This package does not include health benefits.
   

What are special instructions for International Applicants?

In addition to sending your application and supporting documents, you must submit the following documents to have your application reviewed:

Certificate of Finances
International applicants applying for admission to the Graduate School at the University of Maryland College Park must certify sufficient funds (exclusive of travel funds) to cover university fees, books, supplies, tuition and living expenses for themselves and for their dependents (if applicable). Funds can be demonstrated in the form of personal funds, parental or sponsor funds, government support, an assistantship at UMD or any other official sources of income. Please follow the guidelines and complete the Certification of Finances form (PDF)

Visa
On The Graduate School application, prospective students are requested to note the type of visa they currently hold or will need to study at the University. In addition, if you are a current holder of a visa or Permanent Resident card, you must submit copies of that visa or Permanent Resident Card

Transcripts
The Graduate Admissions Office must receive the complete application and official records/marksheets in the original language with literal English translations by the appropriate international deadline date. Translations should not be interpretive and actual names of all degrees, diplomas, and certificates must appear in the translation. Official copies must be submitted for review with your application. Only applicants who have completed the full sequence of preparatory studies and examinations equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree from an approved institution, and who have met the University of Maryland College Park admissions criteria, will be considered.

English Language Proficiency
International students must demonstrate a proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at numerous locations throughout the world.

A score of 575 or above on the paper based test (PBT) or 233 or above on the computer based test (CBT) (with a writing score of 4.0 or above) or a score of 84 and above on the internet based test (IBT)(with a writing score of 25 or above) may qualify an applicant for full admission. Also, a score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS (with no sectional score below 6.0) may qualify an applicant for full admission. Applicants who score between 475 and 574 on the PBT, 153-232 on the CBT, between 60-83 on the IBT may be considered for provisional admission, and will be required to take an English language proficiency examination upon arrival at the University of Maryland. Additionally, applicants scoring below 6.5 on the IELTS may be considered for provisional admission, and will be required to take an English language proficiency examination upon arrival at the University of Maryland.

More Information
Further information can be found at The Department of International Educational Services .If you have any questions regarding requirements for international students, please contact Insiya Jiwanji by email at ijiwanji@umd.edu or by telephone at (301) 314-4646.

How much does it cost to attend the School of Public Policy?

The per credit tuition costs are:

Please see our detailed tuition chart for semester costs and university mandatory fees.

When will I find out about my application decision?

The admission's committee will begin reviewing your application after the deadline and as soon as it becomes complete. You can expect a response within 6-12 weeks from that time. You will be notified in writing.

How can I check the status of my application?

Once you have received your student ID, you will be able to access your record by visiting https:// apra.umd.edu and logging in.  At this site you can determine which materials have arrived and which are still missing from your file.  Please allow a 1-2 week lag during our peak period (Dec.-Feb.) . You may also call the applicant information line at: 301 405-0376.

If you are experiencing problems when logging into https://apra.umd.edu, click on 'technical support'.  If the problem persists, please notify technical support at apra-support@umd.edu .