MPA graduates will have diverse skills for employment in public, private, and nonprofit sectors and benefit from the Hobby School's extensive network of practitioners.

MPA alumni hold key positions in all levels of government and in a variety of public and non-profit sector organizations as senior staff analysts, policy liaisons, department leaders, city managers and other impactful roles. Employers include the City of Houston, City of Galveston, the University of Houston, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other entities that tackle issues critical to building resilient communities and equitable institutions, from transportation policy and capitol planning to public safety and alumni and donor relations.

The average starting salary of a MPA graduate will vary significantly by sector, geography and work experience. For example, entry-level policy analysts average over $50,000, and executive positions can earn over $100,000.

For more career-related information, current Hobby School students and alumni can visit the UH University Career Services. These services include resume support, job search assistance, career assessments, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and much more.

Please visit the Graduate Costs & Financial Aid page for a useful calculator to estimate tuition and fees. Full-time students usually register for at least nine credit hours (three courses) per semester. Part-time students register for six or three credit hours (one or two courses) per semester.

The Spring 2025 priority deadline for domestic and international applicants is September 1, 2024. The Spring 2025 application deadline for international applicants is October 1, 2024, and for domestic applicants is December 1, 2024.

The Fall 2025 priority deadline for domestic and international applicants is March 1, 2025. The Fall 2025 application deadline for international applicants is May 1, 2025, and for domestic applicants is August 1, 2025.

The Hobby School Admissions Committee will not review any application until the entire application has been completed and submitted.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. The Hobby School Admissions Committee's goal is for the applicant to receive an admissions decision within two weeks of submitting a completed application.

The application fee for the MPA and MPP programs is $50 for domestic student applicants and $80 for international student applicants. The application fee for the graduate certificate programs is $25. Domestic applicants can receive an application fee waiver if they attend one of the Hobby School's virtual information sessions. International applicants aren't currently able to receive an application fee waiver for the Hobby School's graduate programs.

The graduate programs offer admissions for the fall and spring semesters.

Submit your official transcripts via one of these options. Electronic transcripts is the preferred method for Texas academic institutions.

Submitting official transcripts ASAP in the application process is strongly recommended. Unofficial transcripts refer to anything not received directly from an academic institution. Registration is not allowed until official transcripts have been received and verified.

International transcripts and degree certificates must be sent to the UH Graduate School in envelopes sealed and stamped by the issuing university to be considered official. Electronic academic documents sent from international applicants will not be accepted.

For more information on submitting transcripts for international applicants, visit the UH Graduate School's Transcript Information page.

Do not mail or drop off your transcripts to the Hobby School.

Regular Mail Address	Express Mail Address	Electronic or Speede Transcript
University of Houston Graduate Admissions P.O. Box 3947 Houston, TX 77253-3947	University of Houston Graduate Admissions 5000 Gulf Freeway UH Technology Bridge Building No. 3, Rm. 170 Houston, TX 77204-2105	The fastest way to send your college transcripts is electronically. We strongly recommend that you inquire at your previous institution about this option. Within the State of Texas, transcripts may be sent from your previous institution as a "Speede" transcript. For non-Texas institutions, electronic transcripts can be delivered via secured email to gradschool@uh.edu from the academic institution.

The application for the MPP and MPA requires two letters of recommendation. The graduate certificate application does not. Letters of recommendation are gathered electronically. Applicants will be asked to provide the e-mail addresses of two references. Recommenders will be notified via e-mail and provided instructions to upload their letter of recommendation in support of the applicant. The Hobby School encourages applicants to select one recommender that is a professional reference and the other recommender as an academic reference.

The statement of purpose (or personal/goal statement) explains why the applicant wants to pursue a graduate program and why the applicant would be a good candidate for the program. This document should be between 1-2 pages.

Yes, we offer dual degree/accelerated pathway programs.

Each dual degree program awards two degrees in less time than if a student were to pursue the degrees separately. Applicants must be accepted to both programs to pursue a concurrent degree. Admission to one of the degrees does not guarantee admission to the other program. The UH Law Center and the Hobby School jointly offer the JD/MPA Program, which enables students to earn a JD and MPA degree simultaneously.

For more information on these programs, visit Dual Degree Programs page.

Full-time students can complete the MPA or MPP program in two years or four to five semesters. Part-time enrollment can take three or more years. Dual degree programs will typically take an additional year to earn both degrees. The graduate certificates are comprised of four courses and are designed to be completed in two semesters.

No, and the Hobby School Admissions Committee considers not just an applicant's GPA, but also their previous academic institutions, major/minor, and time to complete their program. While there is no minimum GPA requirement for these programs, applicants will have a higher probability of admission with a higher GPA.

However, applicants that have a GPA below 3.0 can only be admitted on a conditional basis, which is a probationary status to closely monitor the student's progress.

No, there aren't any required prerequisite courses needed for admission into the MPA, MPP or graduate certificate programs. However, students would significantly benefit from previous economics, mathematics, philosophy and writing courses. The Hobby School offers non-mandatory review sessions before the fall semesters that cover important concepts to help students be better prepared

Beginning Spring 2023, the GRE is waived for all applicants with a 3.3 or higher undergraduate GPA or if an applicant has completed a master's or doctoral degree.

Although there are no minimum GRE scores, the typical well-qualified student scores at least 152 on the verbal reasoning (approximately 52nd percentile), 150 on the quantitative reasoning (approximately 33rd percentile), and 4.0 on the analytical writing (approximately 54th percentile) sections. GRE scores will only be counted if the exam was completed within the previous five years of the application.

GRE scores should be sent directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS) to UH (GRE Code: R6870). Your application will not be processed without GRE scores if they are required. GRE scores older than five years will not be accepted.

International applicants will also have to satisfy English language proficiency requirements, which might include taking an approved test. For more specific information about the English language proficiency requirements, visit the English Language Proficiency Requirement page.

Yes, although applicants aren't required to submit GRE test scores if they qualify for a GRE waiver, they can still be submitted. GRE scores that are considered "good" may help an application or increase scholarship funding. However, GRE scores that are considered "bad" may do the opposite. Therefore, the applicant should take this into consideration prior to submitting GRE test scores if they aren't required.

All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, must demonstrate proficiency in English to obtain admission to the graduate programs.

The most common way is for an applicant to earn a bachelor's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or at an institution at which English is the medium of instruction in the following countries: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada (except the Province of Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Ghana, Gilbraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Micronesia (Federated States of Micronesia), Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Helena, South Africa, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales), United States, Virgin Islands, and Zimbabwe).

The other methods are achieving minimum scores on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)/IELTS (International English Language Testing Service)/Duolingo English Test, or Level 6 completion of UH's Language and Culture Center.

For more specific information about the English language proficiency requirements, visit the English Language Proficiency Requirement page.

Each semester, eligible students currently receive up to a $3,000 Hobby School Excellence Scholarship. The Hobby School Excellence Scholarship is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. In addition, other scholarships, grants, and loans are available via the UH Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

Graduate certificate students aren't eligible for Hobby School scholarships or federal financial aid.

For more information, please visit the Financial Aid page.

No, the MPA, MPP and graduate certificate classes cannot currently be completed entirely online. While a few classes are typically offered online throughout the program, most of the Hobby School's classes are currently face-to-face or hybrid.

To accommodate working students, most required classes are offered in the evenings, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. However, some required classes have sections that are offered online. Specialization elective classes can be held on different days and times.

Visit the Courses & Enrollment page for detailed instructions on how to register, steps to enroll, and more. The Enrollment Schedule page and individual student accounts show when students are eligible to register for a specific semester.

Until the Official Reporting Day (ORD) via the Academic Calendar, classes can be dropped online, and the student will receive no grade.

After ORD, students must drop a class by following these steps, and the student will receive a W:

1) Download the Student-Initiated Drop Form.

2) Complete the form in its entirety and sign it. Obtain course instructor's signature.

3) Submit the completed form to the Office of the University Registrar service desk in the Welcome Center by close of business on the Drop Due Date. Students should continue to attend the class until the drop is visible in your student account.

Yes, if the job is related to public policy/public administration and approved by the MPA Director, it can be used for the internship requirement. However, the internship course and related assignments would still need to be completed. The Hobby School will assist students in finding possible internships if they aren't currently working. Recent internship placements include the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement, City of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, City of Conroe’s Office of Finance & Administration, City of Houston’s Mayor’s Office, League City’s Public Library, Fort Bend County Public Health and Harris County Office of Intergovernmental and Global Affairs.

Possibly. With approval from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, students can transfer up to nine graduate credit hours from another university if they have not already completed that graduate program. Students will not receive transfer credit from a completed program. In addition, students will be required to submit syllabi and possibly coursework for the Hobby School to evaluate the potential for transfer credit.

Yes, if you completed the Hobby School's CPM Program, your CPM certification and coursework can potentially count for 3-6 credit hours for a master’s degree by following these steps:

1) Apply and gain acceptance as a Hobby School graduate student in the Master of Public Administration or Master of Public Policy program. Please contact Scott Mason (smason@uh.edu; 713-743-5572) for details regarding the graduate admission process.

2) Provide a written request to the graduate program advisor, along with official documentation showing the completion of the CPM program.

3) The Hobby School will review the request and documentation, and upon approval, will submit a petition to the UH Graduate School for a course waiver(s) for 3-6 credit hours in substitution of specialization/elective courses.

Visit the UH Graduate Catalog's Academic Calendar.

Log into your student account via AccessUH, click on the "Navigate" icon, and follow the steps to request a face-to-face, phone, Teams, or Zoom meeting.

For more information and troubleshooting, please review the UH Quick Start Guide for Advising Appointments.

The minimum GPA required to complete a graduate program is 3.0. Students with a GPA below 3.0 will not be approved for graduation and will be required to take additional courses to sufficiently raise the GPA before reapplying to graduate.

For more information, visit the Hobby School Commencement page.

No, graduating with honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude) is only for undergraduate programs. However, students are invited to join Pi Alpha Alpha, the global honor society for public affairs and administration. The minimum requirements for graduate students to be inducted are to achieve and maintain a 3.7 or above GPA, and the completion of more than 50% of coursework in a public policy/public administration degree.

Please contact Scott Mason (smason@uh.edu; 713-743-5572).

Bates Building/Bates Law (BL) and Teaching Unit 2 (TU2) are in the old UH Law Center complex near the new John M. O'Quinn Law Building and the Elgin Street Parking Garage. Classrooms are in both the Bates Building and Teaching Unit 2.

In Bates Building, faculty offices are on the First and Second Floors; the Office of the Dean is Room 104; Business Operations is Room 101; Student Study Room is Room 105; Student Services is Room 5; and the Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant Room is Room 205.

In Teaching Unit 2, Communications and Marketing is Room 102.

The Hobby School recommends parking in either the Elgin Street Garage or Zone C.

For more information, please visit the Hobby School's Visitor Information page.