Master of Science in Public Policy and Management Application Process

Why should I apply by this deadline?

This deadline is best for applicants who:

• want the earliest decision (end of January)
• are international students who will require an I-20/student visa (most international students) and want the option to begin the immigration process as early as possible.

When will I receive my admission decision? 

Students who submit their application and supporting materials by December 1 will receive their admission decision by the end of January.

Other than the earlier notification of your admission decision, there is no “advantage” to applying by December 1. This deadline is available for students who want or need to receive their admission decision as early as possible.

Why should I apply by this deadline?

This deadline is best for applicants who:

• have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree and want to include their 7th semester grades on their transcript for the admissions committee’s consideration.
• do not want or need an earlier decision from us.
• are international students who will require an I-20/student visa (most international students) and want to begin the immigration process by mid to late March.

When will I receive my admission decision? 

Students who submit their application and supporting materials by January 10 will receive their admission decision by the middle of March.

Why should I apply by this deadline?

This deadline is best for applicants who:

• want to meet the latest possible deadline for consideration for all merit-based scholarships and our competitive scholarship and fellowship awards (applications submitted later than the Round #3 deadline are not eligible for full consideration for competitive awards).
• will require an I-20/student visa (most international students) and who want the option to begin the immigration process by early April.

When will I receive my admission decision? 

Students who submit their application and supporting materials by February 1 will receive their admission decision by the end of March.

We will continue to accept applications after the published deadlines if space remains in the incoming class. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you are interested in submitting an application after February 1.

Many competitive scholarships and fellowships are awarded on a limited basis, and applications received after February 1 may not be included in the selection process. Prospective students who do not apply by the published deadlines will still be considered for merit-based scholarship support from their program.

What do I need to submit to be considered for admission after the final deadline?

Prospective students applying after the deadline should submit their application form and the required supporting materials as soon as possible. The required supporting materials are the essay, resume, two (2) recommendations, official transcript/evaluation report for your bachelor's degree, and official test scores (if applicable). Review the application checklist below for more details.

When will I receive my admission decision?

Students applying after the Round 3 deadline will receive their admission decision approximately four (4) weeks after their application and required supporting materials have been received and processed.

On June 15, 2027, the application system will close for admission to the full-time master’s programs’ incoming cohort for August 2027.

You must submit a completed application form via our online application system to be considered for admission to Heinz College. Heinz College does not charge an application fee.

Apply Now Online

All applicants who have completed (or will complete) their Bachelor’s degree in the United States must have an official transcript of their undergraduate studies submitted directly to Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College by their undergraduate university.

All applicants who have completed (or will complete) their Bachelor’s degree outside the United States must have a course-by-course transcript evaluation report submitted directly to Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College via an approved transcript evaluation service.

All applicants must earn a Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution (or its equivalent) prior to the date they would begin their studies at Heinz College. If you have not completed your Bachelor's degree by the time you submit your application for admission to Heinz College, you may be admitted on the condition that you submit your final, official transcript, including your date of graduation, prior to the start of your first semester at Heinz College.

We are committed to reducing barriers and increasing access for all applicants. We assess applicants holistically and take into consideration many factors, including quantitative background and experience.

Applicants are REQUIRED to submit GRE/GMAT scores or applicants can qualify for a waiver of the GRE/GMAT requirement by submitting one (1) or more of the following with their online application:

1. Evidence of Prior Quantitative Coursework: Applicants can demonstrate their preparedness by having earned a “B” or higher in a college-level, credit-bearing, math class (listed on the undergraduate or other official transcript):
   • Public Policy and Management tracks excluding Data Analytics: College Algebra class (or higher-level math such as precalculus or calculus).
   • Public Policy and Management: Data Analytics track: Pre-calculus class (or higher-level math such as calculus).
   • Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Precalculus or Calculus will satisfy this requirement for all MSPPM pathways if it appears on the undergraduate transcript as college credit.
2. Undergraduate transcript from Carnegie Mellon University: Applicants who have or will complete their undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University are eligible for a waiver of the GRE/GMAT requirement.

The admissions committee reserves the right to require GRE/GMAT scores be submitted (prior to completing their review of the application) if the applicant’s work experience or coursework does not meet the minimum standard for enrollment.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions if they want their work experience to be reviewed/ considered for the waiver ahead of submitting their application.

Test Score Submission Information

If your native language (mother tongue) is not English, you are required to submit an official score report from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. The only exceptions are for:

• Students who have worked or studied for five or more years in Australia, Botswana, Canada, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and/or Zambia.
• Students who studied for four years of their undergraduate education in the United States and earned their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US school (students are encouraged to provide unofficial copies of the English Language Proficiency exam they used when they applied to their undergraduate institution as part of their application to Heinz College).

Students who are required to submit test scores must have the scores reported directly to Heinz College by the testing service. When required, we strongly recommend that you take the exam at least one month prior to the application deadline.

Submit Exam Results

You are required to have two (2) recommendation forms submitted on your behalf. Recommendations should be provided by employers, supervisors, professors, or others who are able to comment on your professional and educational goals and potential. At least one (1) of your recommenders should know you in a professional setting (full-time employment, internship, part-time employment, research, non-academic extracurricular activity, etc.). You may opt to have up to three (3) recommendations submitted in support of your application.

Please note: recommendations from friends, family members or acquaintances, and other sources not able to evaluate applicants on an academic or professional basis, will not be accepted.

Letters of recommendation must be written in or translated into English. Your recommendations must be submitted electronically through the online application system by your recommenders. We do not accept recommendations submitted on paper.

How to Submit Your Recommendations

You are required to upload your résumé to the application system. Please submit a one- or two-page summary of your educational background, skills, accomplishments, employment experiences, and volunteer experiences. The résumé MUST be current and include all part-time and full-time work experience, the dates of when the employment began and ended, and a brief description of your responsibilities under the title of the position. 

Please consider using the "Optional Essay" to address the reason for any "gap" in your résumé, if applicable.

Your résumé should contain only true information and your own, original content. If you include a quote or text written by any other person or published in any printed or online format, you must surround the copied text in quotation marks (") and indicate the original source of the text. Information reported on your résumé is subject to verification. The Heinz College Office of Admissions utilizes several methods to identify plagiarized and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false or plagiarized material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.

You are required to upload the required essay to the application system.

Your essay should address the following three questions. We recommend that your total essay length should be 700 words minimum (up to 1,100 words suggested maximum). Please give each section of your essay the appropriate heading for each question.

1. Career Goals: What are your career goals after completing graduate school? (Recommended response length: 150-300 words)
2. Prior Experience: How have your prior experiences (professional, academic, and/or personal) prepared you for graduate study and informed your career goals? (Recommended response length: 400-500 words)
3. Why Heinz College: How will attending this degree program at Heinz College help you achieve your career goals? (Recommended response length: 150-300 words)

Your essay should contain only true information and your own, original content. You should not use artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, to write any portion of your essay. If you include a quote or text written by any other person or published in any printed or online format, you must surround the copied text in quotation marks (") and indicate the original source of the text. Information reported on your résumé is subject to verification. The Heinz College Office of Admissions utilizes several methods to identify plagiarized, AI-generated, and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false, plagiarized or AI-generated material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.

Applicants to the Public Policy and Management: Washington, D.C., program will also be required to submit an additional essay: Download/View MSPPM-DC Track Essay Question.

You may choose to submit an essay in which you comment on any item(s) in your application that you consider worthy of further explanation. We are mostly interested in having you address any gaps in your professional experience, or anything you would consider a weakness that could have an impact on your admission status. Please limit optional essays to no more than 250 words.

Your essay should contain only true information and your own, original content. You should not use artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, to write any portion of your essay. If you include a quote or text written by any other person or published in any printed or online format, you must surround the copied text in quotation marks (") and indicate the original source of the text. Information reported on your résumé is subject to verification. The Heinz College Office of Admissions utilizes several methods to identify plagiarized, AI-generated, and falsified content in uploaded documents. Submission of false, plagiarized or AI-generated material as part of the application for admission may result in automatic denial of admission to any degree program.

The completion of a short video interview is extremely important for applicants to the Public Policy and Management program, especially individuals unable to visit campus prior to the application deadline or those who are non-native English speakers. The video interview is optional, but strongly recommended.

You will receive an email invitation to complete the video interview only after you submit your online application and after we receive your official undergraduate transcript (or course-by-course evaluation report).

How to Submit a Video Interview

Heinz College is committed to ensuring the integrity of our admissions process and the reputation of our educational programs. We also want to protect and enhance the value of the degrees that we confer. As an enrolling student, you will be required to successfully complete a verification process of your admission application materials. The verification process will be completed by an outside, independent contractor hired by Heinz College and Carnegie Mellon University.

The purpose of this background check is to protect all stakeholders of the program (students, faculty, staff, and alumni) from those who would falsify their backgrounds to gain an unfair advantage in the admissions process. We believe that this verification will support our efforts to ensure integrity throughout the program. Upon admission, you will receive more details about this process from the Office of Admissions.

1. College / university-level College Algebra (or higher math)
2. College / university-level Introductory Statistics

If you don’t meet both criteria at the time of application, you may be offered a conditional admission and be required to take the class(es) over the summer immediately preceding the start of your first semester at Heinz.

Find more information regarding the Public Policy and Management (excluding Data Analytics) Required Quantitative Courses.

1. College / university-level Pre-calculus (or higher math)
2. College / university-level Introductory Statistics
3. College / university-level Introductory Python Programming (Java and C++ are also acceptable)

If you don’t meet all three criteria at the time of application, you may be offered conditional admission and be required to take the class(es) over the summer immediately preceding the start of your first semester at Heinz. For Python, a remote summer course will be provided by our school for enrolling students (no tuition will be charged).

Find more information regarding the MSPPM-Data Analytics Required Quantitative Courses.

Find more information regarding the MSPPM-Data Analytics Required Technical Course.

Heinz College and Ajou University offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified Ajou University undergraduate students. The program, structured as three years at Ajou University followed by four semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.

Eligibility

The program is designed for Ajou University students who have completed their third year.

Admissions Requirements

Students can apply online for free in the fall (August to December) of their third year for admission at the start of their fourth year. As an Accelerated Master's applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all MSPPM applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.

Tuition and Fees

Students will pay tuition and fees to Ajou University from their first through third years. They will pay tuition and fees to Carnegie Mellon for their graduate program for four semesters beyond the completion of their third year.

Conferral of Degrees

Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. Ajou University will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to Ajou University transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.

Scholarships

Ajou University students will be eligible for scholarship support (if applicable) from Ajou University for their first through third years. They will be eligible for scholarship support from the Heinz College for the length of their graduate program, and can apply to any and all Heinz College scholarship funds for which they are eligible (based on program and the individual scholarship fund’s specific requirements).

Number of Students

Each year, Heinz College will admit a maximum of five qualified Ajou University students to the MSPPM program.

Prerequisites

The MSPPM program does not have formal prerequisites for admission. However, because the curriculum is highly quantitative, students should take a college-level course in 1. statistics and 2. advanced algebra/pre-calculus. Students who have not taken these courses may be required to attend a four-week summer program online through Heinz College prior to the start of their master's program. There is no tuition for the summer program, but we encourage students to take these courses at Ajou University.

Heinz College and Allegheny College offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified Allegheny College undergraduate students. The program, structured as three years at Allegheny College followed by four semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.

Eligibility

The program is designed for Allegheny College students who have completed their junior year.

Admissions Requirements

Students can apply online for free in the fall (August to December) of their third year for admission at the start of their fourth year. As an Accelerated Master's applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all MSPPM applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.

Tuition and Fees

Students will pay tuition and fees to Allegheny College from their freshman through junior years. They will pay tuition and fees to Carnegie Mellon for their graduate program for four semesters beyond the completion of their junior year. Allegheny College students also will be responsible for paying a maintenance fee to Allegheny College while enrolled at Carnegie Mellon in their senior year.

Conferral of Degrees

Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. Allegheny College will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to Allegheny College transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.

Scholarships

Allegheny College students will be eligible for scholarship support (if applicable) from Allegheny College for their freshman through junior years. They will be eligible for scholarship support from the Heinz College for the length of their graduate program, and can apply to any and all Heinz College scholarship funds for which they are eligible (based on program and the individual scholarship fund’s specific requirements).

Number of Students

Each year, Heinz College will admit a maximum of 10 qualified Allegheny College students to the MSPPM program.

Prerequisites

The MSPPM program does not have formal prerequisites for admission. However, because the curriculum is highly quantitative, students should take a college-level course in 1. statistics and 2. advanced algebra/pre-calculus. Students who have not taken these courses may be required to attend a four-week summer program online through Heinz College prior to the start of their master's program. There is no tuition for the summer program, but we encourage students to take these courses at Allegheny College.

Heinz College and Bethany College offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified Bethany College undergraduate students. The program, structured as three years at Bethany College followed by four semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.

Eligibility

The program is designed for Bethany College students who have completed their junior year.

Admissions Requirements

Students can apply online for free in the fall (August to December) of their third year for admission at the start of their fourth year. As an Accelerated Master's applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all MSPPM applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.

Tuition and Fees

Students will pay tuition and fees to Bethany College from their freshman through junior years. They will pay tuition and fees to Carnegie Mellon for their graduate program for four semesters beyond the completion of their junior year. Bethany College students also will be responsible for paying a maintenance fee to Bethany College while enrolled at Carnegie Mellon in their senior year.

Conferral of Degrees

Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. Bethany College will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to Bethany College transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.

Scholarships

Bethany College students will be eligible for scholarship support (if applicable) from Bethany College for their freshman through junior years. They will be eligible for scholarship support from the Heinz College for the length of their graduate program, and can apply to any and all Heinz College scholarship funds for which they are eligible (based on program and the individual scholarship fund’s specific requirements).

Number of Students

Each year, Heinz College will admit a maximum of 10 qualified Bethany College students to the MSPPM program.

Prerequisites

The MSPPM program does not have formal prerequisites for admission. However, because the curriculum is highly quantitative, students should take a college-level course in 1. statistics and 2. advanced algebra/pre-calculus. Students who have not taken these courses may be required to attend a four-week summer program online through Heinz College prior to the start of their master's program. There is no tuition for the summer program, but we encourage students to take these courses at Bethany College.

Learn more about the Public Policy and Management Accelerated Master's Program for Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate students.

Learn more about the Public Policy and Management: Data Analytics track Accelerated Master's Program for Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate students.

Learn more about the Public Policy and Management-Washington, DC track Accelerated Master's Program for Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate students.

Find detailed information on the Public Policy and Management Accelerated Master's Program for Chatham University undergraduate students.

Heinz College and Messiah College offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified Messiah College undergraduate students. The program, structured as three years at Messiah College followed by four semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.

Eligibility

The program is designed for Messiah College students who have completed their junior year.

Admissions Requirements

Students can apply online for free in the fall (August to December) of their third year for admission at the start of their fourth year. As an Accelerated Master's applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all MSPPM applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.

Tuition and Fees

Students will pay tuition and fees to Messiah College from their freshman through junior years. They will pay tuition and fees to Carnegie Mellon for their graduate program for four semesters beyond the completion of their junior year. Messiah College students also will be responsible for paying a maintenance fee to Messiah College while enrolled at Carnegie Mellon in their senior year.

Conferral of Degrees

Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. Messiah College will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to Messiah College transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.

Scholarships

Messiah College students will be eligible for scholarship support (if applicable) from Messiah College for their freshman through junior years. They will be eligible for scholarship support from the Heinz College for the length of their graduate program, and can apply to any and all Heinz College scholarship funds for which they are eligible (based on program and the individual scholarship fund’s specific requirements).

Prerequisites

The MSPPM program does not have formal prerequisites for admission. However, because the curriculum is highly quantitative, students should take a college-level course in 1. statistics and 2. advanced algebra/pre-calculus. Students who have not taken these courses may be required to attend a four-week summer program online through Heinz College prior to the start of their master's program. There is no tuition for the summer program, but we encourage students to take these courses at Messiah College.

Heinz College and Singapore Management University (SMU) offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified “Fast-Track” undergraduate students. The program, structured as three years as SMU students followed by four semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.

Eligibility

The program is designed for SMU Fast Track students who have completed their junior year who are interested in enrolling in the MSPPM program's Data Analytics pathway.

Admissions Requirements

Eligible students from SMU can apply online for free in the fall of their junior year for admission at the start of their senior year to the Public Policy and Management program's Data Analytics (DA) pathway. As a Fast Track applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all Public Policy and Management-DA applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.

Conferral of Degrees

Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. SMU will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to SMU transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.

Prerequisites

For detailed prerequisite information and course descriptions for the Public Policy and Management-DA program, please see the "Required Quantitative & Technical Preparation for MSPPM" section above.

Heinz College and VinUniversity offer an Accelerated Master's Program to qualified VinUniversity undergraduate students. The program, structured as three years at VinUniversity followed by four semesters at Heinz College, results in students receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree in less time than is normally required.

Eligibility

The program is designed for VinUniversity students who have completed their third year.

Admissions Requirements

Students can apply online for free in the fall (August to December) of their third year for admission at the start of their fourth year. As an Accelerated Master's applicant, you are required to submit the application materials and meet the admission criteria required of all MSPPM applicants, detailed above in the "Application Checklist" section.

Tuition and Fees

Students will pay tuition and fees to VinUniversity from their first through third years. They will pay tuition and fees to Carnegie Mellon for their graduate program for four semesters beyond the completion of their third year.

Conferral of Degrees

Students will receive both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon completion of their graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. VinUniversity will count units taken during the master’s program toward the student’s bachelor’s degree according to its policies and procedures. Carnegie Mellon will forward to VinUniversity transcripts and other necessary information on student academic performance.

Scholarships

VinUniversity students will be eligible for scholarship support (if applicable) from VinUniversity for their first through third years. They will be eligible for scholarship support from the Heinz College for the length of their graduate program, and can apply to any and all Heinz College scholarship funds for which they are eligible (based on program and the individual scholarship fund’s specific requirements).

Number of Students

Each year, Heinz College will admit a maximum of five qualified VinUniversity students to the MSPPM program.

Prerequisites

The MSPPM program does not have formal prerequisites for admission. However, because the curriculum is highly quantitative, students should take a college-level course in 1. statistics and 2. advanced algebra/pre-calculus. Students who have not taken these courses may be required to attend a four-week summer program online through Heinz College prior to the start of their master's program. There is no tuition for the summer program, but we encourage students to take these courses at VinUniversity.