PhD in Public Policy and Management

• Energy and environmental policy
• Education and workforce policy
• Food policy
• Housing policy
• Health policy
• Information technology policy
• Management science
• Nonprofit management
• Public sector economics
• Public finance

Take advantage of the breadth and depth of expertise at The Ohio State University. Our doctoral students have access to numerous research centers and initiatives to collaborate on funded research projects, access data and resources, attend seminars, and collaborate with faculty and students from other departments.

Ohio State Research Centers 

The status will first become available two to three days after your application is received. Visit appstatus.osu.edu to check the status of your application during the admissions process.

Applicants previously enrolled in other graduate programs at Ohio State do not need to submit an online application. Contact GlennApply@osu.edu for more information.

Application Fee:

• $60 for domestic applicants
• $70 for international applicants
• This fee is nonrefundable

Application Fee Waivers (U.S. applicants only)

If you feel you qualify for an application fee waiver based on your participation in any of the diversity initiatives through the Graduate School Program or Ohio State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, or if you feel you qualify because of economic hardship, please select the appropriate box(es) under the application fee waiver section of the online application. 

• You must submit proof in order to qualify for an application fee waiver. 
• Qualifying criteria are listed at admissions.osu.edu/apps/pdfs/pfwf.pdf.
• You cannot submit your online application until your application fee waiver request is approved or your application fee is paid. You will be notified if your application fee waiver request is not approved, at which time you should return to the online application and submit the application fee.

Indicate your academic and career goals, your interest in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and how your education and work experience qualify you for admission. Most personal statements are two to five single-spaced pages. 

*If you are an internal transfer student who started an Ohio State degree that you do not plan to complete before entering the Glenn College, please describe why you do not plan to complete your current degree (e.g., unable to pass qualifying exams, change in research interests), and why you think that the Glenn College is a better fit.

Resume or CV: Be sure to include work experience, volunteer activities, academics and professional honors, honorary societies, extracurricular activities, offices held, any publications and other significant activities.

Three letters of recommendation are required and should reflect the academic and, if relevant, job capability and experiences of the applicant. The letters should speak to the applicant’s ability to excel in an academic professional program. 

Requirements:

• Letters must be submitted electronically using the online application (select “Public Policy and Management”).
• While completing your online application, please provide your recommender’s name and email address. The Office of Graduate & Professional Admissions will send an email to the recommenders instructing them to complete a short assessment and upload a PDF recommendation letter. 
• Inform your letter writers that they will receive an email from Ohio State once you submit the online application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure letters of recommendation are completed by posted deadlines. 
• If recommenders experience difficulties accessing the link or using the online system, please contact the Office of Graduate & Professional Admissions directly at gpadmissions@osu.edu.
• Letters of recommendation sent directly to the Glenn College will not be accepted.

Upload transcripts from ALL of the universities and colleges you attended with your online application as an attachment. 

• Transcripts are required, even if classes transferred to another institution, if you attended during high school or completed through a study abroad program.
• Transcripts are not required for coursework completed at Ohio State. 
• Submit copies (front and back) of official transcripts. Please submit only scanned images of paper official transcripts issued by your institution’s registrar. Ohio State will not accept web reports, advising reports, self-reported scores or transfer credit on another school’s transcript.

Transcripts submitted with the online application are considered unofficial and, if admitted, you will be required to submit an official set of transcripts with statement of degree (if appropriate) prior to enrolling at Ohio State.

The GRE is optional for all PhD applications unless the applicant’s GPA for the last degree earned is less than 3.0. 

GMAT and LSAT scores will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Official GRE and GMAT Codes:

• GRE Institution Code: 1592; Department Code: 2204
• GMAT Program Code: ZLJ-GT-29 Master in Public Policy

The Glenn College offers a variety of merit-based funding opportunities for incoming MPA students. In order to be eligible for fellowship and assistantship funding consideration, students must apply by the priority deadline for an autumn semester start to their degree program. Students who apply after that deadline may be considered for scholarship funding. Students who start the program in off-terms (spring and summer) are not eligible for funding. 

The priority-funding deadline for an autumn start is Dec. 1 (domestic) and Nov. 1 (international).

Graduate Assistantships 

Positions that provide a tuition waiver and monthly stipend, while requiring a work commitment of 20 hours per week. In addition to research and administrative positions within the Glenn College, many of our GA students have the opportunity to gain practical policy experience by working 20 hours per week at agencies such as the Columbus City Council and Franklin County Board of Commissioners. Typically, GA recipients have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Scholarships

The Glenn College is also pleased to offer a number of merit‐based scholarships. These awards are fixed amounts that are paid out over one or more years of graduate study. All MPA applicants who meet the Dec. 1 deadline will be considered.

The Ohio State University awards University Fellowships annually on a competitive basis. Fellowships provide a tuition waiver for the first year of graduate study as well as a monthly stipend. University Fellowship recipients typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.6 or higher.

In addition to University Fellowships, Ohio State also offers Graduate Enrichment Fellowships to students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Enrichment Fellowship recipients typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher.

For more information about fellowships and the selection process, visit the Graduate School Fellowship page.

Application must be completed by Dec. 1 (Nov. 1 international)

In addition to merit-based financial assistance through the Glenn College, students may also be eligible for loans, university‐wide scholarships and other forms of financial aid. For more information, please contact the Ohio State Financial Aid Office or call them at 614-292‐0300 regarding these matters.

Click here for financial aid and funding information provided by the Graduate School at Ohio State.