Online Master of Public Administration and Leadership

Eligible individuals must have at least three years of administrative or analytical post-baccalaureate experience. Experience is assessed on an individual basis, however, the following indicators are useful in understanding how the Glenn College defines administrative OR analytical experience.

Administrative Experience could include:

• Responsibility for personnel decisions (hiring/supervising/evaluating) in an organization
• Responsibility for managing day to day program or organizational operations
• Responsibility for formulating budget decisions in an organization
• Increasing responsibility over time

Analytical Experience could include:

• Responsibility for researching and writing reports that inform decision-making in an organization
• Previous master's degree
• Increasing responsibility over time

Email your resume to glennapply@osu.edu to confirm eligibility before applying. Include a short statement explaining how your resume reflects administrative or analytical experience.

If you’re not eligible, you may be interested in our professional development opportunities.

Master of Public Administration and Leadership (Online MPAL) Application

Program Code: PUBADM-MPL

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.

Application Fee:

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

Graduates of The Ohio State University applying to an online degree program are eligible for an application fee waiver.

View program affordability

View College and University Funding Opportunities

Ohio State's Scholarship Universe

Statement of purpose prompt: 

The Online Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL) program is designed for students who are working professionals in this field. To that end, individuals eligible for application to the program must meet the work experience requirement as found on the program website. Experience is assessed on an individual basis. It is recommended that you email us your resume to see if you are eligible for this program before completing the application for admission.

Please write a personal statement that outlines your interest in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and how your education and work experience qualify you for admission. Things to consider when crafting your statement: your personal motivation for seeking out a graduate degree, which can include academic background, work/professional experience and/or "miles traveled;" your preparation for coursework in the program; what you hope to gain from and contribute to the Glenn College Community during your time here; and how this degree aligns with your short- and long-term academic and professional goals.

While there is no length requirement for this personal statement, the committee expects at least 2-3 pages to adequately answer the prompts.

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 for classes transferred from another institution, including classes 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 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.

Student Services and Benefits: Ohio State's online students are eligible to receive support services and benefits from many organizations across the university.

Want to find out if you are ready for online learning? Take The Ohio State University's online readiness assessment.

Learn about the online student experience at Ohio State.

The online MPAL program is primarily offered as an asynchronous learning experience. However, on occasion a class may schedule synchronous sessions two to three times per semester to allow for deeper engagement between the instructor and students.