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Master of Public Administration Washington, D.C.

Launch your career in Washington.

The Glenn College MPA-DC program allows you to complete your MPA while gaining professional experience in the nation's capital. After a year of studying in Columbus, year two is spent living, learning and working in Washington, D.C.

  • Intern four days a week
  • Complete specialized coursework in federal policy and management
  • Engage with your cohort and build relationships through experiential learning opportunities
  • Nurture your passion for public service and administration
  • Grow your network in D.C.
  • Gain experience that makes you more competitive for future employment opportunities

MPA-DC Core Curriculum

The MPA-DC core curriculum is designed to provide students a solid grounding in the study of public policy, economics, management and data analysis. Students must complete all year-one MPA-DC core courses in Columbus and final year of graduate study in Washington. MPA-DC students can complete MPA-DC and a dual degree as long as these requirements are met.

View MPA-DC Course Plan

View Sample Course Syllabi

Decisions Support Systems Stream

PUBAFRS 6070 – Public Affairs Statistics

Techniques and statistics used in the analysis of public policy issues and problems

PUBAFRS 6080 – Public Affairs Program Evaluation

Survey of the conceptual, methodological, bureaucratic, political and organizational issues surrounding evaluation research. Prerequisite: PUBAFRS 6070

Management Stream

PUBAFRS 6050 – Managing Public Sector Organizations

Analysis of alternative approaches to the management of public agencies. Examination of alternative strategies that managers may use to link the agency to its operating environment.

PUBAFRS 6060 – Managing Human Resources in Public Organizations

Development of analytic and interpersonal skills needed for public sector management. Analytical and experiential learning through reading, lecture, discussion, case analysis, in-class presentations, management decision-making simulations and role-playing.

Economics Stream

PUBAFRS 6030 – Public Sector Economics

Economic analysis applied to problems of public policy selection and government management operations; efficiency criteria, market failure and public choice applied to administrative decision-making.

PUBAFRS 6040 – Public Budgeting and Finance

Comprehensive survey and analysis of the principal fiscal activities of contemporary governments, public-sector activity, taxation, intergovernmental relations and fiscal problems. Budgeting as analysis of resource allocation, planning, tools of analysis and measurement of program results.. Prerequisite: PUBAFRS 6030

Public Policy Stream

PUBAFRS 6000 – Public Policy Formulation and Implementation

Analysis of the operating environment of the public administrator: public policy processes, public organization behavior and policy formulation in the U.S. federal system.

PUBAFRS 6010 – Legal Environment of Public Organizations

Examination of public administration within the managerial, political and legal traditions of the U.S. Constitution with the goal of teaching public managers how to work with the law through an understanding of legal concepts, jargon, skills and issues. The course covers federal and Ohio law.

Apply Today

Review the application steps below before beginning your application. Application deadline is December 1. 

MPA-DC applicants will use the "Master of Public Administration" application. Indicate your interest in the D.C. program within your application. 

PLEASE NOTE: the deadline below is the date in which all application materials must be received including online application form, resume, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores (if applicable) and transcripts. Applications that are not entirely complete by the date set below will not be reviewed.

Students who have established Ohio residency for tuition purposes will remain Ohio residents during their second year in Washington.

Additional Helpful Information:
Merit Based Funding Opportunities

Master of Public Administration application.
Program Code: PUBADM-MPA

Students interested in MPA-DC are strongly advised to apply by the Glenn College’s priority deadline of December 1st, 2021. After the priority deadline, applications for MPA-DC will be considered on a space-available basis.

Through the Master of Public Administration program application, students interested in MPA-DC will complete two additional essay questions to elaborate on their interest in Washington. 

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.

There are no additional fees to participate in MPA-DC.

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. There is no length requirement for the personal statement.

*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 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.

GRE Scores are no longer required for any applicant to a master's level program at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Applicants with a GPA that fall below a 3.0 are encouraged to contact the Glenn College for further direction in strengthening their application.

  • The GRE is required if 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

D.C. Support Team

The Glenn College has a dedicated team in Washington to support you through your experience in D.C.

We will help you find an internship opportunity that fits your passions and skills while coaching you through the placement process. To prepare you for your time in Washington, we will match you with an alumni mentor who will also help guide you through the program

Attend an Information Session

If you're considering a master's degree at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming graduate information sessions. Our team will discuss our degree programs, student benefits and the application process.

We have both in person and virtual information sessions available. Please register by selecting the preferred date and  note all times are for the Eastern time zone (Ohio). We hope to see you there!

Virtual Information Sessions via Zoom:

Unable to attend? We'd still love to talk with you about turning your passions into policy. Please visit our Connect with Us page to learn more.

For application and program questions contact: