About Master’s Program,
The mission of the Sanford School of Public Policy Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program is to develop ethical and inclusive leaders who are committed to using evidence-based tools and rigorous analysis to solve public policy challenges and strengthen society through public service.
Sanford’s two-year, professional MPP program prepares students for careers as analysts, managers and leaders in various levels of business, government, and nonprofit organizations in the United States and around the world.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Sanford Admissions reviews applications holistically. If your application reflects strong quantitative and qualitative academic performance, then there is likely little value added taking the GRE. For students who do not have quantitative or qualitative coursework on their previous transcripts, the GRE could be an opportunity to demonstrate strength in those areas. But students might also take that time to strengthen their personal statements, revise their resumes, and seek out individuals who can write them strong letters of recommendation. It is up to the individual student’s discretion what will best strengthen their application.
MPP curriculum incorporate data analysis, microeconomics, and statistics, our MPP program is not STEM designated. As such, Sanford’s MPP program does not qualify for the 24-month extension for optional practical training (OPT).
Master’s Funding Coverage,
Our current policy allows us to provide merit-based scholarships to ALL accepted MPP applicants who are not receiving full funding from outside sources.
Sanford issues awards based on merit and demonstrated financial need to our domestic and international students in the form of tuition scholarships and/or teaching, research, or staff assistantships. You should indicate on your application that you would like to be considered for financial aid. We require no additional documentation.
All students are automatically considered for fellowship awards upon application to Sanford, except for the Ladd Fellowship which requires a separate application. There are also many third-party fellowships available from our partners.
Explore our fellowship page for a list of all Sanford -related fellowships and to read the stories from many of our recent fellowship recipients.
Application Requirement,
Statement of Purpose
Resume
Transcripts
Three Letters of Recommendation
Required Tests
Video Introduction
Curated Video Essay (Optional But Strongly Recommended)
Application Fee
Application Deadline,
Jan 05, 2026
Application Fee,
The application fee is $80 USD. We accept Visa or Mastercard (debit/credit).
