Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic sources (e.g., professors from previous degree work). If it is not possible to secure two academic references, please contact the GPD for advice on acceptable substitutes.

A three- to six-page double-spaced written statement of academic and professional goals. The focus of the essay should be on how the Ph.D. degree in Public Administration and Policy will assist the applicant in advancing his/her professional development, and why the applicant wishes to pursue these goals at Old Dominion University and in the School of Public Service.

A copy of your professional resume or CV.

Transcripts from a regionally-accredited institution or a comparable foreign institution showing completion of a master's degree by the time of enrollment with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.

GRE:
Aptitude scores on the GRE, or in cases of substitution, the GMAT, taken within five years prior to applying for admission. Scores at the 25th percentile or higher for quantitative and verbal components of the GRE or GMAT are required. Scores from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are not accepted or considered for admission.

GRE Waiver option:
To waive the requirement for the School of Public Service Ph.D. Admissions Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) requirement, applicants must have at least a grade of B or higher in a graduate level statistics or research methods course OR a 3.5 or above GPA in a regionally accredited master's degree program

• GRE Waiver Form (PDF)

For students whose native language is not English, a minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL, or 6.5 on the IELTS is required. There are no conditional admissions to waive this requirement.