Are there any specific undergraduate requirements if I want to pursue an MPA/MPP?

Graduate School
1

<p>So currently I'm a 2nd year at UCLA and I'm a History major and Public Affairs minor. I would like to get a MPA/MPP in the future.</p>

<p>For my major and minor, I don't need to take any econ, stats, or math classes. So...I haven't taken any...and I don't really plan to since it's not necessary.</p>

<p>I looked at the requirements at schools like UCLA, USC, and UC Berkeley and it seems their requirements are just high gpa, high GRE score, work experience, etc. However, I have also read for some other schools that they require at least a course in an intro stats and into microeconomics class.</p>

<p>One reason this is such a debate for me is because the microeconomics classes at UCLA are weeder classes and major gpa killers. I mean, it's not that I don't enjoy econ, it's just that if it's not necessary, why should I take it and risk deflating my gpa? I'd rather apply to grad school with the highest GPA possible.</p>

<p>In terms of work experience, I would hope I am on the right track. This summer I have an internship lined up with an attorney and will be assisting her with immigration documents (not exactly public policy, I know) and next year I will be working at JusticeCorp/AmeriCorp for a year (er...again not specifically related to Public Policy, but many students work at PeaceCorp or AmeriCorp before applying for MPA/MPP), and my senior year (hopefully) I will be going to Washington DC for a quarter for research.</p>

<p>I guess my question is, given the internship, volunteer, research experience, good GPA, and good GRE score, would that be necessary to get into a solid MPA/MPP program like at UCLA, USC, Cal? I mean do I have to take at least 1 intro econ class and 1 intro stats course? Or does it not matter and it's just one of those "I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT" things...?</p>

2

<p>This is from UMich-Ann Arbor’s website:</p>

<p>“While you do not need these classes to qualify for admission, it would be helpful to you and to our admissions committee to have some idea of your skills in these areas. We recommend that you take an introductory Calculus, Statistics, and Micro Economics course. Exposure to these subjects will ease your transition to the Ford School’s quantitative curriculum.”</p>

3

<p>I also just wanted to add, this is from the UCLA Public Affair’s minor website:</p>

<p>“Prerequisite: Public Policy 10A is the only prerequisite for admission to the minor. Students must earn a B in PP 10A. Students are also strongly encouraged to take a lower division course in statistics and another in microeconomics.”</p>

<p>Okay, so even if I did take a class in microecon and stats, is 2 classes sufficient? I don’t know, some schools are just so broad :frowning: Harvard for instance says they prefer a background in econ, stats, and calculus. What does “a background” mean?! 1 course? 10 courses?! If I just take 1 quarter of Micro econ and 1 quarter of stats (and no calculus), should that be sufficient?</p>