NYU Wagner

APPLYING TO WAGNER

Doctoral Programs

Admissions Criteria

The mission of the Doctoral Program at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is to prepare students for careers in research and teaching in the fields of public affairs and administration. Wagner offers students an array of educational opportunities to become scholars and researchers in policy, finance and management in the public, health and nonprofit sectors. The degree granted is a Ph.D. in Public Administration.

The admissions process is designed to review the overall potential of applicants in order to determine which students will succeed in their studies and their careers. Decisions are not based on one single indicator. An admission decision will include the following criteria:

• prior academic performance where a measure is grades
• relevant course work completed
• work experience (professional, internships, or volunteer)
• statement of purpose
• recommendations
• standardized test scores (GRE or GMAT scores are required for all Doctoral Program applicants)
• personal interview, if requested by the Admissions Committee
• TOEFL and TWE scores for all international applicants

In addition, applicants are encouraged to submit any documentation that they feel will allow the Admissions Committee to understand better their record of accomplishments and leadership capabilities. Applicants should not feel constrained by the information requested in the application packet.

Please contact us at wagner.phd@nyu.edu with questions regarding the admissions process.

Academic Preparation of Applicants:

Students in the doctoral program enter with a previously earned Master's degree.  In extremely rare circumstances, a student with only a bachelor's degree may be admitted into the doctoral program provisional upon the completion of a year of master's study at NYU Wagner.  Provisional admission may be granted to exceptional students based on the following guidelines:

Applicants with no master's preparation may be granted provisional admission to the Doctoral Program, pending completion of the MPA at Wagner. These students must pass the doctoral research methods course with a grade of B or better in the fall of their second year, and the Preliminary Qualifying Exam (PQE) the following spring. Upon completion of the Master's degree and successful completion of these two requirements, students would be admitted to the doctoral program as a second year student.

Current first year Wagner MPA/MUP students who wish to be considered for the doctoral program must submit a formal application by the December 10th deadline. These students may be granted provisional admission to the doctoral program. They must pass the doctoral research methods course with a grade of B or better in the fall of their second year, and the Preliminary Qualifying Exam (PQE) the following spring. Upon completion of the Master's degree and successful completion of these two requirements, students would be admitted to the doctoral program as a second year student.

Review Process

Doctoral applications are accepted for the fall semester only and will be reviewed on one occasion as noted in the deadline schedule. While we strongly encourage you to submit your materials as early as possible, decisions will not be made until after the December deadline.