Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership

The admissions policies of the School follow the mission by our commitment to attract and educate a diverse student population that is dedicated to public service as a career. We seek students from diverse backgrounds, with various baccalaureate educations and professional experience in diverse public service activities.A complete application to the M.P.N.L. program requires:

1. A completed graduate application.
2. A non-refundable application fee unless the applicant has previously applied to Grand Valley State University and has paid this fee.
3. An official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution.
4. Three letters of reference from informed sources.
5. An essay on career and educational objectives (250 to 750 words).
6. A resume
7. Submission of an official TOEFL or IELTS score report is required of applicants whose native language is not English.

• A 3.0 grade point average from an accredited college or university, calculated on the last 60 credits of undergraduate work. (This GPA will include all courses, including those classes that may have been repeated or transferred.) Also, holding a graduate degree, a graduate certificate, or having successfully completed at least 12 semester hours in another graduate program, will be considered as strong evidence of an applicant"s academic competency to do graduate level work in the M.P.A. program.
• The equivalent of three years of managerial experience
• Three years of service with a nonprofit organization.
• Three positive recommendations from well-informed sources such as current and/or former professors or supervisors. These letters will address the applicant\xc2\x92s academic skills, analytical and problem solving abilities, professionalism, reliability, and/or work ethic.
• A demonstrated commitment to community and public service. This would normally be in the form of three or more years of professional work experience since receiving a baccalaureate degree.

• Submitting a GRE score is recommended for applicants who lack a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. The GRE is also recommended for applicants applying for a graduate assistantship with SPNHA. GRE scores of at least 550 verbal and 620 quantitative will be considered favorably.
• Successfully completing graduate-level course work as a nondegree-seeking student is recommended for applicants who lack a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. However, 12 credits taken as a nondegree seeking student is the limit that can be applied to the M.P.N.L. program upon admission. Receiving a B or better as a nondegree-seeking student will be considered favorably.