Graduate Program Application Process
Now accepting applications for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 admission to the master’s programs in urban planning, public policy, public informatics and health administration.
Please see below for applications deadlines for our specific master’s and Ph.D. programs.
Application Process
A complete application consists of all* of the following:
- Online application form
- Application fee
- Official transcripts of previous academic work
- A personal statement
- Three (3) letters of recommendation (some programs require 2)
- Resume
- Official test scores (if required – see particular program information below.)
- Doctoral applicants are also required to provide a writing sample.
Detailed procedures and instructions accompany the application forms. Applications should be filed as early as possible to meet the deadlines listed in the application materials.
All documents should be submitted electronically via the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions or, as in the case of resume and sample of writing, via the admissions upload site, with exception of the official transcripts. Transcripts should be submitted via USPS to the address below:
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Proctor Hall, Suite 308
65 Davidson Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854 U.S.A.
Phone: 848-932-7711
Fax: 732-932-8231
Important Applicant Information
DEADLINES
Documents that need to be mailed to the admissions office must arrive at or before posted deadlines.
For questions, please contact:
Lynn Astorga
Director of Student Recruitment and Adjunct Faculty
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Mid-Career Master Programs
Program Information
Urban Planning and Policy Development Master’s Program (MCRP and MCRS)
- Students Seeking Merit / Academic-Based Funding Awards – If you are applying to these programs for Fall/September admission and are also seeking merit-based funding (scholarships, tuition awards), please note that funding is awarded on a first-come basis starting with those who apply by January 15th. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive merit-based funding. Please note that not all applicants receive funding.
- The final deadlines for completed Fall/September applications to be received is April 1st for INTERNATIONAL students and July 1st for DOMESTIC students. We encourage those seeking university on-campus housing to apply early as it is more difficult to obtain after May 1st.
This program also offers Spring term (mid-year) admission, with a November 1 application deadline for all applicants. Limited, merit-based funding may be available for spring applicants.
The GRE has been waived for this program for spring and fall 2025 applications. International student applicants must provide a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo set of scores.
Public Policy Master’s Program (MPP and MPAP)
- Students Seeking Merit / Academic-Based Funding Awards – If you are applying to these programs for Fall/September admission and are also seeking merit-based funding, please note that funding is awarded on a first-come basis starting with those who apply by January 15th. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive merit-based funding. Please note that not all applicants receive funding.
- The final deadlines for completed Fall/September applications to be received is April 1st for INTERNATIONAL students and August 1st for DOMESTIC students. We encourage those seeking university on-campus housing to apply early as it is more difficult to obtain after May 1st.
This program also offers Spring term (mid-year) admission, with a November 1 application deadline for all applicants. Limited, merit-based funding may be available for spring applicants.
The GRE is not required for the MPP or MPAP programs. International student applicants must provide a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo set of scores. Waivers for this requirement may be obtained for those who graduated from a university with English-only instruction.
Urban and Public Informatics Master’s Program (MPI)
- Students Seeking Merit / Academic-Based Funding Awards – If you are applying to these programs for Fall/September admission and are also seeking merit-based funding (scholarships, tuition awards), please note that funding is awarded on a first-come basis starting with those who apply by January 15th. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive merit-based funding. Please note that not all applicants receive funding.
- The final deadlines for completed Fall/September applications to be received is April 1st for INTERNATIONAL students and July 1st for DOMESTIC students. We encourage those seeking university on-campus housing to apply early as it is more difficult to obtain after May 1st.
This program also offers Spring term (mid-year) admission, with a November 1 application deadline for all applicants. Limited, merit-based funding may be available for spring applicants.
The GRE has been waived for this program for fall 2025 applications. International student applicants must provide a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo set of scores.
Health Administration Master’s Program (MHA)
- Students Seeking Merit / Academic-Based Funding Awards – If you are applying to this program for Fall/September admission and are also seeking merit-based funding (scholarships), please note that funding is awarded on a first-come basis. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive merit-based funding. Please note that not all applicants receive funding.
- The final deadlines for completed Fall/September applications to be received is April 1st for INTERNATIONAL students and July 1st for DOMESTIC students. We encourage those seeking university on-campus housing to apply early as it is more difficult to obtain after May 1st.
This program also offers Spring term (mid-year) admission, with a November 1 application deadline for all applicants. Limited, merit-based funding may be available for spring applicants.
This program does NOT require a standardized test score like the GRE, LSAT or GMAT. International student applicants must provide a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo set of scores.
Planning and Public Policy Doctoral Program
- If you are applying to this program, the deadline for your application is December 15th for the following fall academic term.
- Merit-based funding awards (assistantships, fellowships) are considered for all candidates that meet this deadline. Packages include five-year offers of funding for top-tier candidates.
- This program does not offer spring term admission.
- GRE scores are required. International student applicants must provide TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores.
- In addition to all general application requirements, an uploaded writing sample is required.
Application Procedures
Testing
Standardized testing requirements for the academic programs include (except for programs where noted):
- Graduate Record Examination
The Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Affairs and Politics (MPAP), and Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree programs do NOT require any standardized test scores for admission.
The GRE has been waived for all Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP), Master of City and Regional Studies (MCRS) and Master of Public Informatics (MPI) applicants seeking admission for fall 2025.
The GRE is REQUIRED for applicants to the Ph.D. in Planning and Public Policy.
GRE information and application forms may be obtained on the Education Testing Service website: https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/register.html
by calling (609) 771-7670
or by writing to:
Graduate Record Examinations Programs
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 955
Princeton , NJ 08541-0955
U.S.A.
The Educational Testing Service requires at least six weeks to process and report formal and final GRE scores.
- Foreign Applicants—TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) / IELTS / DuoLingo
Satisfactory English proficiency is a prerequisite for graduate study at the university. Applicants failing to meet minimum standards for English proficiency may be required to take a test upon arrival at the university and to take coursework in English as a second language. Nonimmigrant students are also expected to present evidence of adequate financial resources.
The university may deny admission to nonimmigrant students lacking satisfactory English proficiency or adequate financial resources. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required if English is not the applicant’s native language. We also accept IELTS and DuoLingo scores. Our TOEFL Institution Code for score reporting is 2790. For further information, write to:
TOEFL
Educational Testing Service
P.O Box 955
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-0955 U.S.A.
Admission
All admission decisions are informed judgments based on the applicant’s previous academic performance, standardized test scores (if applicable), experience and achievement, recommendations, and other relevant data as presented in their application for admission.
The number of students who can be accommodated in some programs is limited.
Applications are reviewed by a set number of program faculty, on a case-by-case basis as an “admissions committee” and decisions are collectively made on those applications with a final determination transmitted by the program director to the Dean. The admissions committee may establish protocols and standards annually based upon collective determination and applicant cohort shifts. The Dean’s Office reports those determinations to the university admissions office, responsible for implementing decisions.
Because admission requirements vary among the programs, applicants should carefully review the information and instructions provided in the application form, and consult with the individual program with questions.
You apply to the Bloustein School graduate programs online through the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.
Notification of Admission
Applicant review at the Bloustein School does not begin until after the posted deadline. Applications received before the deadlines are held until review begins. Applicants will receive written (email) notification of admissions decisions from the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, the Dean of the Bloustein School, and the academic program director. Admission will be confirmed on a certificate of admission (post mail), which may list certain conditions. Such conditions should be satisfied prior to registration unless otherwise indicated. All deadlines must be met.
Students who fail to register for the term to which they were admitted should contact the school at 848-932-2727 for further instructions.
Nonmatriculated (Non-degree) Students
The Bloustein School welcomes students to take classes on a non-degree basis, providing there is space available. Applicants should choose non-degree study on their application from the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions. Applicants who are accepted as non-degree students are permitted to register for an unlimited number of courses with the approval of the appropriate program director. Such courses carry full credit at the university; however, a maximum of 12 credits will be accepted by the school toward a degree should the student later be admitted to a degree program. Nondegree students who wish to enter a degree program in the Bloustein School must file an application and fee for admission with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions online. Admission to non-degree status neither predisposes nor guarantees later admission to a degree program.