MPP Admissions

Early Action Deadline: July 15, 2026
Priority Deadline: September 15, 2026
Final Deadline: October 15, 2026
Semester Starts: January 27, 2027

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Admissions Requirements

Application Information

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university and three years of full-time employment are required prior to the start of the program. This program is ideally suited for currently employed, working-professionals.

GRE Subject:

Not required

GRE General:

Not required

TOEFL/IELTS:

All international applicants whose native language is not English must submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. 

Exceptions may be made for application with a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction or from a University in the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Ethiopia, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales), West Indies, Zambia).

The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator exam are accepted. The online Master of Public Policy program recommends a minimum score of 100 (iBT). The corresponding minimum IELTS score is 7.

Students from mainland China may submit the TOEFL ITP Plus exam.

Official Transcripts: 

Required. All applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for application submission. An international transcript evaluation (WES, ECE, or SpanTran) is required for degrees from non-U.S. institutions for application submission. Official transcripts & evaluations are required for enrolling students prior to the start of their first semester classes.

Letters of Recommendations: 

(3) Required. Should be submitted by individuals from professional or academic backgrounds. At least one recommendation letter should be provided from a professional supervisor/manager.

Personal Statement: 

Our program’s mission is to cultivate and elevate the next generation of global leaders to address pressing societal challenges. How have you addressed policy issues or societal challenges in your past professional experience? Additionally, how do you envision Brown’s online Master of Public Policy will elevate your career trajectory? Please explain how the elements of our online MPP align with your overall professional vision. There is no minimum word count, but we encourage you to stay below 1500 words. 

Resume/CV: 

Required. Applicants are required to have three years of full-time professional employment experience, preferably in a public policy. 

Quantitative Resume: 

In addition to their resume/CV, applicants are required to submit a quantitative resume. A sample quantitative resume sample can be found here. 

Additional Materials: 

$100 Application Fee. 

*Apply by the Early Action Deadline and we’ll waive your $100 application fee. 

Additional Requirements:

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS if applicable)

Transcript Evaluation (if applicable)

RESTRICTIONS AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

To comply with OFAC restrictions and licensing requirements, Brown University currently does not offer online programs to individuals physically located in the following areas: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Please note that this limitation is location based, as well as applies to all citizens of these countries, regardless of location, who are ordinarily resident in these countries. View more information pertaining to embargoed country regulations for online courses.

Prerequisites:

At least one semester of college-level statistics. A grade of B or better with completion within the last five years is preferred. Applicants who are missing the required prerequisites are strongly encouraged to upload an additional statement outlining their plan for completing the prerequisite(s) prior to starting the program and/or how their professional work experience supplements any missing prerequisite requirement.