M.P.P. & M.A.S. Programs

The Jackson School of Global Affairs offers professional degrees for students who are pursuing careers in government, public affairs, and private organizations addressing global issues. Applicants should tailor their personal statement and other application components around their demonstrated interest in global affairs and showcase how their academic and professional backgrounds shape their intended focus area at the Jackson School as well as their future professional plans in the global arena.

Students apply through the Jackson School of Global Affairs website, https://jackson.yale.edu/admissions. The online application for the M.P.P. program is available from mid-August through January 2. The online application for the M.A.S. program is available from mid-August through November 1.

Qualifications

Master in Public policy in Global Affairs (M.P.P.)

Full-time work, volunteer, or internship experience for a period of one or more years after graduation is strongly preferred. Prior experience in the fields most relevant to global affairs or international study—history, political science, and economics—is a valuable asset in pursuing an M.P.P. in Global Affairs, though it is not required.

It is strongly recommended that entering students have taken introductory courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics prior to matriculating. These courses may be taken at any college or university as part of an undergraduate degree or separate from it.

Master of Advanced Study in Global Affairs (M.A.S.)

Applicants must have significant professional experience. Candidates should show superior professional qualifications and evidence of ability to succeed and thrive in a rigorous, multidisciplinary academic program and specify what skills and knowledge they hope to gain that are relevant to their professional role. Master of Advanced Study in Global Affairs applicants may not simultaneously seek admission to the Jackson School’s two-year M.P.P. program.

B.A.-B.S./M.P.P.

Current Yale College students may apply to the B.A.–B.S./M.P.P. program in the spring term of their junior year. Applicants must complete an application form and submit transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, two academic letters of recommendation (at least one from an instructor in a Yale course in their major), one personal statement, and documentation of approval by the dean of the student’s residential college. All other information needed to apply is available on Jackson School’s application portal at https://apply.jackson.yale.edu/apply.

Further information about the program may be viewed on the Jackson School of Global Affairs website, https://jackson.yale.edu/admissions/applying-to-the-five-year-program. Questions about admissions should be directed to the assistant dean for admissions.

Joint-Degree Programs

To enhance the educational opportunity of its graduate students, the Jackson School collaborates with Yale’s professional schools and has developed joint-degree programs that fulfill the requirements of each school. A joint degree is an integrated education program that is designed to achieve a combination of two programs in a way that is complementary to both. Candidates must apply and be admitted to each school separately. Candidates can apply simultaneously at the the outset or to the second program once they have matriculated in one of the programs at Yale. The online application for the M.P.P. program is available from mid-August through January 2. Students apply through the Jackson School of Global Affairs website, https://jackson.yale.edu/admissions. For information about the application process at joint-degree Schools, please visit https://jackson.yale.edu/admissions/joint-degrees.

Joint-degree programs are not permitted with the M.A.S. degree.

Required Application Materials

The Jackson School M.P.P. and M.A.S. applications along with a detailed description of application procedures, guidelines, requirements, deadlines, and all other information needed to apply are available on Jackson School’s application portal at https://apply.jackson.yale.edu/apply.

An application packet consists of the following:

• A personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Official transcripts and, if applicable, translations of the same are required from admitted applicants. Transcripts from all prior institutions attended should be submitted electronically through the Jackson School Application. Official transcripts will be requested only upon admission into the program.

In reviewing applications, the committee looks for evidence of excellent academic aptitude and strength in the subjects that we offer, e.g., economics, politics, etc. For more information, please contact our Admissions Office.

International Transcript Credential Evaluation

Although not required for admission, applicants completing their undergraduate and/or graduate degree(s) outside of the United States or Canada are encouraged to submit a transcript evaluation from World Education Services (www.wes.org), Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org) or similar. The evaluation should be a course-by-course report of all transcripts and diplomas (undergraduate and graduate), must include U.S. equivalent GPA on a 4.0 scale, and must include a certification of U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency. Applicants are responsible for any fees associated with these evaluations. Those who accept our offer of admission and decide to matriculate at the Jackson School of Global Affairs will need to have their International Transcript Credential Evaluation sent directly to jackson.registrar@yale.edu to fulfill the official transcript requirement for enrollment. Applicants with credentials from institutions in the People's Republic of China should have their transcripts and degree certificates verified by the China Credentials Verification (CSSD). All verification reports and any academic records should be issued in the English language. To apply for CSSD verification visit http://www.chsi.com.cn/en.

Required Examinations

All M.P.P. applicants must take the GRE General Test and have official scores released to 3388. It is recommended that you take the GRE no later than mid-December. GRE scores are optional for M.A.S. applicants.

Students whose native language is not English and who did not earn their undergraduate degree at a university where English is the language of instruction must also take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English exam. The minimum score required for the TOEFL is 102 on the internet-based exam (iBT) or 610 on the paper-based exam (PBT). A score of 7.5–8 on the IELTS is roughly equivalent to the required minimum. For the Cambridge English exam, students must achieve scores demonstrating C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency in English. 

Application FeeS and Waivers

The fee to apply to the M.P.P. program is $75. To encourage early applications, the Jackson School of Global Affairs waives the application fee for all M.P.P. program applications received by December 1. A form is not required to receive the waiver. Applicants may still apply until our deadline of January 2, but the fee will not be automatically waived for applications submitted after 11:59 pm EST on December 1. 

Candidates applying through select programs with partnerships with the Jackson School may apply for a fee waiver after December 1. A list of programs and the fee waiver form can be found at https://jackson.yale.edu/admissions/mpp/application-process/fees-and-waivers. 

An application fee of $100 is required for the M.A.S. program. This fee cannot be waived. No preference will be given to early applications. 

Deferring Admission

The Jackson School will consider deferral requests only in cases of extreme hardship or illness, military deployment, or inability to travel to the U.S. due to visa restrictions or complications. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and should be addressed to the assistant dean for admissions.

Visiting Campus

Prospective students are welcome to visit the program or to speak with Jackson staff. The Admissions Office holds information sessions several times in the fall of each year. Please visit our admissions events page, https://jackson.yale.edu/jackson-events, for a list of upcoming events.

Webinars

The Admissions Office hosts online chats for prospective students during the fall admissions season and over the summer. The webinars provide an overview of the admissions process and a Q&A session with admissions staff. Visit our admissions events page for a list of upcoming sessions. You can also view past webinars on the admissions archive page.

Regional Events

Admissions staff and alumni volunteers from the Jackson School of Global Affairs participate in several recruitment events for prospective graduate students around the globe. Visit the admissions events page for upcoming events.

Spring Visit for Admitted Students

In the spring of each year, applicants who are offered admission to our graduate program are invited to the Admitted Students Program.

World Fellows

The Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program is a non-degree leadership development program based in the International Leadership Center. Accepted applicants are appointed as Postgraduate Fellows during their time at Yale.

Applicants should be between five and twenty-five years into their professional careers, with demonstrated, significant accomplishments at a regional, national, or international level. Applicants must be citizens of a country other than the United States. While applicants who hold dual citizenship with the United States are eligible, strong preference is given to candidates whose work is focused outside the United States. Applicants must be fluent in English.

Applicants must submit an online application including a personal statement and three letters of recommendation. The application deadline typically falls during the first week of December for the following year’s program. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee and decisions are typically released in April. To learn more please visit https://worldfellows.yale.edu. Questions can be directed to world.fellows@yale.edu.