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Starting Your Application

For any questions you may have as you move through the process of applying, please reach out to dalmpa@dal.ca. Please allow 1-3 business days for our admissions specialist to respond to your inquiry.

Application Deadline(s):

The MPA program has one intake each year in September only. Please see below the application deadlines for September 2025.

Step 1: Complete the Online ApplicationÌý

All applicants to MPA must start by filling our and pay the associated application fee. Please make sure before applying that you meet the minimum requirements as the application fee is non-refundable and must be paid before you application is processed. Methods of payment are included in the online application.Ìý

Following submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation number and/or Banner number in a few days. Please save this information for your records.

Please contact the Registrar's Office if you need assistance with your application form or fee: Admissions@Dal.Ca or +1 902 494 2450.

Note:Ìýfor those interested in our MPA/MI or MPA/JD joint degrees, applicants must apply and be admitted to both programs separately. Please view the pages below for more information on the MI and JD admissions processes:

• Master of Information Admissions
• Schulich School of Law JD Admissions

Step 2: Submit Supporting DocumentsÌý

All documents submitted electronically must be sent to dalmpa@dal.ca in PDF format. This is the recommended form of submission, unless mailing paper documents is the onlyÌýoption.Ìý

Documents can also be sent by mail to the address below. Please note that processing times will be slower for mailed/paper documents.Ìý

Dalhousie MPA OfficeÌý
Kenneth C Rowe BuildingÌý
6100 University Avenue, Suite 3010Ìý
Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2Ìý

Checking Your Application Status in DalOnline:

Applicants may check the status of their submitted application documents by logging into the admissions portal on the Dalhousie website. When documents have been added to your file, your profile will be updated. Updates are made every 2–3 business days (3–5 business days during peak times), so please allow time for this to show on your profile.Ìý

If you have contacted us multiple times and have not heard back, please check your email junk folder and ensure dalmpa@dal.ca is marked as "safe" so that you don't miss our emails. 

Required Supporting Documents:Ìý

1. Transcripts:Ìý

Applicants should hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an institution recognized by ¹û¶³ÊÓƵ with a minimum 3.0 on a 4.3 scale in the last two years (60 credits) of study.Ìý

Important Transcript Details:Ìý

• Notarized transcripts will not be acceptedÌý
• Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English translation provided by the institution issuing the transcript.  
• Transcript grading keys must be included with the transcript.  
• Degree and graduation certificates must be included if the transcript does not indicate the type of degree and date granted. 
• Transcripts submitted with applications become the property of ¹û¶³ÊÓƵ, are subject to verification, are not available for copying, and will not be returned to the applicant.  
• Official transcripts are not required for any courses or degree you have completed at ¹û¶³ÊÓƵ. Our office will obtain these transcripts on your behalf.  
• Please submit one copy of all official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Final transcripts must include the date the degree was conferred. If the transcript does not state this, documentation must be provided from the University confirming the date of graduation.Ìý
• If you completed credits at another institution that show up on your transcript (either as transfer credits or a study abroad/exchange), you mustÌýsubmit a transcript from that institution, in addition to your home institution = We require copies of transcripts from all previously attended institutions.

ÌýTranscript Submission Options:Ìý

• Electronic file-transfers from the issuing institution and from services such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, eScrip-Safe, My Creds, or Transcript Network.  
• PDFs sent by email directly from the issuing institution. These emailed transcripts are sent to dalmpa@dal.ca.

2. Reference LettersÌý

Two academic letters of reference are required as part of your application package. Professional references can be submitted according to the following schedule:

• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree three to five years ago:
  • one academic reference and one relevant professional reference
  • two academic references
• For applicants who completed their undergraduate (or related graduate) degree more than five years ago:
  • two relevant professional references
  • one academic reference and one relevant professional reference
  • two academic references.

Reference Submission Options:Ìý

• E-reference System: When filling out the online application, enter the university email addresses of your referees in the appropriate fields. This triggers our e-reference system to send a reference template to your referee’s inbox. Please note that the system is not triggered until after you have paid your application fee and can take 3–5 business days to be sent. To use the e-reference system, your referees must have a university, teaching hospital, or government email address. Other types of email addresses will not be accepted by the e-reference system (e.g., Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, or business addresses). 
  • References must be kept confidential from the applicant. Your referee cannot include you on the email and you cannotÌýsubmit the reference on their behalf.Ìý
  • The e-reference system automatically generates its own deadline 2 months from the date that the email is sent)
  • It is your responsibility to make sure they references submit in time with our deadlines.
• Physical Mail: Letters must be signed and in a stamped and sealed envelope which is endorsed across the back seal by referee. If the reference is given to the student directly to mail, do not open the envelope.
• E-mail: Reference letters may also be emailed by the referee to dalmpa@dal.ca The referee must use their work or institution associated email address.

Note: Referees are to use the  when sending the reference by email or mail. 

3. ResumeÌý

Please submit the most recent version of your resume. Ìý

4. Statement of Intent

The Statement of Intent offers applicants an opportunity to express their value proposition o the admissions committee. It is an important component of an application and used by the selection committee in their final assessment. 

In a 2–3-page double-spaced essay please discuss:

• Your career goals and how the MPA will help you achieve them.
• What strengths you would bring to the MPA Program and to the profession.
• What it means to be an ethical public servant.
• Any gaps or deficiencies in your academic record, or any other factors you wish to have considered.Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý

5. Language RequirementsÌý

English is the language of study at Dalhousie; therefore, all applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their capacity to pursue a graduate-level program in English before admission.  

For a complete list of English Language tests accepted by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. Test Taker copies of English Language reports are not accepted; they must be official copies sent from the test centre. 

• Minimum IELTS overall score of 7
• Minimum TOEFL score of 92

Note: The language competency test may be waived if the applicant has completed a degree that meets both of the following requirements: 

1. The degree is from a recognized university where the language of instruction is English.
2. The university (or campus location) where the degree was obtained is in a country where English is an official language. Please contact dalmpa@dal.ca if you are unsure whether you are required to provide this documentation.