Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration

• Departments and Programs

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Mission

Named for the 46th president of the United States, the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware prepares students with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to engage in research and public service activities to improve the quality of life in communities around the world. Our faculty, staff, students and alumni create and use interdisciplinary, nonpartisan research and empirically based analysis to inform effective decision-making and policy and to improve leadership and administration. We partner with organizations from all sectors to discover and foster innovative and equitable solutions that promote civic virtues and democratic values.

The Biden School works every day to make the world a better place by advancing innovative and equitable policy solutions to the critical challenges of our time.

Reach out to learn more about our 22 academic programs, our deep commitment to experiential learning, and to explore our areas of focus:

Public Finance and Budgeting
Nonprofit Management
Public Management and Leadership
Democracy, Civil Discourse, and Civic Engagement
Disaster Science and Emergency Management
Environmental Policy
Public Health Policy and Management
Education Policy
Social Policy
Urban Policy and Planning
Equity and Social Justice

Requirements for Admission

The admission policy of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration seeks to foster a diverse student body in terms of age, sex, race, and cultural background. The school, therefore, uses several criteria in assessing a prospective student’s motivation, interests, and ability to perform successfully in its graduate programs. The qualifications of each applicant are considered in the context of the student’s unique background, accomplishments, and interests. While the degrees are aimed at students with different career goals, the admissions committees consider these criteria when evaluating all applicants:

1. Genuine interest in and motivation to undertake academic work in one of the School’s areas of study, as evidenced by application material and, for PhD students, an interview with the program director, or a member of the program admissions committee.
2. The ability to complete a graduate degree program successfully, as reflected in prior academic work, letters of recommendation from faculty, and examples of academic or professional written work of the candidate.
3. Ability to apply previously acquired competencies to problem areas, community, or organizational needs as measured by contributions in and the nature of professional work experience, volunteer service, and/or internships with assessments by faculty, professionals, and/or community leaders. Indicators of the quality and extent of previous professional work experience suggestive of the capability for a public service career are particularly important with regard to admission to the Master of Public Administration program.
4. For students whose first language is not English, a minimum score of 105 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.

In addition, admission to the Ph.D. program requires completion of a master’s degree. Academic performance at the master’s level, potential for professional achievement, and compatibility of student interests with areas of research specialization in the program are key criteria for admission to the Ph.D. programs.

Admission is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Departments and Programs

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