Admissions

Applicants seeking graduate admission must have a bachelor’s degree with an acceptable grade point average from an accredited college or university. The degree may be in any discipline.

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Contact us

Have any questions about applying or the admissions process? Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 678.547.6417 or copa.admissions@mercer.edu.

Application checklist

Submit all of the following items to complete your application to the program:

  • $35 Non-refundable Application Fee ($100 for International Applicants)
     Submit the required application fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to Mercer University. Do not send cash. The application fee is nonrefundable and cannot apply toward tuition. Former or current students of Mercer University need not submit another application fee.
  • MAT or GRE Test Score*
     All applicants must take the Millers Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and achieve a qualifying score. Scores must be no more than five years old at the time of application. Testing information can be provided through the official MAT or GRE Website. The target score for the MAT is 397, and the target score for the GRE is 151 verbal and 143 quantitative. This is but one tool used in the decision making process.
    *MAT/GRE not required for applicants who meet one of the following exceptions: 
    (a) Have at least five years of professional experience in the field of criminal justice or public safety. Candidates must also meet the 2.75 GPA requirement to be admitted to the program, and must submit two letters of recommendation (one from an executive level public service representative and one from an academic reference).
    OR
     (b) Achieved a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours of academic work.
  • Unofficial MAT or GRE Test Score
     If you have already taken the MAT or GRE and have the score results, we request that you include this information with the application. For example, you may submit a copy of the unofficial score report given at the time the test was taken (sometimes referred to as the “walk-out score report”) or a copy of your examinees score report received through the mail. This will allow the admissions department to begin the file evaluation process. This does not replace the requirement of an official score report for those applicants who are offered admission.
  • Transcripts from All Previously Attended Institutions
    Submit an official transcript from each college and university previously attended. Transcripts are required for both undergraduate (including summer school and studies abroad) and graduate course work, regardless of length of stay or if the grades are listed on another school’s transcript. Official electronic transcripts should be submitted to copa.admissions@mercer.edu. Former and current Mercer University students need not request a Mercer University transcript.
  • Letter of Recommendation
    Submit one professional letter of recommendation/support from a person in current or past leadership structure.
  • Autobiography and Career Goals
    Briefly discuss your background, your current occupation and future goals. Essay should be one to two pages, typed and double-spaced.
  • Résumé
    Applicants must submit a current résumé.

Submit all application supporting materials to:

Mercer University
Office of Graduate Admissions
College of Professional Advancement
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, GA 30341

Admission decisions cannot be made until all application materials have been received.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

A. Evaluation of Foreign Credentials: Applicants who completed all or part of their education abroad must have an independent evaluation service evaluate their foreign educational credentials. A course-by-course and grade point average equivalent evaluation are admission requirements. For information about evaluation services, contact the Office of Admissions. You must submit an official sealed evaluation report with your application once complete.
B. Official Translations: Documents submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by official translations.
C. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): The TOEFL or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test is required for international applicants whose primary language is not English. The scores must not be more than two years old. Send official score reports directly to the Office of Admissions by the Educational Testing Service. The Educational Testing Service institution code for submission of official score reports is 5025. Unofficial copies of the score report may be included with the application for initial review and evaluation. This does not replace the requirement of an official score report for those applicants who are offered admission.
Exception: International applicants who have attended another U.S. institution and completed freshman English Composition I and II with grades of “C” or higher do not need to completed the TOEFL.
D. Financial Guarantee: International applicants who wish to obtain an I-20 for F-1 visa must include financial documentation showing ability to finance tuition and living expenses for one year. Financial documents must have a current date and indicate available funds of US$25,000.
E. Visa Status: International applicants who are currently in the United States, must choose from one of the following categories to prove their current visa status:

  • Copy of I-20 and I-94 if on an F-1 visa
  • Copy of visa stamp and I-94 if on another type of visa
  • Copy of Resident Alien card (front and back) if classified as a Resident Alien

Learn more about our Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership program

Ready to take the next step?

Schedule your personalized admissions counseling appointment, or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 678.547.6417 or copa.admissions@mercer.edu for more information.