Admissions FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rice looking for in an applicant?

The Master of Social Policy Evaluation will evaluate all applicants holistically. There is no “magic formula” for the type of student who will excel in this program. We are looking for students who come from a variety of different academic and professional backgrounds, who are intrinsically motivated to build a career in policy evaluation.

What kind of job can I obtain with the MSPE?

Graduates of the MSPE will consider a variety of career opportunities in the public, nonprofit and private sectors. Example career opportunities may include, but are not limited to:

Senior Manager of Research and Evaluations (Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas) Program Evaluation Analyst (American Heart Association) Evaluation and Design Manager (Catholic Charities-Fort Worth) Research Specialist for Juvenile Justice Programs and Services (Texas Juvenile Justice Department)

Is there an application fee?

Yes, the program application fee is $85. At this time we do not offer application fee waivers.

Does the MSPE require a minimum GPA?

Rice University requires a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA for consideration for admission.

Is financial aid available?

At this time the MSPE does not provide any internal financial aid. Please review our resources here for potential external funding opportunities.

Are GRE/GMAT scores required for admission?

No, GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.

What is the application deadline?

The Early Decision deadline for fall 2024 applications is December 15, 2023 and the Regular Decision deadline for applications is February 15, 2024. Applicants are solely responsible for insuring all application materials are received by the deadline and will be notified when their application is complete.