Applicants should be senior police personnel (civilian and uniform) with at least five years of experience, looking to understand and apply modern theoretical and research findings in applied criminology and policing to their professional practice.
The program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
Master of Applied Criminology and Police Leadership application deadlines
Applications for the Master of Applied Criminology and Police Leadership program are accepted for fall enrollment only. Note that Penn LPS does not offer an admission deferral option; please be sure to apply to the term for which you plan to begin your studies. Due to recent concerns and potential delays in obtaining visas, admitted students experiencing difficulties are encouraged to contact their program’s staff. Programs are actively working with students to explore available options for beginning their studies.
Your application, including all supporting documents, must be received by the following deadline:
| Term of Entry |
Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | July 15, 2026 |
Application materials checklist
Since all required supporting documents are submitted through the online application system, hardcopy material other than official transcripts or letters of recommendation will not be accepted.* Please urge your recommenders to submit their letters through the online system.
*Unsolicited material will not be used for review.
Applications must contain all of the following in order to be considered complete:
- Completed online application
- Current resume
- Nonrefundable $75 application fee
- A personal essay: Explain your interest in learning about evidence-based policing, your motivation for pursuing a graduate education, and how the program aligns with your professional goals. (750 word limit)
- Unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary school attended must be uploaded through the online application system
- Two letters of recommendation—one from a current employer and another from a former employer, academy instructor, or academic mentor (see below)
- TOEFL scores, if applicable (see below)
After a complete application is received and reviewed, candidates under serious consideration are invited to interview with a member of the admissions committee. Interview invitations are typically sent out within a few weeks of a submitted and completed application.
Letters of recommendation
Recommenders submit two letters of recommendation through the online application.
International transcripts from institutions outside the United States
Applicants who have attended a college or university outside the US are required to have a course-by-course credential evaluation (with grade point average and course levels) performed by an outside evaluation service. The course-by-course credential evaluation is required even if your international college or university is affiliated with a US institution. You do not need to have a transcript evaluation done for a university which was attended for only one semester as an exchange student. Credential evaluations will be reviewed by our administrators, and the determination of degree equivalency to US degrees is at the discretion of the College of Liberal and Professional Studies.
TOEFL/IELTS
A strong command of the English language is necessary for successful study at Penn. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores to demonstrate English proficiency. Please note that the TOEFL is rarely waived; therefore, we encourage applicants to take the test to avoid delays in completing the application. The minimum TOEFL scores required for admissions consideration are: 100 (iBT), 250 (CBT), or 600 (PBT). The TOEFL must be sent from ETS using the institutional code 2986. To locate a testing site near you or schedule an exam, visit the TOEFL website. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also accepted and the minimum score for consideration is a 7. You may upload a copy of your IELTS test to the standardized test score section of the application.
IELTS/TOEFL waivers will not be considered until an applicant has submitted their application and all of their supporting documents have arrived and been processed. Do not email with requests before applying; due to high volume we will not be able to respond to your request. Please read all of the admissions requirements very carefully and follow all directions.
Please note, the College of Liberal and Professional Studies is accepting at-home GRE and TOEFL test scores. Visit the specific standardized testing websites for exam options in your home country.
Upon review of an applicant's file, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to request TOEFL scores.
