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. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, please contact us at lps@sas.upenn.edu to discuss possible pathways into the program.
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.
Your application, including all supporting documents, must be received by the following deadline:
| Term of Entry |
Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | June 1, 2025 |
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.
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.
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.
