Applying: Graduate Certificates REQUEST MORE INFO PROGRAM FAQS About News Not fake news: Major study finds no "liberal bias" in media — but there are other problems Applying to Graduate Certificates Applying to the Master of Public Policy Applying to the Accelerated Master of Public Policy Applying to Dual Degree Programs International Applicants Applying to Graduate Certificates Application Information Batten’s graduate certificates are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. Students complete twelve credits for a certificate, and courses taken in our certificate programs can be applied towards the full MPP in the future. All application materials for admission must be submitted by the corresponding deadline by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. In this moment, ethical, resilient, solutions-oriented policy leaders are needed more than ever. Batten is committed to fostering an intellectual community that is innovative, inclusive, and equitable. In this spirit, the application fee has been waived for all applicants to Batten programs. A walkthrough of the Public Policy Certificate application can be found here, and the walkthrough of the Public Leadership Certificate application can be found here. Join the Charge APPLY NOW ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Students with an undergraduate degree by the time of matriculation Admissions contact Jeff Chidester Executive Director of External Affairsjchidester@virginia.edu Spring 2025 Semester Application Deadline: January 1, 2025 Decisions Released: Rolling Basis Deposit Deadline: January 8, 2025 Fall 2025 Semester Application Deadline: August 1, 2025 Decisions Released: Rolling Basis Deposit Deadline: August 8, 2025 Application Materials Online Application All supplemental materials (e.g. unofficial transcripts) must be submitted by the date of the official deadline. Your application may be completed online and submitted electronically once you have answered all the required questions. You do not have to complete the online application in one sitting – you may access your application and change your answers as many times as you like. To do that, use the Username and Password that you created when you first completed the Interest Page and/or started your application. Resume or Curriculum Vitae You will be prompted to upload this document in the online application. A Word or PDF document is recommended. One Mandatory Essay Graduate Certificate in Public Leadership What is the motivation behind your decision to pursue a Batten Graduate Certificate in Public Leadership? What work, activity, or educational experience has best equipped you for graduate studies in this field? (500 words) Graduate Certificate in Public Policy What is the motivation behind your decision to pursue a Batten Graduate Certificate in Public Policy? What work, activity, or educational experience has best equipped you for graduate studies in this field? (500 words) Unofficial Transcripts Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded directly to your online application. Should you gain acceptance to a graduate certificate program, a required official transcript will be requested at that time. Optional Application Addendum There is no penalty for not submitting an application addendum! However, some applicants may have additional information that would be useful for the admissions committee to consider. Feel free to amplify the positive dimensions of your background that are not covered in other parts of this application. Similarly, you may wish to put some seemingly negative information in your application into context. Please format this application addendum as a letter to the admissions committee, not to exceed one page. In-State Tuition Status If you believe you qualify for in-state tuition, you must apply directly with UVA’s Office of Virginia Status using the following form. If you have any questions, please email vastatus@virginia.edu. Their office will be in communication with the Batten School once they have reviewed your residency application. If you do not complete this application, you will be considered a non-Virginia resident. Optional Test Scores The Batten School has removed the standardized test requirement for graduate programs. If you have already taken the GRE, you are welcome to submit your scores if you believe they provide another useful data point for your application. Please direct your unofficial scores to BattenAdmissions@virginia.edu, and we will attach it to your application. International Applicants Any applicants whose primary language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS examination. International students who attended a primarily English-speaking University for their baccalaureate degree will be exempt from submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores. A TOEFL or IELTS score cannot be more than two years old. Any applicant who receives below 100 on the TOEFL or below 7 on the IELTS will be required to take the Duolingo English Test (DET) and receive a score of at least 120. Additionally, some students may be required to video conference with the Office of Admissions.