How to apply for the UPenn Master of Applied Criminology and Police Leadership

The University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Applied Criminology and Police Leadership (MCPL) is an innovative, hybrid program designed for senior law enforcement leaders. This groundbreaking program focuses on integrating evidence-based policing with practical, actionable change projects to address modern policing challenges.

It is open to police leaders with substantive rank (generally lieutenant to chief) and at least five years' police service. It is also open to non-sworn managers working in some form of crime control role (for example intelligence managers).

The program does not have arduous entry requirements such as GRE exams and the like, however, entry is competitive because there is one small cohort in each year. So this blog post is a guide to getting your application in shape.

Preparation

While you don't need GRE test results, you will need to pull together a resume, the details of two recommenders, unofficial transcripts from your previous post-high school education, and have a credit card available for the $75 application fee.

• Recommenders: Have the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of TWO recommenders. We suggest one that can speak to your professional policing career, and one who can speak to your academic ability to undertake an Ivy League Master's degree course. You do not need their letters to apply, as UPenn will contact them to submit their recommendations directly. You just need their details. It is a good idea to tell them to expect an email because the system will contact them immediately.

• Resume: 2-3 pages should be sufficient, Use clean, conservative formatting—no graphics or design-heavy templates, avoid jargon overload; write so an academic reviewer can follow. Quantify wherever possible, and write in results-oriented language, not task-based language. Try and avoid patrol-level duty descriptions, generic leadership clichés (everyone is a “motivated team player”), or tactical detail with no strategic framing, Here are some possible headings.

• Essay question: Type up your response to the following question: 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). A strong answer is one that can demonstrate operational/decision-making credibility, show intellectual curiosity and awareness of evidence-based policing and why it is growing in importance, and make a clear case that graduate study is a logical next step for you—not a vague aspiration. Avoid generic responses such as “I want to improve policing”. Connect the ideas of evidence-based policing to your career is a good way to personalize the question such that it doesn't appear written by AI.

• Transcripts: To apply to the MCPL, you must submit transcripts of your academic work by uploading copies of unofficial transcripts through the online application system. We accept file formats .doc, .xls, .pdf and .txt. It is best to upload a copy of your official transcript, if you have it. Only if you are offered admission, will you then be required to provide official final transcripts.

• Test scores: Not needed! However, if you are not a native English speaker, we will require TOEFL/IELTS scores. If that is you, see this page.

Application time

Once you have your resume, transcripts, essay question written, and details of your recommenders, you are ready.

Set aside half an hour to go through the application process.

1. Go to the main MCPL page, scroll to the bottom and click Apply now >>

2. Assuming you are a first-time user, click “Create an account to start a new application”

3. Enter your email address, name, and birthdate and continue.

4. The system will send you an email with a link to activate your account. The email also contains a PIN.

5. Once you follow the link, and enter the PIN, you will create a password for the site.  

6. With that done, you have an account on the system. You can come and go if you need to do this in stages, or get interrupted.

Starting your application

1. In the system, you can now “Start New Application”

2. For application type, choose “University of Pennsylvania” and then “Penn LPS Application for Admission”.

3. Click ‘Create Application’. you should see a box that confirms you are applying to Penn LPS Application for Admission. If so, click 'Open Application'.

The application

You will see a pretty 'Welcome to Penn!' page.

1. At the bottom of the ‘Welcome to Penn!” page, click ‘Continue’

2. You will proceed through a couple of personal information pages. Once you have entered your details on each page, click ‘Continue’ at the bottom of each page.

Program selection page

At the Program Selection page, this is where you will choose the MCPL.

1. First, enter the highest level of education you have attained. You must do this to access next section.

2. A new box will ask you to select the type of program you are interested in attending. Select Master’s degree program.

3. Now the program information is available.

4. For Program Name* select ‘Master of Applied Criminology and Police Leadership’

5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and under term, choose: Entry Term* Fall 2026

6. Click Continue.

Resume and essay

The next page has a couple of affiliation questions and then space for you to upload a resume and space for you to upload the answer to a short question (called an essay question).

1. Upload a resume.

2. Upload your pre-written response to the essay question.

Recommenders

You then have pages to add your academic background and the names of two recommenders.

I suggest that you have one recommender who can speak to the breadth of your policing career, and one who can speak to your academic ability to undertake a Ivy League standard Masters degree.

Test scores page

The MCPL does NOT require and standardized test scores (such as GREs), so unless English is not your native language, you can skip this page.

Employment page

Enter the details of your police department or agency, and other relevant information.

Review

Once you have completed all of the requirements, the review page will highlight if anything is missing. If not, click continue and have a credit card handy for the $75 application fee.

Application review

Your application might be complete, but it won't be reviewable until your recommenders submit their letters. So please get in contact with them and let them know you have completed the application.

Good luck!