Accelerated BS to MPA
The Accelerated B.S. to MPA (or 4+1 Program) is a combined bachelor-master degree program that provides high-achieving students an opportunity to complete a bachelor's and master's degree in less time than would be required if the two degrees were done independently. Participants can graduate with a Master of Public Administration degree in one calendar year after completing the B.S. in Public Administration and Public Policy. Students also take 12 graduate-level credits at undergraduate tuition rates. Interested students are eligible to apply if they have a minimum 3.2 overall GPA after completing at least six required undergraduate public administration courses.
For more information on this program, contact the MPA program coordinator via email at [email protected] or advisers in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office.
Public Administration and Public Policy B.S.
46 credits total
| Core Requirements: 16 Credits | Credits |
|---|---|
| PS 1100 Introduction to American Politics | 4 credits |
| PS 1600 Issues in World Politics or PS 1400 Comparative Politics | 4 credits |
| PS 2500 The Research Process in Political Science | 4 credits |
| PS 2550 Data Analysis in Political Science | 4 credits |
| Departmental Courses: 18 Credits | Credits |
|---|---|
| PS 2800 Public Affairs Careers Orientation | 2 credits |
| PS 3310 American Public Policy | 4 credits |
| PS 3315 Public Administration Financial Analysis | 4 credits |
| PS 4030 Government and the Economy | 4 credits |
| PS 4950 Public Administration Internship | 4 credits |
| Graduate Courses: 12 Credits | Credits |
|---|---|
| PA 5100 Foundations of Public Administration (replaces PS 3305) | 3 credits |
| PA 5200 Public Sector Budgeting and Finance (replaces PS 3320) | 3 credits |
| PA 5300 Public Sector Human Resource Management (replaces PS 3325) | 3 credits |
| Graduate-Level PA Elective Course | 3 credits |
Students with a minimum overall GPA of 3.20 and who have completed at least 6 of the 9 courses in the Public Administration and Public Policy undergraduate major may apply to the Accelerated BS to MPA (4 + 1) program. Qualified applicants will be given a delayed admission to the MPA program (full, formal admission will not take place until the student successfully completes their undergraduate degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher).
Students admitted into the Accelerated BS to MPA (4 + 1) program continue their undergraduate degree with the substitution of 4 graduate courses as shown below (please note that students must be accepted into the 4 + 1 program before taking any graduate level courses):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| PA 5100 – Foundations of Public Administration (replaces PS 3305) |
3 credits |
| PA 5200 – Public Budgeting and Finance (replaces PS 3320) |
3 credits |
| PA 5300 – Human Resources Management in the Public Sector (replaces PS 3325) |
3 credits |
| Graduate-Level PA Elective Course | 3 credits |
| 46 credits – BS degree completed |
If 4 + 1 program student has successfully graduated with a BS degree and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, they are fully admitted to the graduate MPA program. Classes to be completed are:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| PA 5020 – Intro to Government and Nonprofit Accounting | 2 credits |
| PA 6100 – Quantitative Methods in Public Administration | 3 credits |
| PA 6200 – Public Sector Information Systems Management | 3 credits |
| PA 6300 – Program and Policy Evaluation | 3 credits |
| Electives | 9 credits |
| Capstone – PA 6950 or PA 6996 | 4 credits |
| *Plus 12 credits double counted (taken while in undergrad) | 12 credits |
| 36 credits – MPA degree completed |
Note: Students must be aware that two summers are included in the year to complete the MPA degree. Specialized electives rotate every other year and may not be offered during the 1 year remaining to complete the MPA degree. Based on a student's individual choice of electives, an additional class during their undergraduate years may be required. In this case, the extra elective will not count toward the undergraduate degree and the student will be charged the tuition difference at the time the course is transferred to their graduate degree.
Political Science
Political Science