In applying to the M.P.A. degree program, which is fully accredited by the National
Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the student
must follow the regular application procedures for admission to the M.P.A. program,
except that he/she must:
- achieve a cumulative GPA that is 3.2 or above by the end of his/ her third year;
- have transferred no more than 18 credits to the University, and
- submit three letters of recommendation from his/her undergraduate instructors, two
of which must be from full-time political science or sociology faculty.
Full matriculation in the M.P.A. degree program is completed only upon the recommendation
of the Graduate Admissions Committee of the M.P.A. program.
Students accepted into this program follow the academic program prescribed by their
majors in consultation with their advisers (including the core requirements in Arts
and Sciences and the requirements of their majors) during the first three years. If
accepted into this program, students may take a maximum of four M.P.A. courses (12
credits) during their senior years, which count toward the completion of the bachelor’s
degree.
At the end of the fourth year and upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits, students
in the program receive a Bachelor of Arts degree. If the student wants to complete
the five-year B.A./M.P.A. degree, twelve of those credits must come from the core
courses of the graduate public administration program. During the fifth year, 27 additional
M.P.A. credits, which include a 3-credit internship, must be completed. It is highly
recommended that students wishing to complete both degrees in the five year time frame
take at least two Summer courses after their fourth year.