AAAS/MPA COMBINED DEGREE

The department offers students the opportunity to complete both a bachelor of arts (BA) and a master of public administration (MPA) in five (5) years. In order to qualify for the combined degree, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. In addition:

• Prior to their senior year, students must complete 96 credits that meet all of the undergraduate requirements, including Writing and General Education plus all but 12 credits needed for the major. During the senior year, students will complete 12 credits in the major and the remaining 20 credits needed for the undergraduate degree, which will be satisfied by graduate level MPA coursework.
  
  
• Students should apply for the combined degree program no later than the beginning of the junior year, and admission decisions for the combined-degree program will be made no later than spring of the junior year. Application and admissions processes are through the Department of Public Administration and the Graduate School. Upon acceptance to the program, students will need to successfully complete the BA in year four (including all General Education and major requirements); a “B” or better in all graduate courses; and satisfactory demonstration of skill and competency before placement in internships.
  
  
• Once admitted, the student must take 20 credits of course work in the Department of Public Administration program during their senior year. These double-count as undergraduate elective credits and MPA credits. That work constitutes the baccalaureate degree.
  
  
• The fifth year is devoted to graduate coursework to complete the master's degree. All requirements of the master's program must be met, including maintaining a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for graduate work.

Additional information about this fast-track BA-MPA program is available on the Combined Degrees page on the CCPA website.