Accelerated Master of Public Administration Degree (BA/MPA or BS/MPA)
Students earning a combined Bachelor’s and Master of Public Administration degree graduate ready for a career position in only five years.
The Accelerated Master of Public Administration Degree (BA/MPA or BS/MPA) degree at Rutgers SPAA provides qualified students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking up to 18 credits (six courses) of the MPA program as an undergraduate student.
The accelerated program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to build career options into their undergraduate curriculum. The program is especially relevant to Public and Nonprofit Administration majors, but it is also suitable and applicable for students from all undergraduate disciplines.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Rutgers SPAA provides the cutting-edge knowledge and professional skills needed for successful careers in government, the nonprofit sector, international organizations, and even the corporate world. Students become competent in leadership and management, the policy process, evidence-based decision-making, public service values, and interacting productively with a diverse workforce and society.
Accelerated MPA Quick Facts
- Program: 5-year bachelor’s and master's dual degree program
- Location: on campus, 100% Online, or hybrid
- Courses: 6 graduate courses taken during undergraduate study, at undergraduate level tuition rate (if taken during fall and spring semesters)
- Application Deadline: undergraduate junior year
- MPA Program Director: Suzanne Piotrowski, PhD
Curriculum
Once accepted into the 42-credit MPA degree program, students take 18 credits (six courses) of graduate MPA courses during their senior undergraduate year. This program satisfies the undergraduate second concentration requirement (must complete 18 credits).
Coursework
As undergraduates, students take six (6) MPA courses, including two (2) MPA program electives, as follows:
- Principles of Public Administration & Democratic Governance (3)
- Human Resources Management (3)
- Ethical Challenges in Public Affairs (3)
- Economics for Public Administration (3)
- MPA Program Elective I (3)
- MPA Program Elective II (3)
DOWNLOAD: Recommended Accelerated Bachelor's/MPA Academic Plan
Tuition Rates
MPA courses taken as an undergraduate in the fall and spring semesters are charged at the undergraduate level tuition rate and are double-counted for undergraduate and graduate credits.
Accelerated MPA students are limited to fall and spring semesters only. Students are eligible to take summer and winter sections once they become graduate students. Students are not considered to be graduate students until they officially apply and are accepted into the MPA program and graduate with their bachelor's degree. Students who take graduate courses during the summer and/or winter sessions will be charged the graduate level tuition rate.
After receiving their undergraduate degree, students continue with the Master of Public Administration degree, taking MPA graduate courses until completing the required 42 credit hours for the MPA degree. Post-undergraduate degree credits carry the graduate level tuition rate.
For More Information
To learn more, Request Information or Join a SPAA Info Session. If you have questions about a program or the application process, contact Aaron Gibbs, associate dean of student and academic services, at algibbs@rutgers.edu.
Academic Policies, Procedures & Forms
For MPA program information such as the student handbook, mission statement, and advisement forms, see Academic Policies, Procedures & Forms.