Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master of Public Administration
Reach your goals, faster. The Maxwell School is pleased to offer accelerated options for talented and motivated Maxwell students to begin taking graduate coursework towards a master of public administration (M.P.A.) degree during their senior year.
By overlapping your coursework between a bachelor’s and a master’s you will:
- Save money. Up to 12 credit hours can be applied to both an undergraduate and graduate degree, saving up to 30 percent of the tuition cost for the M.P.A. Students will be considered for additional merit scholarships upon completion of their bachelor’s degree.
- Earn valuable internship experience. Students in the accelerated program are able to complete a professional internship during their graduate studies to provide real world, hands-on experience that enhances their resume.
- Start early and create opportunities. Students in the accelerated program can take a reduced course load during their graduate studies compared to students in the traditional 12-month program. They can also complete an internship or add a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) demonstrating specialized training or expertise.
Program Overview
Syracuse University undergraduate students whose home college is Arts & Sciences/Maxwell and who have a declared major in one of the following areas can apply to the accelerated program once they have completed 75 credit hours towards their bachelor’s degree—typically in the spring semester of their junior year.
- Anthropology (B.A.)
- Citizenship & Civic Engagement (B.A.)
- Economics (B.A.)
- Geography (B.A.)
- History (B.A.)
- International Relations (B.A. or B.S.)
- Policy Studies (B.A.)
- Political Science (B.A.)
- Sociology (B.A.)
Please see the Course Catalog for a complete list of academic offerings and their requirements.
We’re here to help.
Requirements
All regular requirements for the student’s undergraduate major along with the minimum 120 credit hours necessary to meet College of Arts and Sciences requirements must be satisfied.
The M.P.A. degree requires 40 credits, as outlined on the M.P.A. Curriculum page. However, up to four courses (12 credit hours) can be counted towards both the bachelor’s and the M.P.A. degrees. Please
consult the Syracuse University Course Catalog for complete program requirements and offerings.
Any 500-, 600- or 700-level PAI course is eligible for dual credit, excluding 752: M.P.A. Workshop and PAI 753: Policy Leadership, which together constitute the capstone experience required for the M.P.A., and will not be open to undergraduate students who have not fully matriculated into the M.P.A. program.
Sample Plan of Study
Below is a sample plan of study that allows a student to complete the B.A. and M.P.A. degrees in five years. The plan assumes that a student will complete between 9 and 12 credit hours that count towards both the bachelor’s and M.P.A.
degrees during their fourth year. Which courses are taken in year five depend on which courses are selected during year four.
The sample plan of study below lays out one potential path, others are possible. Students who arrive at Syracuse University with substantial AP credit may be able to complete both degrees in four years.
Year Four
Students take three or four PAI courses at the 500-, 600-, or 700-level that counts for both degrees.
Summer Between Years Four and Five
Students be able to do a summer internship under PAI 690, which is a variable credit course. The number of credits earned depends on the length of the internship.
Students will also participate in PAI 751: M.P.A. Colloquium, which is a one credit course that takes place during summer session II.
Year Five Fall and Spring
Students will take seven to eight graduate level courses (21 to 24 credit hours) to count toward the M.P.A. degree during the fall and spring semesters. Up to two of these course
(6 credits) may be taken outside the Department of Public Administration and International Affairs.
Year Five Summer Session I
PAI 752: M.P.A. Workshop
PAI 753: Policy Leadership
Accelerated B.A./M.P.A. Application Checklist and Deadlines
Application Deadline
Students should apply once they have earned at least 75 credits towards their bachelor’s degree – typically three semesters before graduation – to be able to maximize the benefits of the accelerated program. We operate on a rolling admission schedule so students can apply at any time during the year as long as they meet the eligibility requirement of having 75 credits earned towards their B.A./B.S.
Application Criteria
Student applications that show evidence of sufficient preparation in writing skills and quantitative analysis will have a greater chance of being admitted to the program. The preferred way to demonstrate this competence is by completing a “writing intensive” course and a course that requires quantitative analysis with a grade of B or better prior to applying. Examples of such courses include, but are not limited to, MAX 123, MAX 132 and MAX 201.
Application Materials
- Completed graduate application
- Personal statement
- Résumé (preferred) or CV
- Two letters of recommendation: at least one from current or former professors; at least one from someone in your Maxwell academic department (e.g., an advisor, professor or program director)
- Transcripts from any coursework taken outside of Syracuse University: Unofficial transcripts may be submitted with the application; however, if admitted, official transcripts will be required in order to enroll.
- Not required: application fee, GRE, TOEFL
Financial Aid
Students are considered for merit-based financial aid upon completion of their undergraduate program. Support may come in the form of:
- Scholarships
- Federal and state loans and grants
- Part-time employment
To be considered for merit-based financial assistance from Syracuse University, simply check the appropriate box on your application for admission.
