Rockefeller College Department of Public Administration and Policy

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Mailing Address:
135 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12222

Phone: 518-442-5255
Fax: 518-442-5298

Combined Programs

BA or BS in Economics/MPA

The combined program allows you to finish your B.A./B.S. in economics and simultaneously work on a master's in public administration. You take graduate courses during your senior year which count toward both the B.A. and the M.P.A.

The Advantages

You can be admitted to graduate school during your junior year, without taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). You can complete a master's degree more quickly. The combined program should allow you to finish the master's degree in about one-and-a-half years after completing the bachelor's degree.

Why a Master's in Public Administration?

A master's in public administration will help you develop a wide range of job possibilities. Long-term prospects for jobs in federal, state, and local governments and non-profit organizations remain strong. Here's what some of our graduates are doing: Budget Examiner, Executive Office of the President Evaluator, U.S. General Accounting Office Project Director, Nutrition Consortium of New York State Environmental Associate, Environmental Planning Lobby.

The University's program in public administration has a national reputation. It provides excellent training in public administration in various specialized fields. Concentrations include Public Management, Public Finance, Human Resources Management, Policy Analysis, Health Administration, Information Resources Management, and Comparative and Development Administration Legislative Administration.

Further, students in our program get practical job experience by serving in an internship in a state agency, legislative office, public interest group, or non-profit organization.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the combined program are straightforward. First, you must meet all the regular requirements for the B.A. or B.S. in economics. Second, you can take up to twelve graduate credits during your senior year that can be applied to the 36 credits needed for the B.A. in economics or to the 41 credits needed for the B.S. in economics. Third, you must meet the course requirements for the M.P.A., which include 11 courses and two Professional Applications Modules. Finally, students must complete a career experience requirement through an internship or employment. Students in this combined program usually substitute an alternative course for PAD 503: Public Economics and Finance I.

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Sample Program

Here is one example of a program that meets all the requirements.
Please remember that this is just a sample. You have a great deal of flexibility
to design a program that fits your interests.
First Year
Eco110M Principles of Economics I: Microeconomics* Eco111M Principles of Economics II: Macroeconomics *
Second Year
Eco 300 Intermediate Theory I: Microeconomics* Eco 301 Intermediate Theory II: Macroeconomics Eco 320 Economic Statistics*
Third Year
Four electives in economics
Fourth Year
Two graduate courses in economics Pad 500 Institutions Foundations of Public Administration*
Fifth and Sixth Years
You will take (or, where eligible, waive and substitute electives for) the five remaining public administration core courses, three Professional Competency Modules, plus three courses in your selected concentration. During the sixth year, you complete a one year internship. Core Classes Pad 501 Public Economics and Finance II Pad 503 Public Economics and Finance I Pad 504 Data, Models, and Decision Making I Pad 505 Data, Models, and Decision Making II Pad 506 Foundations of Public Management Professional Competency Modules Pad 507 Professional Applications I * Pad 508 Professional Applications II * Pad 509 Professional Applications III *

*Required

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Combined Program Admission

The best time to apply is during your junior year. You can apply after you have completed 56 credit hours.

Admission Requirements :

You must have a 3.2 grade point average.
You should have satisfied the requirements for admission to the economics major.
You should submit three letters of recommendation from your undergraduate instructors.

Note: You do not need to take the GRE.

To Apply

For complete instructions please go to the Admissions page.

For More Information
If you have questions about the M.P.A. or are ready to design a program, call the Interim Assistant to the Chair, Kara Pangburn at, 518-442-5396, email kpangburn@uamail.albany.edu. For answers about how this will affect your undergraduate program, call 518-442-4760.

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