The combined program allows you to finish your B.A. in Public Policy and simultaneously work on a Master of Art in Public Affairs and Policy (MPP). You take graduate courses during your senior year which count toward both the B.A. and the M.P.P.

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 an MPP
The MPP program prepares students for careers as policy analysts and leaders in public service both in and out of government. The curriculum provides students with analytic and quantitative skills to frame policy issues, deal with their institutional and political contexts, and bring about effective action directed at the formulation, approval, implementation and evaluation of policy.

Program Requirements
Requirements for the combined program are straightforward. First, you must meet all the regular requirements for the B.A. in Public Policy. These include the Public Policy specialization, the minimum liberal arts and sciences graduation credit requirement, the residency requirement and the general education requirements.

Second, you can take up to three graduate courses during your senior year which can be applied to the credits needed for the B.A. in Public Policy, as well as the requirements for the MPP, which include completion of the minimum 44 graduate credit requirement, core and specialty courses, the internship experience, and master's essay.

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 submit three letters of recommendation from your undergraduate instructors.