The combined program allows you to finish your Bachelor of Arts (BA) in political science and simultaneously work on a Master of Arts in Public Affairs and Policy (MPP). You take graduate courses during your senior year which count toward both the BA and the MPP.

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 BA in political science. These include sub-field requirements, the minimum liberal arts and sciences graduation credit requirement, the residency requirement, the general education requirements, and a 400-level course that requires a major research or writing project. Second, you can take up to 12 graduate credits during your senior year which can be applied to the 36 credits needed for the BA in political science as well as the courses required for the MPP.

Graduate courses that may readily substitute for specific undergraduate courses include the following:

Finally, you must meet the requirements for the MPP, including 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

Of the 36 credits needed for a B.A. in political science, at least 18 must be taken in the Department of Political Science at the State University of New York at Albany.

You must have a 3.2 grade point average.

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 MPP or are ready to design a program, begin by contacting 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, contact the Department of Political Science, 518-442-5256