Accelerated Combined Degrees
This accelerated combined degree program allows students to complete two degrees in just five academic years.
- BA or BS in Political Science
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Students receive the same benefits of both curriculums and move seamlessly from the undergraduate program to graduate studies. You will save time and money, as well as jump-start your career.
Admission Requirements
SIUE undergraduate students who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Major in political science
- Earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher by the end of the third year
- GPA must be maintained through completion of undergraduate studies
- Complete 88 credit hours toward the bachelor's degree
How to Apply
- Submit a graduate admission application and pay the $40 application fee. Apply to the term in which you plan to begin the combined bachelor's and graduate courses.
- After submitting your application, complete the "plan of study" form with approval from your undergraduate advisor and graduate program director.
- Submit all other required graduate admission application materials, including:
- Three letters of recommendation to the MPA program. Letters are to come from undergraduate instructors of the student with two of the letters coming from full-time, tenure-track faculty of courses taken in the junior year of studies.
- An essay of 750-1,000 words expressing the reason(s) for seeking the MPA degree, detailing the relationship between the student's career aspirations and the MPA program, and discussing how at least three of the MPA elective courses pertain to those aspirations.
Full matriculation in the MPA program is completed only upon successful completion of six hours of MPA graduate coursework taken in the undergraduate senior year and recommendation of the MPA program director or department chair. In the absence of the MPA program director, the MPA graduate program committee may provide this recommendation.
Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at graduateadmissions@siue.edu with questions regarding the application process.
Sample Curriculum
Upon admittance, students will take two MPA courses (or six credits) during their senior year of study, which will count toward the completion of the MPA degree and the BA or BS in political science. Courses must include: PAPA 500 (Proseminar in Public Administration) and either PAPA 501 (Public Organizations) or PAPA 550 (Public Policy).
Following the fourth year and graduation with a bachelor's in political science, students must complete the remaining MPA program requirements to obtain the MPA degree, which may include a professional internship (worth three credit hours). Students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in their senior year and cannot receive a grade lower than B in the graduate courses taken toward the MPA degree in the senior year of study. Once students move from conditional to normal admission in the MPA program, the regular requirements of the MPA program will be followed.
Senior Year (Fall Semester)
(3) POLS 300
(3) Upper-Level POLS Elective
(6) Undergraduate Courses
(3) PAPA 500 - shared credit
15 Total Credits
Senior Year (Spring Semester)
(3) POLS 400
(6) Upper-Level POLS Electives
(3) Undergraduate Courses
(3) PAPA 501 or PAPA 550 - shared credit
15 Total Credits
Online Graduate Option
The accelerated pathway allows the MPA to be completed within 12 months for students electing to complete MPA classes in an online format once they have graduate student status.
Summer Semester
(3) PAPA 420 Quantitative Analysis
(6) Electives
9 Total Credits
Fall Semester
(3) PAPA 501 or PAPA 550 (class not taken as POLS elective)
(6) Electives
(3) PAPA 530 Public Budgeting
12 Total Credits
Spring Semester
(3) PAPA 510 Public Information Management
(6) Electives
(3) PAPA 540 Public Personnel
12 Total Credits
Courses may also be taken in the winter and May sessions as available and to lighten the student's course load if desired.
Students completing the senior year of a bachelor's in political science leading to the accelerated pathway into an MPA program but not wanting to take all online classes will be able to complete the MPA program within an 18 month timeframe. Additionally, students may take up to six years to complete the MPA program. The six-year clock begins with the first class taken for credit within the MPA program.
Transfer
Coursework completed at regionally accredited institutions will be evaluated upon admission to the University. Results of transfer credit evaluations are available to students through CougarNet.
For more information regarding transferring to SIUE, please visit the transfer website.
