Fast-Track BA/MAPP | Department of Political Science

Advantages of Completing an Accelerated BA/MA in Public Policy in 5 Years

Students can earn up to 6 graduate credits in their senior that can be applied to both degrees.
Upon admission, students can take two 500-level Grad courses that can be applied to upper-level undergrad elective requirements.
Save money by paying undergraduate tuition for graduate courses taken in your senior undergraduate career (limited to six credits).
No Application Fee.
No GRE or letters of recommendation required.
Master’s can be completed in two semesters as a full-time student.
Internship opportunities available to MAPP students.

Students must earn 80% of the credits required for a Graduate degree in their respective program of study during their Graduate Career (MAPP students must acquire at least 25 credits as a Graduate Student).

Next Steps

Fast-Track BA/MA Application

Enrollment Form

Policies and Procedures

1. The fast-track BA/MAPP is a Sequential Program which means that a student can apply to have their Bachelor's degree awarded before the completion of their Master's degree.
2. You may double count a limited number of graduate credits toward both degrees. The fast-track BA/MAPP allows 6 credits. It is your responsibility to understand the number of such credits allowed by your department. No undergraduate credits can count toward a graduate degree.

1. Students must apply and be admitted into the fast-track BA-MAPP program. Applicants must have completed 60 credits of coursework, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, in all college work. The application must be approved by the MA Policy program director.
2. An acceptance letter to the Accelerated Program is issued to the student.
3. When ready to begin taking graduate course(s) the student MUST fill out and submit the Permission for Undergraduate Students in an Accelerated Bachelor's/Masters Degree Program to Enroll in Graduate Courses form. This Google form must be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester. Failure to submit this form for each course will result in the Grad School not counting these credits toward your Master's Degree.

1. You must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. No student in the fast-track BA/MAPP program with a GPA below 3.0 will be accepted by the Graduate School.
2. You must consult with a financial aid officer. Once you enter the Graduate School you are no longer eligible for undergraduate financial aid.

1. Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the start of the semester. Applicants should apply in the last semester of their Junior year (or the semester prior to their last two remaining semesters).
2. There will be no conditional acceptances into the Graduate School under an the fast-track BA/MAPP program.
3. The fast-track BA/MAPP program has a graduate "residence" component: Students must earn 80% of the credits required for a Graduate degree in their respective program of study during their Graduate Career (i.e., if the Masters degree requires 30 credits, the student must acquire at least 25 credits as a Graduate Student).
4. Prior to entering the Graduate school, students pay undergraduate tuition on all courses taken; once a student enters the Graduate School they pay graduate tuition on all classes taken.
5. Students will need to fill out an application to the Graduate School (for fast-track BA/MAPP students, only) at least three weeks prior to the last day of your final undergraduate semester, ie, if you plan on graduating in May and entering the Grad School in the fall, your deadline is three weeks prior to your last day in May. It is best to get this in as early as possible. After it is signed by the graduate program director, students will receive a new letter accepting them into the Master’s program. This new letter and the application will be submitted to the Graduate School. Students will be notified by the Graduate School of their mandatory orientation session and enrollment information. Students will be considered a Graduate Student.

1. Any student who has filed a request for withdrawal from the fast-track BA/MAPP program will not be allowed to enter/re-enter the fast-track BA/MAPP program. To access the form, please click here.
2. Students who opt to withdraw from the fast-track BA/MAPP program can still complete a Bachelor's degree. However, only a limited number of graduate credits earned can be applied toward the undergraduate degree. Political Science allows 6 credits.