Description
This combined degree program enables students to complete their bachelors in political science and master of public administration degree in an accelerated fashion, in as little as five years. When qualified Brockport undergraduate political science majors are admitted to this combined degree program, they may take up to 12 graduate credits of coursework in public administration, all at the undergraduate tuition rate. These credits may apply to undergraduate and graduate degree requirements simultaneously. Upon finishing all undergraduate degree requirements and graduating in good academic standing in the combined degree program, students matriculate directly into the master of public administration program.
Admission to the Program
Admission to this highly selective combined degree program is restricted to Brockport political science students who have:
- completed at least 54 undergraduate credits
- a cumulative Brockport GPA of at least 3.0
Qualified students interested in this combined degree program should speak with their undergraduate faculty advisor before submitting the online application.
Applications include:
- General personal information
- Statement of purpose
- At least one letter of recommendation from a Brockport political science professor
Program Requirements
Taking Graduate Classes as a Combined Degree Student
Once admitted to this combined degree program, undergraduate students can take up to 12 graduate credits of coursework in public administration at the undergraduate tuition rate.
Students must complete the 5 required courses (15 credits) for the Political Science Major:
- PLS 111 - International Relations
- PLS 112 - Comparative Politics
- PLS 113 - American Politics
- PLS 203 - Political Thought
- PLS 303 - Political Research Methods
Required Upper Division Courses (12 credits):
- PLS 312 Intro to Public Administration
- ONE of the following courses:
- PLS 318 State and Local Government
- PLS 412 Public Policy: Values, Means & Methods
- TWO other Upper Division PLS electives (6 credits). Students can opt to take a 6 credit Local Government Internship (PLS 401) to satisfy these credit requirements.
- THREE graduate public administration courses can, by advisement, fulfill the remaining PLS electives
When combined degree students have fulfilled all requirements for their political science major and their undergraduate degree, they may no longer take graduate courses at undergraduate tuition rate. Furthermore, no more than 12 graduate credits taken as undergraduates at Brockport can transfer into their graduate degree program and fulfill its course requirements.
Maintaining Good Academic Standing in the Program
Combined degree students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to remain in good academic standing in the program.
Students who are dismissed or choose to dematriculate from the combined degree program, can complete outstanding requirements for the undergraduate major and degree. If such a student subsequently applies for the graduate program, those credits may be transferred to fulfill graduate degree requirements.
Matriculation into the Graduate Program
When undergraduate students in good academic standing in this combined degree program graduate from Brockport, they are eligible to automatically matriculate into the master of public administration program. All Brockport graduate academic policies will then apply to them.