About
The MPPA accelerated program is designed for UTK undergraduates who wish to earn both their bachelor’s degree and the MPPA degrees within approximately five years. A qualified student may take up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate courses for their senior undergraduate electives and have them count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the MPPA degree. Students are typically considered for conditional admission to the program, during, or immediately after, their third year of undergraduate study at UTK.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for conditional admission to the MPPA program
- Minimum GPA of 3.4
- Completed at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate course work for the bachelor’s degree
Admissions Timline
Conditional admission of a student into the MPPA accelerated program must be obtained before taking a graduate course that is to be used to satisfy the requirements of both the bachelor’s degree and the MPPA degree. Students will be informed of the outcome of their application for conditional admission prior to the beginning of their fourth year of undergraduate study.
A student who is conditionally admitted to the MPPA accelerated program may, during his or her fourth year of undergraduate study, complete up to 9 credit hours of graduate credit that count towards the bachelor’s degree and towards the MPPA requirements, provided that these graduate credit hours were approved both by the Department head (or designee) and by the Graduate School prior to satisfying all requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Once Admitted to Program
Conditional admission into the MPPA accelerated program does not guarantee acceptance into either the Graduate School or the MPPA program. Students who have been conditionally admitted to the MPPA accelerated program must apply for admission to the Graduate School and to the MPPA program during their fourth year of undergraduate study, following the standard application procedure. Students will be fully admitted to the MPPA accelerated program after they have been accepted both by the Graduate School and by the MPPA program.
Once fully admitted to the MPPA program, accelerated students are required to complete the standard curriculum for the MPPA program.
Current Students
Skye Gerhart
The 4+1 BA/MPPA Program has given me the opportunity to get a head start on my graduate education at the undergraduate level. It has pushed me academically and given me the chance to further explore future career paths within public administration while also finishing up my undergraduate degree! This program truly has been the best of both worlds and I can’t wait to continue full time with the MPPA Program.
Lucas Johnson
The accelerated program at the Baker School has provided me with countless opportunities for personal and professional growth that I would not have otherwise found, and I am excited to continue my journey in the field of public administration.
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