2010-2011 University Catalog 
  
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2010-2011 University Catalog

Public Administration, BS/Public Administration, Accelerated MPA

Web: pia.gmu.edu

Highly qualified Mason students doing a BS in public administration may apply to the accelerated master’s degree program. If accepted, students will be able to earn the BS and the MPA after satisfactory completion of 150 credits.

This program of study is offered by the Department of Public and International Affairs.

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog.

Application Requirements

Applicants to accelerated master’s programs must have completed at least 75 credits that apply to their undergraduate degree (with at least 24 credits at Mason) and no more than 90 credits. Applicants to the accelerated MPA program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.40.

Along with the Accelerated Master’s Program Application, available from the graduate programs office in the Department of Public and International Affairs, students submit two letters of recommendation (preferably from professors), and a résumé. The application includes the proposed conferral date for the undergraduate degree and the two graduate courses that are to be applied to the undergraduate degree.

Interested students should contact the department for more details about the application process.

Degree Requirements

While undergraduate students, accelerated master’s students complete the two graduate courses indicated on their Accelerated Master’s Program with a minimum grade of 3.00 in each course. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all coursework and in coursework applied to their major. On completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, they submit the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition Form and are admitted to graduate status.

As graduate students, accelerated master’s students have an advanced standing. They must meet all master’s degree requirements except for the two courses (6 credits) they completed as undergraduates. Students must begin their master’s program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree.

Reserve Graduate Credit

Students may take up to 6 additional graduate credits as reserve graduate credit. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree. The ability to take courses for reserve graduate credit is available to all high achieving undergraduates with the permission of the department. Permission to take a graduate course for reserve graduate credit is normally granted only to Mason seniors within 15 hours of graduation.

To apply these credits to the master’s degree, students must request that the credits be moved from the undergraduate degree to the graduate degree using the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition Form.