BA/MPP FAQ. What IS the Joint BA/MPP Program?

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1 What IS the Joint BA/MPP Program? BA/MPP FAQ The joint BA/MPP program allows strong undergraduates in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) to obtain both their BA and their Master of Public Policy (MPP) degrees in less time and at less cost than it would take to earn both degrees independently. Students in the program take graduate public policy courses in the School of Public Policy in what would normally be their senior year and apply up to 18 of those credits to both their BA and their MPP degree. Independently, a BA requires at least 120 credits of undergraduate coursework, while an MPP requires 48 credits at the graduate level. This comes to a total of 168 credits when the degrees are earned separately. Through the joint BA/MPP program, students are able to earn both degrees with as few as 150 credits. In the process, they obtain an unusually rich education in both the liberal arts and public policy. What is the School of Public Policy? The School of Public Policy is a graduate professional school that offers master s degrees in Public Policy and Public Management, Ph. D. in Policy Studies, and a bachelor s degree in Public Policy. The School s educational mission is to enhance democratic policy processes and outcomes in the nation and the world by preparing current and future policy professionals for leadership positions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. The heart and strength of the School is its faculty of leading scholars and scholarpractitioners who understand and influence both the theory of policy and real-world policies. The School also benefits from its location next door to the nation s capital and a nationally acclaimed curriculum that prepares students to work comfortably and effectively in all sectors and at all levels from the local to the international arena. The school gives students the opportunity to study a wide range of topic areas, and provides students with a sophisticated, in-depth understanding of domestic and international problems. What is the Master of Public Policy degree?

2 Graduates with a Master of Public Policy degree have a deep understanding of the key economic and political forces that shape our world and how to design and implement policies that harness those forces for the public good. All students study statistics, political institutions, and the moral dimensions of public policy, microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance, management and leadership. Students then specialize in such areas as environmental policy, social policy, international security and economic policy, or management, finance and leadership. Altogether, the program consists of 48 credits of graduate level work. Most students also choose to do an internship during their studies. Graduates of the School s programs usually have little difficulty securing excellent positions in the government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private corporations of their choice and are often heavily recruited. What are the BENEFITS of entering the BA/MPP program? Students in the BA/MPP program: Earn a Bachelor s degree through one of the following outstanding policy-related majors in BSOS o African American Studies o Government and Politics o Anthropology o Psychology o Criminology and Criminal Justice o Sociology o Economics o Geography Earn a Master s degree in Public Policy from one of the top-ranked programs in the country Obtain an MPP up to one year earlier than if they earned the BA and MPP degrees independently Complete both degrees at substantially less cost than if taken individually Ensure entrance to graduate school while completing undergraduate studies Gain access to the extensive School of Public Policy career and internship services as undergraduate students Hear and meet outstanding policy leaders and scholars How does the joint BA/MPP program make it possible to complete a 48 credit-hour Master s degree with only one additional year of school? The BA/MPP program enables you to double-count 18 credits, so you are only adding 30 credits to your overall program. These 30 credits can be completed in one year by taking 12 credits in both the fall and spring semesters and 6 credits are typically completed in the summer or winter terms.

3 How is the BA/MPP program less expensive than the two programs taken together? First, because the BA/MPP program enables you to double-count up to 18 graduate credits, you will pay for 18 fewer credits. Better yet, the tuition for the double-counted graduate credits is charged at undergraduate rates. The net effect is that you will save up to 18 credits of graduate-level tuition. This would save you thousands of dollars as an instate student, and even more as an out-of-state student. Books and other direct expenses associated with those 18 credits would probably cost at least another $800. Second, because you will probably be at the university up to one year less than you would if you took the two programs separately, you will save hundreds of dollars in university fees and, most importantly, begin to earn a professional-level salary up to a year earlier than you would have otherwise. From what part of my studies does the 18 credit reduction come? The reduction of 18 credits comes entirely from your undergraduate studies. The first 18 credits of graduate courses you take in the School of Public Policy double-count as undergraduate electives and, in some majors, as supporting courses. In all other respects, students in the BA/MPP program must fulfill all the normal BA degree requirements (including CORE and BSOS major requirements) and all MPP degree requirements, Students in the BA/MPP program must also complete as part of their undergraduate credits a suitable mathematics or statistics course. Who s eligible for the program? Students are eligible to apply when they are within two months of completing at least 60 credits with a cumulative 3.5 GPA Have received a combined SAT (verbal plus math) score of at least 1270 Students who plan to pursue a BSOS major (Afro-American Studies, Anthropology, Criminology & Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, Government & Politics, Psychology, or Sociology) Students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to public service via involvement with policy-oriented organizations or individual efforts. What are the application requirements? Application Statement of Purpose Three letters of recommendation (at least two from faculty members) Latest transcript SAT scores if verbal plus math scores total at least 1270, otherwise GRE scores must be submitted Resume Audit from BSOS (Academic/Departmental Advisor)

4 When should I apply to the BA/MPP program? You may apply for the BA/MPP program at any time after you have completed 60 undergraduate credits. The sooner you are admitted, the greater chance you will have to double-count a full 18 credits of graduate coursework. You will be better able to complete your required undergraduate courses in your junior year, thus maximizing the benefit of the program to you. Early admission into the BA/MPP program will also enable you to take greater advantage of the School of Public Policy career and internship services and speaker series. What is the procedure for applying to the BA/MPP program? Begin by making an appointment with the BSOS BA/MPP Academic Advisor, Lindsey Winter (lmrodkey@umd.edu). The Joint BA/MPP application is available here. The application will ask for background information on you, a description of your prior involvement with policy-oriented organizations and issues, and a statement about your career plans. The application needs to be submitted in hard copy by mail or in person to: School of Public Policy BA/MPP University of Maryland 3111 Van Munching Hall College Park, MD If you did not receive at least 1270 (combined verbal + math scores) on the SAT, you will need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). There is no required GRE minimum score. You will also be asked to submit letters of recommendation from at least two members of the UMD faculty. The 3rd letter can also be faculty or a professional reference. Your application will be processed as soon as we have all the requested information and you have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits. If you have any questions about the application process, please policy- BAMPPprogram@umd.edu What are the application deadlines? o Fall Admissions: Early: April 1 Final: July 1 o Spring Admissions: Early: November 1 Final: January 5

5 What if I took the ACT instead of the SAT? You may submit ACT scores in place of the SAT if you have an ACT score of at least 29. What are my chances of being admitted if I meet the minimum qualifications? Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission to the BA/MPP program. The admissions committee is also looking for students with a strong commitment to public service as demonstrated through past employment, internships, volunteering and/or coursework. Additionally, an applicant should demonstrate the maturity that is needed to handle graduate level courses and sometimes, simultaneously doing an internship or filling a campus leadership position. Take your application seriously and submit the strongest package you can put together. How do I prepare for the program? Students can prepare for the program by taking ECON 200 and Calculus. BA/MPP students are required to complete ECON 200 AND Calculus (MATH 120 (formally MATH 220), MATH 140 or AP Credit) with a grade of C or better before registering for graduate-level PLCY courses. Completing these perquisites before applying to program allows admitted students to register for MPP courses their first semester in the program. How can I obtain more information about the School of Public Policy, BA/MPP degree program, and the opportunities available to MPP graduates? The three best ways to learn more about these subjects are: Browsing the School of Public Policy website: policy-bamppprogram@umd.edu with additional questions or to schedule an appointment to learn more about the program.