Public Administration and Policy (MPAP) 4+1 Option
Earn your bachelor’s and master’s in five years, and save time and tuition.
The Master of Public Administration & Policy (MPA) 4+1 accelerated option allows qualified UM-Dearborn undergraduates to complete their bachelor’s degree and the MPA with just one additional year of graduate study.
You can double-count up to 16 credits of approved graduate-level (500-level) coursework toward both your undergraduate and graduate degrees. Double-counted courses appear on both transcripts and are graded according to graduate standards.
This accelerated pathway is ideal for students pursuing careers in:
- Government and public administration
- Nonprofit leadership and management
- Public policy analysis
- Community development and public service
After completing the bachelor’s degree, students typically complete at least 21 additional graduate credits, allowing them to earn both degrees in approximately five years.
Admission Requirements
- Current UM-Dearborn undergraduate student
- Completion of at least 60 undergraduate credits
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
- Demonstrated interest in public or nonprofit service
- Admission approval by the MPAP Program Director
Students must apply to the Master of Public Administration & Policy through the online graduate application and select “Yes” to the 4+1 accelerated option.
Required materials include:
- Official transcripts
- One letter of recommendation from a UM-Dearborn faculty member or instructor
Applying to the 4+1 program is a two-stage process coordinated with both your undergraduate and graduate advising teams. For detailed instructions and application links, please visit the central 4+1 programs webpage.
Curriculum Options
Students in the 4+1 program may choose from approved graduate-level courses, many of which have 400-level undergraduate equivalents, allowing the graduate version to count toward undergraduate major or elective requirements while also applying to the master’s degree.
Students in the 4+1 program may double-count up to 16 credits from approved graduate courses, including:
- PAPP 502 - Politics of Public Policy
- PAPP 505 - Intro to Public Admin
- PAPP 520 - Govt & Nonprofit Leadership
- PAPP 523 - Administrative Law
- PAPP 527 - Public Relations for Govt/Nonprof
- PAPP 537 - Behavioral Public Policy
- PAPP 540 - Government & Nonprofit Finance
- PAPP 545 - Grant Writing & Management
- PAPP 548 - Fundraising
- PAPP 555 - Network Collaboration
- PAPP 560 - Admin of Human Resources
- PAPP 561 - Organization Develop & Theory
- PAPP 564 - Performance Appraisal
- PAPP 580 - Stat Method for Decision-making
- PAPP 581 - Strategic Mgt for Pub Admin
- PAPP 582 - Policy Analysis & Development
- PAPP 583 - Policy Analysis & Development
- PAPP 584 - Policy Analysis & Development
- PAPP 585 - Admin Tech in Organizations
- PAPP 586 - Ethics of Admin & Public Policy
Graduate courses may substitute for the following undergraduate equivalents:
- PAPP 505 – PAPP 405
- PAPP 527 – PAPP 427
- PAPP 537 – ECON 437
- PAPP 545 – PAPP 445
- PAPP 548 – PAPP 448
- PAPP 555 – PAPP 455
- PAPP 561 – PAPP 461
- PAPP 581 – PAPP 481
- PAPP 583 – PAPP 483
- PAPP 584 – POL 484
- PAPP 585 – PAPP 485
- PAPP 586 – PAPP 486
Note: Students who have already completed their elective requirements may still participate, but their total undergraduate credits may exceed the minimum required for their degree.
Program Policies & Planning
- Students must earn a grade of B or better in each 500-level course used for double counting.
- Failure to meet this standard may result in removal from the 4+1 program (students may have the opportunity to retake courses after completing the undergraduate degree).
- After completing the bachelor’s degree, students must enroll in the MPA program for at least two full terms and pay graduate tuition rates.
- Remaining graduate credits must be completed using graduate registration.
- The undergraduate degree may be awarded once all undergraduate requirements are completed (before finishing the master’s degree).
Students who complete approximately 15 graduate credits during their undergraduate program typically finish the remaining 21 credits in one additional year. Students who complete fewer graduate credits as undergraduates may require additional time.