Policy, Planning, and Management Accelerated Graduate Pathway

Program Type
Accelerated Graduate Pathway
Degree
Leads to Master of Policy, Planning, and Management (MPPM)
Mode of Study
Pathway: Varies by major

Pathway highlights

  • Complete both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as few as five years — rather than the usual six.
  • Take advantage of a time-saving & cost-saving pathway for highly motivated undergraduate students looking ahead to graduate school.
  • Save up to 12 credits worth of tuition, fees, and expenses.
  • Select from numerous majors eligible to enroll.
  • Begin a professional leadership role sooner with both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in hand.
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How the pathway works

During your final year of undergraduate study, you’ll begin taking graduate-level Policy, Planning, and Management courses — if you meet progress standards and graduate program admissions requirements. The graduate-level courses will satisfy credit requirements for your undergraduate major as well as the first year of the MPPM program.

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Select any undergraduate major

Each of our undergraduate majors is eligible to enroll in the MPPM Accelerated Graduate Pathway. Please be advised that some majors that require 70 credits or more will extend the normal timeline for the pathway.

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Program requirements

To satisfy credit requirements for both your undergraduate major and your future MPPM degree program, you’ll be required to earn a high grade in specific courses and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.

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Admission to the MPPM program

If you meet undergraduate progress standards, the formal graduate application and requirements will be waived. You will instead be required to submit an essay and potentially complete an interview in order to gain admission to the graduate program.

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About our Policy, Planning, and Management master’s program

The MPPM serves those who aspire to leadership roles and careers as managers, planners, researchers, analysts, or advocates in public service. Coursework focuses on conceptual learning and provides opportunities to apply learning to contemporary issues and challenges.

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Frequently asked questions

Our Accelerated Graduate Pathways offer highly motivated undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate study while completing their bachelor’s degree.

Next steps

Our helpful admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services. We also invite you to explore the many ways to visit campus or to engage with us through online experiences.

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Please note: Current USM students should contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about how the pathway can work with your current academic progress. This pathway is most beneficial when you declare it as early as possible in your undergraduate studies.