All students must meet the Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Degree Pathway
Overview
The Accelerated Master’s Pathway in Public Administration (AMP-MPA) offers University of Vermont students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate program of study in 5 years. The AMP-MPA allows students to jumpstart their public service careers and equips them with the skills necessary to tackle real-world problems – from environmental sustainability and social justice to effective government and thriving communities. The AMP-MPA welcomes student from a wide variety of majors, including administrative, behavioral, health, environmental, organizational, social science and related disciplines. Application to the program is typically made during a student's junior year. More information on the AMP-MPA can be found on the Master of Public Administration website. Inquiries can be made through email mpa@uvm.edu.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Master of Public Administration for Accelerated Students
The Accelerated Master’s Entry Pathway requires that students fulfill the same entrance requirements as for all candidates for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and be accepted in order to matriculate and advance to candidacy. The following criteria must be met to gain admission to the AMP-MPA:
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A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the beginning of the second semester the candidate's junior year
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Three letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate’s academic performance
- A strong motivation and academic potential for graduate work articulated in a statement of purpose
Applicants to the AMP-MPA must submit the standard Graduate College Application form. Completed applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Following formal Graduate College admission to the Accelerated Master's Pathway, up to 9 credits of approved graduate course work may be taken that may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
Minimum Degree Requirements
Successful completion of 36 credits, including:
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses: | ||
| PA 6010 | Foundations of Public Admin | 3 |
| PA 6020 | Org Theory & Behavior | 3 |
| PA 6030 | Research & Evaluation Methods | 3 |
| PA 6050 | Public and Nonprofit Budgeting | 3 |
| PA 6060 | Policy Systems | 3 |
| PA 6260 | Community Economic Development | 3 |
| PA 6750 | Public Administration Capstone | 3 |
| PA 6991 | Internship | 3 or 6 |
| An approved sequence of elective courses which may include up to 12 credits of course work from approved disciplines related to public administration | 12 | |
The internship is a graduation requirement for all students who enter the MPA without at least 1 year (12 months) of full-time professional experience in the public, nonprofit, or public affairs sector. Students who believe their prior experience fulfills this requirement can submit their resume and complete an internship waiver request form for consideration. Please note that an approved internship waiver does not eliminate or reduce any academic credit requirements.
The Public Administration Capstone is designed to provide MPA students with a summative experience that ties learning competencies to evidence drawn from their course of study. This is done through the development of a professional portfolio. This course counts as the “comprehensive exam” for the MPA.
A 6-credit thesis option is available for interested students. Students who choose the thesis option are also required to complete the professional portfolio but are not required to enroll in the Capstone. Students interested in the thesis option should meet with their advisor upon entering the program to develop their plan for successful completion. Thesis students are required to assemble a three-member thesis review committee to evaluate their work following the UVM Graduate College guidelines. Students pursuing the thesis option must take 6 credits of PA 6391, which are counted towards the 36-credit requirement
Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination requirement is met when a student completes the Public Administration Capstone. The Public Administration Capstone is designed to provide MPA students with a summative experience that ties learning competencies to evidence drawn from their course of study.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Public Administration
36 academic credits are needed (12 courses) to earn an M.P.A. including the following eight core courses:
- PA 6010 Foundations of Public Administration
- PA 6020 Organizational Theory and Behavior
- PA 6030 Research and Evaluation Methods
- PA 6050 Public and Non-Profit Budgeting
- PA 6060 Policy Systems
- PA 6260 Community and Economic Development
- PA 6750 M.P.A. Capstone
- PA 6991 Internship
With guidance from their advisor, students select additional courses within the MPA program or other academic units at UVM to complete their course of study. The UVM MPA does not offer explicit specializations; however, students may pursue courses with a common thread or focus and can tailor their elective coursework to explore their interest. Students may also choose to pursue a Certificate of Graduate Studies as an additional credential to fulfill elective requirements