McCourt School of Public Policy
McCourt School of Public Policy

Accelerated BA/MPP

The Bachelor of Arts/Master of Public Policy (BA/MPP) program gives Joint Program in Public Policy (JPPP) students a faster, more affordable path to two degrees. Rather than pursuing an undergraduate degree and an MPP independently, students can complete both in an integrated five-year course of study—applying up to 12 undergraduate credits toward their master’s degree while satisfying all standard requirements for each.

Graduates leave the program exceptionally well-prepared for careers in public policy. Over five years, they develop fluency in the analytical tools of the field, deep expertise in the policy areas that matter most to them, and a sophisticated understanding of what it takes to design and implement effective, evidence-based policies.

Curriculum

We expect that most BA/MPP students will follow this coursework schedule to complete the master’s degree requirements:

Fall Semester

  • PPOL 5000: Statistical Methods for Policy Analysis (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
    • Students who have successfully completed PPOL 3000 and MATH 1040 or equivalent may waive this class and replace it with an elective
    • Students who scored a 5 in AP Stats, or a 4 on AP Stats and at least a B+ in PPOL 3000 may also waive this class
  • PPOL 5004: Intermediate Microeconomics I (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
    • Students who have completed an undergraduate intermediate microeconomics course (ECON 2101 or equivalent) may test out of PPOL 5004 and replace it with an elective
  • PPOL 1800: Introduction to Data Management (0 credits)
  • Experiential Seminar (for those completing the internship) or a PPOL 4000+ policy elective that would count toward both the JPPP and MPP degrees
  • A policy elective at the 4000-level or above that would count toward both the JPPP and MPP degrees

Spring Semester

  • PPOL 5001: Regression Methods for Policy Analysis (3 credits toward the MPP degree, also counts toward Skills/Methods for JPPP)
  • PPOL 5005: Intermediate Microeconomics II (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
  • PPOL 5008 / PPOL 5009: Public Management/Management & Implementation in Developing Countries (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
  • PPOL 1800: Introduction to Data Management
  • A policy elective at the 4000-level or above that would count toward both the JPPP and MPP degrees or the Policy Lab

Fall Semester

  • PPOL 5002: Advanced Regression and Program Evaluation Methods (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
  • PPOL 5011 / PPOL 5013: Policy Analysis Capstone I/Thesis Workshop I (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
  • PPOL 5010: Ethics, Values and Public Policy or Elective (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
  • Elective (3 credits toward the MPP degree)

Spring Semester

  • PPOL 5012 / PPOL 5014: Policy Analysis Capstone II/Thesis Workshop II (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
  • PPOL 5010: Ethics, Values and Public Policy or Elective (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
  • Elective (3 credits toward the MPP degree)
  • Elective (3 credits toward the MPP degree)

FAQs

The curriculum double counts a number of electives across both programs and allows students to replace one of the required MPP courses with a required JPPP course. In particular, the Political Analysis class (PPOL 3002) typically taken during JPPP students’ junior year will replace the Politics of Policymaking class that is usually taken by MPP students in their first semester. The Quantitative Methods 2 class (PPOL 5001) that is taken by MPP students will count as one of the Methods electives required for the JPPP major. Finally, two additional electives will count toward both degrees as long as they are at the 4000 level or above. In sum, four courses (12 credits) will be double counted.

Students can currently begin the application for the MPP degree, but should wait until their spring semester grades have been posted to submit the complete application. Completed applications will be considered on a rolling basis beginning May 15. The application for the accelerated MPP will close June 1.

Students need to complete the MPP application. They will need to submit a resume/CV, academic statement, optional personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and undergraduate transcripts. Students do not need to take/submit GRE scores. The application fee is waived for JPPP students.

JPPP students can expect to hear from the McCourt Admissions office within two weeks of submitted a completed application.

JPPP students who are accepted into the MPP degree will automatically receive a 25% scholarship towards the MPP in their fifth year. Students will have the opportunity to submit an application for scholarship reconsideration after their fourth year. 

For the fourth year, BA/MPP students are considered undergraduate students and can apply for undergraduate financial aid. For the fifth year, students are considered graduate students and will need to apply for graduate financial aid.

After senior year, students may be eligible for part-time enrollment after fully matriculating as a graduate student. 

No. Because of the sequential nature of the curriculum, students need to be enrolled for the full fourth and fifth years of the program.

Yes, though this requires careful planning. JPPP students will need to take PPOL 3000 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis and PPOL 3001 Economics for Public Policy prior to applying for the Accelerated MPP degree.

Yes, BA/MPP students are able to participate in the current study abroad exchange programs at Bocconi University (Milan, Italy), Hertie School of Governance (Berlin, Germany), Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (Singapore), or Sciences-Po (Paris, France). Students would study abroad in the fall semester of their fifth year.

Yes, BA/MPP students will need to complete an internship in order to graduate. The JPPP internship will count toward this degree requirement.

No. Because of the nature of the curriculum, BA/MPP students cannot pursue a dual degree (e.g., MPP/JD, MPP/MBA, etc.)

Due to the rigorous analytical training provided at the McCourt School, incoming MPP students are required to have strong foundations in economics. JPPP students who have completed an undergraduate intermediate microeconomics course (ECON 2101 or equivalent) are eligible to apply for a waiver exam in August. If approved, students will take the PPOL 5004 waiver exam. Students who pass the waiver exam do not have to take PPOL 5004 but can replace it with a PPOL 4000+ elective. Please contact mccourtacademicadvising@georgetown.edu for more information.

Yes. The graduate McCourt Foundations program is a mandatory course that occurs prior to the start of the fall semester in their senior  year. In extenuating circumstances, this requirement can be completed in between the fourth and fifth years. The course is designed to facilitate the transition to graduate school for incoming students by developing core leadership and communication skills and fostering equity-centered policy work.

BA/MPP students choose between two capstone experiences: completing a client-based consulting project, or completing a thesis. Both options span two semesters, and involve answering a policy question in an analytically rigorous manner, drawing on the knowledge and skills of the MPP curriculum.

Yes.

No. As of now, only JPPP students can apply for the accelerated MPP degree. We will be exploring other program options in the future.

No. While a student can have junior standing in their sophomore year, they need to have completed all JPPP-core classes by the time they start taking MPP courses.

In their fourth and fifth years, BA/MPP students have the opportunity to apply for on-campus housing on the Capitol Campus. Please note that on-campus housing is not guaranteed for the fourth and fifth years.  

Yes, students in their fifth year are considered graduate students and are not subject to the undergraduate residential neighborhood restrictions.

After their fourth year, students will apply for a new I-20 through the Office of Global Services.

Please contact mccourtjppp@georgetown.edu for more information.