Accelerated B.A. in Political Science/Master's Degree in Public Administration (A.P.A. Program)

Available to freshman, transfer students, and continuing C.W. Post students

The Political Science Department offers students the unique opportunity to prepare for a career in government administration on the federal, state, or local level at an accelerated rate. The department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Public Administration, offers an Accelerated B.A. in Political Science/Master's Degree in Public Administration (A.P.A.)

Students enrolled in the A.P.A. program at Nassau and Suffolk Community colleges should see the academic counselor in the Department of Political Science because of the nature of their program.

The accelerated program permits the obtaining of these degrees in much less time than is normally required. For example, it is possible for an entering freshman studying on a full-time basis to earn a B.A. in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration degree (M.P.A.) within five years; a junior may earn both bachelor and M.P.A. degrees in three years or less. Acceptance into the Accelerated B.A. in Political Science/Master's Degree in Public Administration program requires:

1. Completion of 60-64 credits with a grade point average no lower than a B (3.0).

2. Acceptance of the student by the appropriate authorities at C.W. Post. (If a student does not possess the necessary 3.0 average, the appropriate authorities may employ other criteria to insure qualification, e.g., S.A.T. scores, letters of recommendation, samples of prior work, etc.).

Since a student pursuing this accelerated program is a major in the Department of Political Science, he or she is eligible for all financial assistance made available to majors.

Those students participating in the Accelerated B.A. in Political Science/Master's Degree in Public Administration will be required to maintain a B average, enroll in a 6-credit government internship, as well as take 12 credits in Economics. Moreover, in the student's senior year, he or she will complete 12 graduate credits of Public Administration. Upon successful completion of the normal 128 credits required for graduation, the student will not receive the B.A. degree in Political Science, but will be given 12 credits of advanced standing in the M.P.A. program. The student, therefore, will be required to complete 33 credits in the Master of Public Administration program (rather than the required 45 credits). After completing the 33 credits, and meeting all graduate requirements, the student will be awarded both the B.A. and M.P.A. degrees. If, for any reason, the student should not go on for the M.P.A. degree, he or she will be entitled to the B.A. in Political Science upon the completion of the appropriate 128 credits.

The five-year program will reflect the normal Department of Political Science suggested program for the first two years, with the appropriate changes in the last two years of study. Consult the academic counselor for an appropriate plan of study. An accelerated program in Political Science/Health Administration is also offered. Students should consult the academic counselor for further information.