Fast-Track Master’s Degree Program

Save time and money while you advance your education toward a career in public service.


The public policy fast-track master’s program allows you to make progress toward a master’s degree while you complete your bachelor’s degree – quickly setting you up for a range of careers that serve the public good.

UConn undergraduate students can accelerate their completion of a Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), or Master of Arts (MA) in Survey Research and Data Analysis by taking graduate-level courses as a junior or senior. Fast-track students can also count these graduate courses toward their bachelor’s degree requirements.

Through careful planning with their advisor, students can obtain their graduate degree in just one additional year after completing their bachelor’s degree.


Why Choose UConn


#8

National ranking of public finance and budgeting programs, U.S. News & World Report.

#46

National ranking of public affairs programs, U.S. News & World Report.

NASPAA

The only NASPAA-accredited school in Connecticut.

100%

Students placed in paid internships with tuition scholarships.

97%

Job placements 6-months after graduation.

Low Cost

Complete your bachelor's degree and earn a master's degree at no additional or a reduced cost.

Outcomes and Careers

UConn School of Public Policy alumni go on to successful careers where they make a lasting impact in the communities they serve. Our 1,000+ alumni are leaders in public, nonprofit, and private sectors across Connecticut, the nation, and the globe.

Career Development Resources

Pursuing the MPP at UConn allowed me to jumpstart my career via the fast-track program and graduate with ample connections and zero debt.

Katharine Morris '21 MPP
Governor’s IIJA Fellow, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Katharine Morris

Academics

Students admitted to the fast-track master’s program must complete all degree requirements for their chosen master’s program. Each of our degrees are interested in advancing the common good through policies and programs.

MPA and MPP

The Master of Public Administration focuses on the leadership and management skills necessary to implement policies and programs through public sector and nonprofit organizations.

The Master of Public Policy focuses on the analytic and quantitative skills necessary to design, analyze, and evaluate policies and programs.

Fast-track students in both of these programs can save time and money by:

Completing up to one year of a two-year master's degree as an undergraduate student.
Earning enough credits to be eligible for the one-year Internship and Professional Practice (IPP) Program following completion of undergraduate studies. The IPP comes with a tuition scholarship, medical benefits, and a stipend, meaning there is no additional cost to your undergraduate tuition!

MA in Survey Research and Data Analysis

The Master of Arts in Survey Research and Data Analysis focuses on the innovative skills and instruments necessary to create and manage policy and program data.

Fast-track students in this program can save time and money by:
Completing up to 12 credits toward a 30 credit master’s degree.
Earning their master's degree for less than $18,000 while completing their remaining 18-credits.

How It Works

Students are assigned a fast-track advisor in the School of Public Policy. In consultation with your advisor, you’ll select coursework that meets programmatic requirements and fits your schedule.

  • Fast-track to MPA and MPP students complete a minimum of 18 graduate-level public policy credits by the time they finish their undergraduate degree. They enter the Graduate School as a second-year student eligible for the IPP program.
  • Fast-Track to MA in Survey Research and Data Analysis students complete up to 12 graduate-level public policy credits by the time they finish their undergraduate degree. They enter Graduate School as second-year students and complete their degree in only one year.
  • Public policy graduate-level courses can be used toward the 120 credits needed to complete a bachelor's degree.
  • They can also be used to fulfill honors and Minor in Public Policy requirements.
  • Students can apply as early as their second year of undergraduate studies and begin taking coursework in their third year.

Courses

MPA and MPP

We offer coursework in Hartford and Storrs once per week.

  • Hartford coursework is offered from 4 to 6:30 p.m. or 6:30 to 9 p.m.
  • Storrs coursework is offered from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

MA in Survey Research and Data Analysis

We offer courses asynchronously online. Students can complete their coursework when it fits their schedule as long as they meet predetermined deadlines.

Admissions

Fast-track students must be current UConn undergraduates. The program is open to students in any major.

Students apply to the fast-track master’s program via the UConn Graduate School’s online application. There is no cost to apply.

 

Full admissions requirements
 

Application Deadlines

Rolling admissions

(Undergraduate fast-track applications are accepted year round.)

Contact Us

For more information about our program, please contact:

Bryan Callender

Outreach Coordinator, School of Public Policy

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