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Robert M. La Follette
School of Public Affairs
1225 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Telephone: 608.262.3581
Fax: 608.265.3233

Last updated:
October 22, 2009

Degree Programs: Accelerated Program

Undergraduate students considering work in government or public service can jump-start their careers with a masters degree from UW-Madisons La Follette School of Public Affairs. The accelerated program adds only one year to an undergraduate program.

Eligible undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin - Madison in a variety of disciplines (international relations, political science, or economics, for example) can receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree after four years of study and a master's degree after the fifth year. The master's degree may be the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) or the Master of International Public Affairs (MIPA).

Accelerated students have full access to the academic advising and career placement services provide to other La Follette School students. Accelerated students are eligible for financial support after formal admission to the Graduate School.

Admissions

Two Accelerated Student Profiles

Sample Curriculum

This outline of a sample curriculum shows how a student might schedule the program.

Senior Year as Undergraduate

Quantitative Tools for Public Policy Analysis, PA 818, or equivalent (3 credits)
Microeconomic Policy Analysis, PA 880, or equivalent (3 credits)
Approved electives at the intermediate or advanced level (6 credits)
Graduate courses (6 credits)

Summer Between Senior Year and Graduate School

Internship (3 credits) "(optional)"

Fifth Year as Graduate Student

Semester I (12 credits)
Semester II (9 credits)

Both La Follette School master's degrees require 42 credits. An undergraduate may earn 18 credits toward a master's degree, and then take the next 24 credits as a graduate student.

The La Follette School student services coordinator and/or the associate director can advise students on appropriate courses for the chosen degree. The associate director must approve the chosen courses and will determine which, if any, courses or credits are to be waived or substituted.

Participating undergraduate departments are urged to count the graduate courses taken at the La Follette School in the student's fourth year toward the undergraduate major. Those departments may designate on a case-by-case basis which courses would be counted accordingly.