School of Public Policy

The School of Public Policy's new BA/MPP program will allow students to obtain both BA and MPP degrees through an integrated five-year plan of study. This program prepares students for professional policy careers as well as for pursuing subsequent doctoral degrees in relevant disciplines. The BA/MPP program is open to UCR public policy undergraduates only, including double majors who have declared public policy as one of their majors and transfer students who have declared their major as public policy.

The program consists of the regular BA program in Public Policy, with MPP coursework, internship and capstone initiated during the fourth year and completed at the end of year five. Up to 12 units of coursework can be double-counted by students in the program, with the MPP elective courses being taken in lieu of upper-division public policy elective courses, which would allow for the MPP requirements to be met in a single additional year. The BA/MPP program will complement the existing two-year MPP program in the School of Public Policy.

The BA/MPP program will require students to do the full coursework and professional development colloquium required of the two-year MPP program during their senior (fourth) and fifth years in the BA/MPP program, including the 8-unit capstone project (PBPL 289a,b) during their fifth year. The space for the additional graduate coursework in their fourth year will come from the BA/MPP students being able to (i) double-count 12 units of coursework in the two programs (as per rules established by the Senate for combined programs), and (ii) substitute Master’s elective area courses for some of the upper-division elective courses that BA (Public Policy) students are required to take in two of six policy specialization tracks.

FAQs

• When will the program begin?

  First cohort to start Fall 2022.

• When will I apply for the program?
  • Applications will be available online beginning March 15th
    • Application link: https://forms.gle/cdVtcUgZgZX1neqHA
  • The priority submission deadline is April 15th
  • The regular submission deadline has been extended to May 15th.
  • Admission notifications will begin after May 15th
• What is the application process like?
  • The application will be submitted via Google Forms
  • Students should prepare the following:
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Personal History Statement
    • Resume
    • Transcripts (for any non-UCR coursework completed)
  • Letters of recommendation
    • Students will be required to have three recommenders for their application, one of which must be from a faculty member. Applicants will need to provide the following information on the application.
      • Name
      • Title
      • Organization/Institution
      • Email
    • SPP advisors will email your recommenders regarding the submission of your recommendation.
• Is there a minimum GPA requirement?

  Students with a 3.0 overall/cumulative GPA and 3.2 major GPA are eligible for consideration, however, the program is expected to be highly competitive. 

• Is there a course plan I should follow if I plan to apply to the program?

  A specific course plan is not required, however, students should earn a high number of units by the end of their sophomore year. Students seeking to pursue the BA/MPP program should check in with SPP academic advisors early and regularly to develop individualized course plans as students. 

• Do I have to pay graduate school tuition my 4th year?

  No, you will pay undergraduate tuition during your 4th year. 

• Do I still receive my financial aid package applied to the entirety of the program?

  Students will be held to UCR Financial Aid Office undergraduate eligibility requirements during their 4th year. Financial support for 5th year will be determined by a financial award package from the MPP program (if applicable). 

• Can I still walk and graduate after 4 years?

  Yes.

• Will I get an assigned faculty member for research?

  Faculty mentors will not be automatically assigned, however, students are encouraged to engage with SPP faculty with background in the students' areas of interest. 

Upcoming BA/MPP Info. Sessions