BA-MPA and BA-MUP with College of Arts and Science

Deep passions don’t tend to be patient. Yes, you know a four-year liberal arts education makes an excellent foundation for a job in public service. But, you also know a master’s degree can give you the professional skills and tools you’ll need to build a career with impact. Together, it’s long road. But it doesn’t have to be. Set your desire to make the world a better place into motion with a BA-MPA or BA-MUP offered by NYU Wagner in partnership with the NYU College of Arts and Science (CAS). 

CAS students who are least three semesters (one for transfer students) into their undergraduate degree can apply for dual degree program. Interested? Submit the Pre-Application to the College of Arts and Science for consideration.

Advising

NYU Wagner Student Services 
Adrienne Smith, Assistant Director of Student Services and Bloomberg Fellowship Program

Brendan Sullivan, Associate Director of Juniors and Inter-School Programs, CAS

Curriculum

As part of the BA-MPA and BA-MUP tracks, you can complete up to 21 credits toward the 45 credit graduate degree as an undergraduate student. This can include the undergraduate course equivalents below:

* UPADM-GP 101, 111, & 103 are NYU Wagner undergraduate courses

** BA-MUP students should delay completing these requirements if they are planning to complete the MUP in one additional year

*** Undergraduate students must take the undergraduate version of CORE-GP 1020 Management and Leadership (UPADM-GP 103 Intro to Managing Public Service Organizations)

**** Not accepted for MUP degree

If you complete the maximum 21 credits during your undergraduate career and take a prescribed sequence of coursework in consultation with an advisor, you can finish the MPA or MUP degree in one full-time year. With any less completed, your time at Wagner would be extended by one year and you also have the flexibility to complete the MPA or MUP in up to five years part-time. For more information about planning your coursework during undergrad and other policies, please see our Advising and Policies page. 

Applying to Wagner

If you’re accepted to the BA-MPA or BA-MUP track, you are not guaranteed admittance to the Wagner graduate program. You must complete the graduate application in your final undergraduate year by the priority deadline at the end of the fall semester. Students applying via our dual tracks are guaranteed an interview with a member of both the admissions and students services team the following February. Please see our admissions website for more information.

DEferral

Wagner graduate students come from a variety of professional backgrounds - many have several years of substantial experience in public service before starting a Wagner graduate degree. We believe that this real-world experience strongly enriches the Wagner education in and outside the classroom. As a result, our graduate admissions team may accept you into the MPA or MUP program with the requirement that you defer 1 year to gain full-time professional experience in a public service field.

You may also choose to defer your enrollment for up to 2 years in order to gain additional experience.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Pursuing a graduate dual degree is an investment in the future and a serious commitment of time and money. All Bachelor’s-Master’s track applicants will be considered for scholarships and funding as part of the graduate application. You can also apply for the the Georgina and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Service Fellows Program in the graduate application - a full-tuition scholarship opportunity.