Program Overview

MPA ADP Program Overview

The MPA ADP program is designed to encourage more OU students to pursue careers in public service, broadly defined. The program offers a more efficient path to the completion of a marketable advanced degree, reducing overall cost and time to graduation. Both accelerated programs allow students to continue making progress toward graduation in a timely manner and decrease the total amount of time required to earn a master's degree.

Program Objectives

The program equips students with the skills needed to make meaningful contributions to efforts to strengthen communities, improve the efficient and effective delivery of public services, contribute to domestic and international organizations engaged in philanthropy and advocacy, and inform policymaking at the federal, state, and local level. The program allows students to couple their broad undergraduate training with a more focused, practitioner-oriented skill set that will make them more competitive in the job market and even more skilled when entering the workforce.

Accelerated Degree Program Degree Options

• Political Science, BA/MPA
• Public & Nonprofit Administration, BA/MPA

Eligibility Requirements

1. Students must be a Political Science or Public and Nonprofit Administration major.
2. A minimum of one year of work must be completed in residence at the University of Oklahoma.
3. Students are expected to apply to the BA/MPA ADP program no later than the first semester of their junior year. Applications by the second semester of the sophomore year are preferred. Prospective students who do not meet the application deadline will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
4. Students must have a minimum 3.50 overall undergraduate GPA for admission.
5. After admission to the ADP, a student is required to maintain a 3.00 GPA in each term.
6. The GRE is not required. Students are not expected to submit GRE scores as a requirement for admission to the program since undergraduate credit fulfillment at the University of Oklahoma will provide information sufficient to judge aptitude and preparation for the MPA program.
7. Students who are not able to successfully complete the accelerated degree program must submit a request for an extension detailing the unusual circumstances justifying the delay in degree completion.

Application Requirements

Prospective students must submit the following materials by the applicable deadline:

• Application Form
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from persons in a position to speak knowledgeably about the applicant’s academic abilities. Typically, these would be academic references from OU faculty members. At least one letter should come from a current OU political science faculty member.
• Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages) articulating applicant’s motivation and desire to pursue the degree, proposed fields of study, and career aspirations.
• Unofficial OU Transcript.

Deadlines

• Fall: April 15th
• Spring: October 15th