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2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Combined B.S./B.A. in Public and Nonprofit Administration and Master of Public Administration Program

Website: https://www.gvsu.edu/acad/combined-degree-public-and-nonprofit-administration-ba-bs-and-public-administration-mpa.htm

Unlock your potential with our combined degree program! This exciting opportunity allows you to fast-track both your undergraduate and graduate degrees, saving time and money while propelling you toward your personal and career aspirations. If you are passionate about serving others and ready to elevate your education, meet with the M.P.A. graduate program director to explore this exciting opportunity.

Admitted students can take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework that count toward both degrees, all for the cost of undergraduate tuition. After earning a bachelor's degree, students continue seamlessly in the M.P.A. program, completing an additional 27 credits of coursework and a 3-credit internship. Most students finish the M.P.A. in just three semesters after completing the bachelor's degree.

Requirements

Qualified undergraduate public administration students may be admitted to a combined bachelor's/master's program and obtain both a B.S. or a B.A. and an M.P.A. Students admitted to this program may take up to 12 credits of the following graduate coursework and may use these in partial satisfaction for the requirements of the undergraduate degree:

PNH 612 and PNH 614 fulfill the B.S./B.A. undergraduate core requirements in personnel management and organization theory, while the other courses fulfill the B.S./B.A. undergraduate College of Education and Community Innovation elective requirements. No more than four 500-or 600-level courses can be counted toward the minimum 39 hours of the M.P.A. degree as a combined B.S. or B.A./M.P.A. student.

No more than four 500-or 600-level courses can be counted toward the minimum 39 hours of the M.P.A. degree. If students earn at least a grade of B in each of these graduate-level classes, they are able to continue in the Master of Public Administration program and must then complete an additional 27 credits of graduate coursework plus a three-credit internship (PNH 690) to receive the M.P.A. degree.

Admission

Requirements for admissions in the M.P.A. program, students should do the following in order listed:

  • be at a junior standing or 75 credit hours with at least 30 credit hours completed at GVSU,
  • meet with the M.P.A. graduate program director,
  • complete of PNH 520 - Foundations of Public Service with a grade of B or better,
  • have a 3.3 overall undergraduate GPA at the time of application and completed (or enrolled in) PNH 101, PNH 300, PNH 307, PNH 360, PNH 375, STA 215, and MTH 215 with B or better, and
  • submit a graduate application along with a resume, an essay on career and educational objectives (500-750 words) that demonstrates commitment to community and public service, and three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a PNH faculty member.

Requirements during undergraduate studies

An undergraduate student enrolled in the combined degree program is required to successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits each semester until all undergraduate courses required for the degree have been completed (except when completing an internship or other extenuating circumstances).

  • Students will maintain a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3, earning a C or better in each undergraduate course attempted; and
  • Students will earn a B or better in each graduate course attempted.

All university requirements, including general education courses, must be completed before the final year of the combined B.S. or B.A./M.P.A. program.

Graduation without completion of the combined program

If a student decides at some point to pursue only the undergraduate portion of the combined degree, the School of Community Leadership and Development will still recognize the graduate courses taken in lieu of undergraduate courses. Graduate credits used for the undergraduate degree cannot be used toward a graduate degree at a later date.


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