The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration site logo

Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Combined Undergraduate and Master's Degrees

The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration (TSPPPA) partners with several Columbian College departments to offer combined undergraduate/graduate degree programs. These programs allow students to complete master's credits as part of the undergraduate program, thereby completing both degrees within five and a half years.

Program Descriptions

BA in Criminal Justice/MPA

The BA in Criminal Justice/Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is shared between TSPPPA and the GW Department of Sociology. 

Eligibility

Undergraduate criminal justice majors should apply for the MPA during their junior year, once they have completed 75 credit hours. BA students taking public policy and public administration (PPPA) graduate courses must work with a TSPPPA advisor in addition to their criminal justice advisor.

BA in Political Science/MPA

The GW Department of Political Science and TSPPPA jointly offer a combined Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Master of Public Administration degree.

Eligibility

Undergraduate political science majors should apply for the MPA during their junior year, once they have completed 75 credit hours. BA students taking public policy and public administration (PPPA) graduate courses must work with a TSPPPA advisor in addition to their political science advisor.

BA in Human Services and Social Justice/MPA

The GW Human Services and Social Justice Program and TSPPPA jointly offer a combined Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Social Justice/Master of Public Administration degree.

Eligibility

Undergraduate HSSJ majors should apply for the MPA during their junior year, once they have completed 75 credit hours. BA students taking public policy and public administration (PPPA) graduate courses must work with a TSPPPA advisor in addition to their HSSJ advisor.

BA/BS in Political Science or Economics/MPP

TSPPPA has partnered with the GW Departments of Political Science and Economics to offer a combined Bachelor of Arts/Science in Political Science/Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree and a Bachelor of Arts/Science in Economics/MPP degree. 

Eligibility

Undergraduate political science or economics majors should apply for the MPP during their junior year, once they have completed 75 credit hours. BA/BS students taking public policy and public administration (PPPA) graduate courses must work with a TSPPPA advisor in addition to their undergraduate advisor.

BA in Environmental Studies/MA-ESP

Visit the program page for details. Note: the BA in Environmental Studies/MA-ESP has different application requirements from the other undergraduate/graduate degrees offered.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the combined degree program should submit the required materials to Mindy Galvan, Trachtenberg School director of admissions. It is preferred that all materials be submitted as a single PDF document, with the exception of letters of recommendation, which should be sent to Mindy directly by the recommender. 

  • CCAS Combined Degree Application Form, including required signatures. An email from your director of undergraduate studies indicating support for your application may be accepted in lieu of a physical signature. 
  • Copy of your unofficial transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation, at least one from a current GW professor
  • Resume or CV
  • Statement of Purpose: 250-500 words indicating your purpose in undertaking graduate study, academic objectives, research interests and career plans.

Deadlines

Applications for fall start are accepted on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of June 1. Spring start applications are accepted on a case-by-case basis. 

Note: the BA in Environmental Studies/MA-ESP has different application requirements from the other undergraduate/graduate degrees offered. Visit the program page for details. 

Contacts