Accelerated Online M.P.A. 3+2 Program
Get on the Fast Track to a Bachelor’s Degree and M.P.A.
- Combined bachelor’s and master’s program: Earn your B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration (B.P.P.P.A.) and Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.).
- Streamlined curriculum: Advance directly from the undergraduate to graduate courses in a single pathway, saving time and money.
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
Accelerate Your Advancement in Public Administration
Eastern Oregon University’s 3+2 pathway enables full-time students to earn the B.P.P.P.A. and M.P.A. through a single learning pathway, in as few as five years. You will work closely with our advisors and faculty to develop the best course plan for you, completing the program on this schedule:
- First three years: Focus on undergraduate classes to meet the requirements for starting the M.P.A. coursework
- Final two years: Graduate with your B.P.P.P.A. and focus on completing your M.P.A.
The 3+2 program is ideal for students earning their B.P.P.P.A. with EOU and professionals seeking an efficient path to M.P.A. careers. Get started now to fast-track your rise to leadership in public administration, nonprofit management and beyond.
Program Details
- Complete EOU’s combined bachelor’s and master’s program in as few as five years.
- Engage in project-based coursework to gain relevant experience.
- Access a variety of career services to achieve your goals.
- Our 3+2 pathway requires fewer total courses than the standalone B.P.P.P.A. and M.P.A. degrees, helping reduce your tuition costs.
Build Comprehensive Skills with the Online 3+2 Program
Online Courses
Field Placement
Lead in Public Governance
Finish in as few as 5 Years
EOU’s online 3+2 pathway combines the foundational experience of a B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration and the specialized knowledge of an accelerated M.P.A.
You will begin with the undergraduate coursework, meeting the requirements for applying to the M.P.A. degree around the winter term of your junior year if you take courses full time. This allows you to take graduate courses during your fourth year of study, continuing to learn from the dedicated faculty you know and trust. For added flexibility, you can also complete the 3+2 pathway part time.
Additional benefits of this accelerated M.P.A. program include:
- Local-to-global approach: Our rural-informed curriculum connects how public policy affects local communities and the world at large.
- Focused coursework: Pursue two degrees from EOU for a cohesive learning experience that fully prepares you to thrive in the field.
- Hands-on learning: Access optional internships and collaborate with other students to enhance your education while building professional connections.
This bachelor’s and master’s combined program includes 222 quarter credits — instead of the 236 credits required of students seeking each degree separately. As a result, you can save time and money while advancing more quickly to the next phase of your career.
How You’ll Complete the M.P.A. Courses via the Online 3+2 Pathway
In addition to completing their undergraduate coursework, full-time students will typically take the following M.P.A. courses during their fourth year of study:
- PADM 540 Research Methods for Public Administrators (4 credits)
- PADM 541 Program Evaluation (4 credits)
- PADM 544 Ethical Leadership for Public Administrators (4 credits)
When studying full time, students will take the remaining core courses for the M.P.A. degree during the fifth year, including the field placement:
- PADM 509 Field Placement (5 credits)
- PADM 545 Political Communication (4 credits)
- PADM 561 Intergovernmental Relations (4 credits)
- PADM 570 Geographic Information Systems I (4 credits)
The final year of the 3+2 pathway will typically include 25 credits of graduate electives for students who study full time. You can choose from these options:
- PADM 510 Special Topics (1 to 5 credits)
- PADM 542 Organizational Behavior (4 credits)
- PADM 543 Nonprofit Management (4 credits)
- PADM 550 Applied Policy Analysis (4 credits)
- PADM 552 Budgetary Politics and Process (4 credits)
- PADM 553 Rural Governance (4 credits)
- PADM 554 Public Personnel Management (4 credits)
- PADM 571 Geographic Information Systems II (4 credits)
- PADM 584 Legal Issues in Public Administration (4 credits)
How to Begin the 3+2 Program
No GRE/GMAT Requirements
Now Accepting Applications
The following table outlines the requirements for EOU students who want to apply to the M.P.A. component of the 3 + 2 pathway. If you have not started the B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration, request information or call 855-805-5399 to learn more about this accelerated program.
| Online Application Form: | Complete the online application for the M.P.A. around the winter term of your junior year of the B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration. The application will include a question asking if you are applying to the 3+2 pathway. |
|---|---|
| Application Fee: | $50 |
| Degree and Minimum GPA: | A four-year baccalaureate degree, a professional degree or an appropriate alternative degree from a regionally or internationally accredited college or university and a 3.0 GPA. |
| Transcripts and Undergraduate Requirements: | Provide official transcripts from all accredited educational institutions attended. Your transcripts must show the completion of 120 quarter credits for the B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration before you apply to the M.P.A. during the winter of your junior year. You will also need to complete 135 quarter credits before starting M.P.A. courses during the fall of your senior year. Work with your advisor to satisfy these requirements on time. |
| Additional Requirements: | Three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose |
Transfer Your Credits to EOU
Eastern Oregon University offers a generous transfer credit policy, further accelerating the path to quality education. If you plan to transfer into the B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration or to the Master’s of Public Health programs, request information so we can connect you with a program representative who can help determine how many of your credits will transfer. We also consider credit for prior learning and/or work experience. To explore our general transfer credit details, visit our Admissions Hub.
Related Resources
What It’s Like to Study Online
Earning your degree online from Eastern Oregon University is a great opportunity because there are no on-campus requirements. You will have access to the same professors, content and opportunities as on-campus students while learning online in a creative digital format. Our professors work on campus and are experts trained to deliver innovative, engaging online education.
Explore the Online ExperienceRelated Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
If you’re enrolled in the B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration program at EOU, you can begin the 3+2 pathway by applying to the M.P.A. during the winter term of your junior year. The application will include a question asking if you are applying to the 3+2 pathway. You’ll need to accrue 120 credits before you apply and 135 credits to begin the M.P.A. coursework. Request information to review the full admission details with a program representative.
Students who have accrued 120 credits in the B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration can apply to the M.P.A. component of the 3+2 pathway during the winter term of their junior year. However, the timing can vary based on the pace students complete our flexible, asynchronous program. To discuss this opportunity with a program representative, request information today.
EOU offers a generous transfer-credit policy. You can receive credit for previous coursework and life/work experiences through our Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process. If you’re interested in the 3+2 pathway, request information to connect with a program representative, who can help determine how many of your credits will transfer to EOU. You can also visit our Admissions Hub to explore our general transfer credit details.
You will take online courses while completing the 3+2 pathway. If you live close to EOU’s campus, you can take specialized electives in person in coordination with our Office of Enrollment Support Services.
Although there are no program-specific scholarships for the 3+2 pathway, students can access many types of scholarships at EOU. Additionally, we are a Military Friendly® school. If you’re interested in financial assistance for continuing your education, please consider these options:
- Complete the FAFSA® to determine your financial aid eligibility. Our FAFSA code is 003193.
- Apply for a Sallie Mae loan.
The estimated total tuition for this online program does not include textbooks and other fees, such as matriculation fees of $250 for the B.S./B.A. in Politics, Policy and Public Administration and M.P.A. degrees. To explore the tuition costs with a program representative, please request information.