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Arts and Sciences
Presidents Hall
Undergraduate
Dual Degree

B.A., Political Science or Sociology/M.P.A.

The Department of Political Science and Public Affairs and the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work offer a dual degree program that leads to two degrees completed in a five-year span: a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Political Science or Sociology and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree. 

Curriculum

In applying to the M.P.A. degree program, which is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the student must follow the regular application procedures for admission to the M.P.A. program, except that he/she must: 

  • achieve a cumulative GPA that is 3.2 or above by the end of his/ her third year; 
  • have transferred no more than 18 credits to the University, and
  • submit three letters of recommendation from his/her undergraduate instructors, two of which must be from full-time political science or sociology faculty. 

Full matriculation in the M.P.A. degree program is completed only upon the recommendation of the Graduate Admissions Committee of the M.P.A. program. 

Students accepted into this program follow the academic program prescribed by their majors in consultation with their advisers (including the core requirements in Arts and Sciences and the requirements of their majors) during the first three years. If accepted into this program, students may take a maximum of four M.P.A. courses (12 credits) during their senior years, which count toward the completion of the bachelor’s degree. 

At the end of the fourth year and upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits, students in the program receive a Bachelor of Arts degree. If the student wants to complete the five-year B.A./M.P.A. degree, twelve of those credits must come from the core courses of the graduate public administration program. During the fifth year, 27 additional M.P.A. credits, which include a 3-credit internship, must be completed. It is highly recommended that students wishing to complete both degrees in the five year time frame take at least two Summer courses after their fourth year.

Program Overview

The program has a two-fold purpose: to provide a broadbased undergraduate education with a comprehensive grasp of one’s major in either Sociology or Political Science; and to permit students to earn a Master of Public Administration degree within the timeframe of five years. Students may apply for admission to the joint degree program when first making application to the University or after they begin their studies. 

Students who are accepted into the University and declare Sociology or Political Science as their majors also may be provisionally accepted for work toward the M.P.A. degree. Final acceptance into the M.P.A. degree program, however, will only occur upon successful completion of no fewer than 89 credits of the undergraduate degree program with a grade point average of no less than 3.2 and the successful completion of the M.P.A. application process.

Faculty Listing

The faculty in our internationally recognized research and teaching programs are committed to guiding students to success. Seton Hall is a Catholic University where great thinkers do more than think. They teach.

Matthew Hale posing
Matthew Hale
Associate Professor
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Headshot image of Lonnie H. Athens posing
Lonnie Athens
Professor of Criminal Justice
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Roseanne Mirabella posing
Roseanne Mirabella
Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs
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Robert Pallito posing
Robert Pallitto
Professor of Political Science
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