English/Urban Affairs and Public Policy 4+1 (BA/MA)

Admission Requirements:

English majors may apply to the 4+1 accelerate, combined program after completing 60 credit hours. This is typically in the fall semester of the Junior Year. While applicants are encouraged to apply for admission prior to registering for courses for the spring semester of the junior year, applications will be accepted through April 15. Additionally, applicants must have declared the Minor in Public Policy and completed (or be in the process of completing) UAPP 110, UAPP 225, and UAPP 325 by the time of application. Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Thus no one criterion is the sole basis of an admission decision.

Admission Criterion:

• Applicants must have a 3.3 or higher cumulative GPA.
• Applicants must take the GRE by December of their junior year…Generally, those admitted to the MA program have scores on the quantitative and verbal aptitude portions of the GRE at the 65th percentile on the IBT version of the test. The School has established no minimum GRE score required for admission. GREs are viewed in the context of the applicant’s complete record. The Director of the MA program may waive the GRE for students with a GPA of 3.5 and above.
• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, addressing the applicant’s ability to successfully accomplish graduate level studies. At least one letter must be from a faculty member from the applicant’s minor in Public Policy, and at least one letter must be from a faculty member from the applicant’s major in English.
• Applicants must submit an official transcript.
• Applicants must submit a statement of interests and objectives.

Program Requirements:

Students admitted to the 4+1 accelerated, combined program will complete the requirements for the BA in English and with consultation from an advisor in Public Policy enroll in advanced sections of the courses needed to complete the Public Policy minor. These courses for the minor are already available to 4+1 Public Policy students. During their last three undergraduate semesters, students enroll in a total of 15 credits of 600 and 700-level sections. These are the same 600 and 700-level sections required for the first-year students in the MA program. These courses will prepare students for completion of the MA requirements in the fifth year of study. After senior year, students will immediately begin taking the remaining 21 graduate credits over a one-year period, including summer, fall, and spring semesters of the fifth year. By completing work in these advanced sections with grades of B- or better, students admitted to the program will be able to complete the requirements for both the BA in English, the Minor in Public Policy, and the MA in Urban Affairs and Public Policy in five years. In accordance with University policy, students must also maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.