Penn State undergraduates interested in policy advocacy, design and implementation have the opportunity to apply to the Penn State Master of Public Policy program up to a year early and complete the undergraduate degree and master’s degree together in a compressed time frame.
Currently, the integrated undergraduate-graduate degree (IUG) is available with the following six degrees:
- African American Studies B.A.
- Criminology B.S.
- Communication Arts and Sciences B.S./B.A.
- Health Policy and Administration B.S.
- Political Science B.A.
- Sociology B.S.
- Human Development and Family Studies B.S.
What is an integrated undergraduate-graduate degree?
An integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree provides an opportunity for academically strong students to complete a bachelor of arts or sciences in their preferred field and a master’s degree in Public Policy in approximately five years of study.
How does the IUG prepare me for the job market?
The IUG curriculum provides students the opportunity to integrate strong critical thinking skills, in-depth substantive knowledge in the student’s policy specialization, and state-of-the-art public policy knowledge that will place them at a competitive advantage for jobs and additional graduate-level study.
Does the IUG increase earning potential for graduates?
Employers highly value a Master of Public Policy degree. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, MPP graduates earn an average of $19,000 more than their counterparts with bachelor’s degrees. Prodigy Finance reports that MPP grads can expect a 31 percent increase in salary.
What is the admissions process?
Admission to the IUG is based on good progress in the student’s undergraduate studies, faculty recommendations from the home department, GPA, and a two-page statement of purpose. Students must also apply to, and be accepted into, the Graduate School at Penn State. Internal IUG students are NOT required to take the GRE. For further information about the admissions process for the IUG, please consult our IUG admissions page.
Want to know more about the IUG programs? Email us!
Are you eligible to apply?
The School of Public Policy currently offers an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) program to Penn State undergraduate students in the programs listed below. Requirements are listed under each major.
African American Studies B.A.
Requirements:
- Students must be currently in the African American Studies B.A. program at Penn State.
- Please inquire about program-specific GPA requirements.
Criminology B.S.
Requirements:
- Students must be currently enrolled in the Criminology B.S. program at Penn State.
- Applicants are generally expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application.
Communication Arts and Sciences B.S./B.A.
Requirements:
- Students must be currently enrolled in the Communications Arts and Science (B.S. or B.A.) program at Penn State.
- Applicants are generally expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application.
Health Policy and Administration B.S.
Requirements:
- Students must be currently enrolled in the Health Policy and Administration B.S. program at Penn State.
- Applicants are generally expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application.
Political Science B.A.
Requirements:
- Students must be currently enrolled in the Political Science B.A. program at Penn State.
- Applicants are generally expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application.
Sociology B.S.
Requirements:
- Students must be currently enrolled in the Sociology B.S. program at Penn State.
- Applicants are generally expected to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application.