Accelerated Master's Program

Earn your Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in 5 Years

The Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) provides an opportunity for undergraduate students in select majors to complete a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) degree in as little as one year. Through the AMP, you can begin your graduate coursework once you have completed 75 credits, taking up to nine that can double-count towards both your undergraduate degree and MPPA. Learn more about how to maximize your time at CSU below.

Eligible Undergraduate Programs

Connect with the Accelerated Master's Program

Apply for AMP

Application Requirements

Eligibility

Current MPPA AMP partner program major at CSU
Minimum CSU GPA of 3.0
Must have completed at least 75 credit hours
Must intend to complete the MPPA degree at CSU

Application Requirements

A current resume (1-2 pages)
A statement of purpose, answering the questions: 1) Why you are interested in the SDP program?; and 2) What are your professional goals?
Unofficial transcripts

Recommended Timeline

Undergraduate: Junior Year

(or once you reach 75 credit hours completed)

Submit AMP Application
Meet with MPPA advisor

Undergraduate: Late Junior to Senior Year

Apply for formal admission to Graduate School
Complete up to 9 credits of MPPA coursework selected with advisor approval
Earn your bachelor's degree

Graduate School Year

To complete your MPPA within a year, the suggested credit load per semester is below:
- Fall: 12 credits of graduate coursework
- Spring: 12 credits of graduate coursework
- Summer: 6 credits of internship and capstone
Earn your Master of Public Policy and Administration

Note: You are not obligated to complete the program within a year

Frequently Asked Questions

For which majors is there an AMP program available?

What are the costs involved?

There is no cost to apply to the AMP program. If you are admitted to the program, you will then formally apply for the MPPA program through the CSU Graduate School, which does have a fee.

Overall, you will pay normal undergraduate tuition for your undergraduate degree as well as the nine graduate credits you take while still in your undergraduate program. The remaining credits you take in order to complete your graduate degree will be graduate tuition pricing.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Major requirements: You must be a major in the specific AMP for which you are applying. We suggest applying during your junior year; however, the latest you can apply is the semester before you plan to graduate.

Completed credits: You must have completed 75 credit hours prior to admission to the AMP program.

GPA: Your suggested minimum GPA should be 3.0 or greater for all undergraduate coursework by the time you enter your senior year, during which you will apply to the MPPA program through the CSU Graduate School. Please feel free to reach out to the admissions contact (jessie.harney@colostate.edu) if you have any questions or concerns about GPA.

What is the structure of the AMP like?

Ideally in your junior year, apply to the AMP in your major, given there is one offered.

If you are accepted, meet with your MPPA advisor during your junior year to plan out your coursework for your senior year. They will assist you in filling out a GS4 to allow coursework to be double-counted for both your Bachelor’s program and the MPPA program. You will need to fill out the GS4 after you have been admitted into the MPPA program formally (via the Graduate School application) but before you have graduated with your BA. A sample GS4 form is included here for reference.

Complete up to 9 credits of MPPA coursework during your senior year.

Apply for the MPPA program through CSU’s Graduate School during your senior year.

Complete the remaining coursework of your MPPA in the following year or more.

What will my experience be like once I am in the MPPA?

Testimonial

“The AMP has made me feel more prepared for life after graduation by giving me a clear path for my post bachelors studies into a professional degree. The MPPA classes I have taken so far have had great professional development opportunities, and offer a better understanding of the real world applications of what I learn in my undergraduate classes. Being an AMP student has allowed me to meet other people with similar interests who are at various points in their professional and academic careers which is a great way to learn about different career paths and opportunities. The faculty are all wonderful and really care about their students.”

— Thalia Gustina (’23), International Studies Major