Accelerated Program

The La Follette School of Public Affairs provides selected UW–Madison undergraduates an opportunity to jumpstart the Master of Public Affairs or Master of International Public Affairs program.


Accepted students take specific graduate Public Affairs courses in the last year of their undergraduate program. After completing their undergraduate degree, students begin a fifth graduate year devoted to full-time graduate study with the La Follette School.

How to apply

Application for admission to the accelerated program for MPA or MIPA must be made directly to the La Follette School after five semesters of undergraduate study.

Curriculum

Final Undergraduate Year


In addition to courses needed to complete a BA or BS, students take 3-4 courses depending on their undergraduate course work:

  • Fall: 4-7 credits, students choose from core courses
  • Spring: 3-6 credits, students choose from core and elective courses
  • Undergraduate degree conferred in May or August

Graduate Year


  • Summer: optional internship (0-3 credits)
  • Fall: 9-12 credits
  • Spring: 9-12 credits
  • MPA or MIPA degree conferred in May or August

Accelerated students and graduate certificates

It is difficult and uncommon for students in the accelerated program to pursue a graduate certificate along with their accelerated master’s degree. This is due to scheduling constraints in the reduced credit accelerated program as well as policies in other departments that limit the eligibility of undergraduate students to take credits toward a graduate certificate.

If you wish to discuss your options further, you can contact the Graduate Program Manager at mcoconnor@lafollette.wisc.edu after you have been admitted to the accelerated program.