CUPPAAccelerated

Two Public Policy students available to answer questions

A joint degree program between Public Policy or Urban Studies majors and almost any master’s degree program within CUPPA

The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) offers multiple joint degrees between our undergraduate degree majors in Public Policy or Urban Studies and almost any master’s degree program within CUPPA. Through the CUPPAAccelerated program, you can earn your undergraduate and graduate degree faster and save money!

CUPPAAcclerated Heading link

Diagram of Majors paired with Graduate Degree Programs.

CUPPAAccelerated is designed for Public Policy or Urban Studies majors who want to fast-track their graduate studies. Students will earn both a Bachelor of Art (BA) degree and a Master’s degree with nine hours of course work shared between the two degrees.

During their final terms of their respective undergraduate program, students in CUPPAAccelerated are granted access to enroll in and apply up to nine credit hours at the 400 level to our Public Administration (MPA), Public Policy (MPP), Civic Analytics (MSCA), or Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) graduate programs. This cross-department opportunity allows students the ability to expedite the time spent in their graduate program and save money in the process.

For more information and/or to speak to an advisor, email cuppa_advising@uic.edu.

Select A Major and Combine It With A Masters in Less Time. Heading link

Public Policy

Major in Public Policy in CUPPA with a pathway to a graduate degree in Public Administration (MPA), Public Policy (MPP), Civic Analytics (MSCA), or Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP).
Urban Studies

Major in Urban Studies in CUPPA with a pathway to a graduate degree in Public Administration (MPA), Public Policy (MPP), Civic Analytics (MSCA), or Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP).

How CUPPAAccelerated Works: From Bachelor's to Master’s Degree Heading link

Meet with your undergraduate advisor to indicate your interest in the CUPPAAccelerated program anywhere from second semester of junior year to second semester of senior year (the earlier the better).
Complete up to 9 credit hours of 400 level coursework related to your future master’s degree before you graduate.
Meet with your prospective graduate advisor to answer any questions and indicate which 400 level courses can transfer to the master’s program, for up to 9 shared credit hours.
Apply to the master’s degree by the appropriate deadline.
Students with a Major GPA of 3.4 complete their undergraduate degree of 120 credit hours.
During the first semester of your master’s program, meet with your graduate advisor to confirm which 400 level undergraduate courses will be shared with your master’s degree. There can only be up to nine shared credit hours between undergraduate and graduate degree.
Last, complete your master’s degree with your joint degree credit.