The Accelerated BSPA to MSEd-HEA program is an opportunity for talented, globally-focused students to complete their Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (BSPA) and Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration (MSEd-HEA) degrees in five years. Students who have applied and been accepted into the program begin taking MSEd-HEA courses in their senior year and can count them toward their BSPA and MSEd-HEA degrees.

 The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs major prepares students to analyze problems and effectively solve issues with the principal goal of enhancing all aspects of public life. It prepares students to tackle social justice issues and uplift our communities both domestically and internationally. The emphasis is on establishing a strong foundation of skills focusing on policy, advocacy, and analysis/critical thinking.

 The Master of Science in Education, Higher Education Administration (MSEd-HEA) prepares students for leadership and supervisory positions in higher education institutions, as well as in advocacy organizations and research centers focused on post-secondary education. The curriculum covers key aspects of college administration, including governing institutions, organizing academic departments and offices, delivering student services, preparing and implementing budgets, managing collective bargaining, and conducting educational research. Contemporary topics are explored, such as online education, change management, and the globalization of higher education. In addition to Marxe faculty, senior CUNY administrators teach in the program. Graduates pursue careers as executives, directors, coordinators, and analysts of programs and services. 

Admissions and Enrollment Process

BSPA students with a 3.0 GPA can apply when they’ve completed 60 credits (usually spring of their junior year) and the following pre-requisites:

PAF 1250 Citizenship and Public Affairs or POL 1101 American Politics
ENG 2150 Writing II
MTH 1023 or MTH 1030 or placement higher than 1030
MTH 2140 or 2160 or 2001 or 2003 or 2009 or 2206 or 2207 or 2600 or  2610 or BIO 2100 or PSY 2100 or STA 2000                                                                               

Marxe School advisors will provide accepted students with a curriculum map for completing both degrees. Accepted students can begin taking MSEd-HEA courses once they have been accepted to the MSEd-HEA degree (usually their senior year).

 Accelerated BSPA to MSEd-HEA Curriculum (141/144 Credits)

The accelerated BSPA to MSEd-HEA curriculum requires 141/144 credits total and includes 36/39 credits of the MSEd-HEA degree (the higher credit number includes a required internship course for any student who does not have a full year of experience working in the field of higher education). Graduate courses fulfill some undergraduate requirements, including 6 credits of General Electives and 9 credits of BSPA electives. Students can take any of the MSEd-HEA required and elective courses in place of these 15 undergraduate credits.

* Students completing the Accelerated BSPA to MSEd-HEA program will fulfill 6 credits of their general electives by completing two MSEd-HEA elective courses.

 ** Students completing the Accelerated BSPA to MSEd-HEA program will fulfill 9 credits of their BSPA electives by completing three MSEd-HEA elective courses.

***Due to overlapping course content with PAF 3401, students completing the Accelerated BSPA to MSEd-HEA program can receive a waiver for the following MSEd-HEA requirement: PAF 9317 Research for the Educational Administrator OR PAF 9270 Data Collection and Description. Students will select an approved MSEd-HEA elective in place of this requirement so that they still directly complete 36/39 graduate credits.

 **** Students with a minimum of one year of professional experience in higher education administration are exempt from PAF 9322.