Accelerated MA

Earn a BA (majoring in Urban Studies) and a MA in Urban Affairs in 5 Years!

The Urban Studies Department offers an Accelerated MA program for eligible Urban Studies majors (and, on a case-by-case basis, majors in other social science disciplines) with an overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 or greater in the major.  The Accelerated MA program means you can earn a Queens College BA in Urban Studies and MA in Urban Affairs in five years.

After acceptance to the Accelerated MA program, students may take up to four 3-credit graduate-level Urban Studies elective courses while they are still undergraduates and these electives (up to a total of 12 credits) will count towards both the BA and MA degrees at the undergraduate rate.

When to Apply?

Students should apply to the Accelerated MA program around their upper sophomore or junior year (or approximately when students have reached 45-75 undergraduate credits and before reaching 120 credits).  Prior to reaching 120 undergraduate credits, the 12 credits of graduate courses will be billed at the undergraduate rate.

How To Apply:

To apply, log into the Accelerated Degrees Online Application System using your QC username and password (CAMS account credentials, not CUNYfirst) and submit an application. This online application requires:

• 500 word personal statement: Describe your short term goal (immediately after graduation) and long term (five to ten years from graduation) career goals. How does the social justice theme emphasized in Urban Studies influence your career plans?
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one should be from a professor or employer/internship supervisor).

For More Information:

Interested students should contact Prof. Alan Takeall (Alan.Takeall@qc.cuny.edu) for more information about the Accelerated MA in Urban Affairs program including how to apply.