The Department of Health Care and Public Administration offers an accelerated program that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Public Administration in Public Administration in only five years. In the student's senior year, he or she will complete 12 graduate credits in required courses. Upon successful completion of the 120 undergraduate credits required for the baccalaureate degree, the student will not receive the B.S. degree, but will be awarded 12 credits of advanced standing in the M.P.A. in Public Administration program. The student will then be required to complete 30 credits in the graduate program, rather than the standard 48 credits required. After completing the 30 credits and meeting all the graduation requirements, the student will be awarded both the B.S. and M.P.A. degrees. If, for any reason, the student, after completing the 120 undergraduate credits, forgoes the M.P.A. degree, then he or she will be entitled to the B.S. in Public Administration.