The Double Dawg Program will give high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to earn their MPA with a top-ranked program (4th in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 rankings of more than 250 public affairs masters programs nationwide). In the program they will learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of public management and policy in order to prepare them for careers in public service with government agencies and nonprofit organizations. The MPA degree greatly expands the employment outlook for graduates, with over 96% of UGA MPA alumni finding employment within 6 months of graduation. Furthermore, many government positions now prefer and even require a master’s degree for entry and graduates from MPA programs nationwide have increased earning potential by $18,000 per year over those who only possess a bachelor’s degree.While the academic opportunities within the program are unmatched, the professional relationships that Double Dawg students will be able to forge outside the classroom cannot be underestimated. Students will interact and network with employers and public sector professionals through UGA MPA alumni events, internships, as well as with the department’s cosponsor, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. While most students seek the MPA as their final professional degree, the Double Dawg Program will also allow students to earn their MPA with the ability of later entering a PhD or other advanced degree programs and pursuing careers in academia.Sources: https://www.naspaa.org/resources/career-resourceshttps://spia.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021-Employment-Fact-Sheet.pdf