St. Kate's Provost Denise Baird, PhD, President Marcheta Evans, PhD, and Humphrey School Dean Nisha Botchwey signed this historic Memorandum of Understanding at an event in May.
Accelerated pathways program will allow Public Policy students to complete master's degree-level coursework in their final undergraduate year.
St. Catherine University and the University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, creating an accelerated pathways program for St. Kate’s Public Policy students. When this program opens in fall 2027, students can begin master’s degree-level coursework in their final undergraduate year of study, completing undergraduate and master’s degrees in a combined five years.
“Partnerships like this are exactly how we reimagine the future of higher education — by creating innovative, student-centered pathways that remove barriers, accelerate opportunity, and prepare the next generation of leaders for meaningful impact,” said Marcheta Evans, PhD, president of St. Catherine University. “I am especially excited that our students will now have the ability to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in just five years, saving valuable time while expanding their career opportunities and earning potential. This partnership with the Humphrey School reflects our shared commitment to academic excellence, access, and developing diverse leaders who will help shape public policy and strengthen communities for generations to come.”
First of its kind partnership between University of Minnesota and St. Kate’s
St. Kate’s is the first non-University of Minnesota undergraduate partner to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. In the accelerated pathways program, qualified St. Kate’s undergraduate students will use master's degree-level courses taken at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs to complete their undergraduate degree at St. Kate’s while simultaneously making progress toward a master's degree at the University. Students then transition to the graduate program and complete their master's degree as graduate students. The eligible master’s degree programs offered by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs include Public Policy; Development Practice; Human Rights; Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy; and Urban and Regional Planning.
“The Humphrey School is excited to work with St. Catherine University to create a direct path into our graduate programs for students who might not otherwise see that opportunity,” said Humphrey School dean Nisha Botchwey. “As a school of public affairs, we are committed to expanding pathways into public service education and increasing access and diversity among our applicants. This new program is designed to do just that.”
Student Eligibility
St. Kate’s College for Women students who are studying for a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy are eligible to apply for the pathway program. They should declare their major before applying to the University of Minnesota. Applications will open January 15, 2027, and the first cohort will start classes at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in the fall 2027 semester.