Accelerated Federal Career Track | Public Service Academy

Why the Accelerated Federal Career Track (AFCT)?

As a specialized pathway within the Next Generation Service Corps (NGSC), the Accelerated Federal Career Track (AFCT) is designed for students who are ready to pursue leadership in the federal public service sector through an accelerated, immersive, and academically rigorous experience. AFCT equips students with the skills, credentials, and professional exposure needed to lead across systems and make a meaningful impact at the national level.

Students in AFCT are prepared to navigate complex federal challenges, build cross-sector networks, and step confidently into public service careers through a structured pathway that blends leadership development, real-world experience, and advanced education.

Serve with purpose. Lead with integrity. Build a future in federal service.

Program Overview

Over the course of 3 years in the AFCT, students complete the following:

An accelerated Master of Public Administration degree (MPA)
An academic certificate in Cross Sector Leadership - upon completion of the five required courses
Three internships - one in each of the private, public, and nonprofit sectors
One titled leadership role
Active Mission Team engagement
Attendance at our two mandatory in person events each semester
Living, Interning, and taking courses at the ASU Center in Washington D.C. for the final three semesters

Ideal Candidates

Students with a strong interest in federal public service who are motivated to lead at the national level and address complex societal challenges through government action.

Students who see public service not simply as a career, but as a responsibility and who are ready to engage deeply in an accelerated academic and professional pathway that demands commitment, curiosity, and resilience.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Accelerated Federal Career Track you must withhold and maintain the following:

Currently an active ASU student who is on track to be a Junior in credit hours by Fall entry
Currently holds and is able to maintain a minimum of 3.4 cumulative GPA
Is able to map into the accelerated MPA

Application Process

Step 1: Review Eligibility Criteria and Program Information

Step 2: Complete the Online Application, which includes:

A statement of purpose
Most recent transcripts (unofficial)
Resume or CV
2 References

Step 3: Interview Round

Applicants who made it to the next round are invited to a virtual interview. This is an opportunity for applicants to further discuss their qualifications, aspirations, and ask any questions about the program.

Step 4: Notification of Results

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application via email. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline.

Application Deadline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline or until all spots are filled. Applications open October 15th with the final deadline on May 15th. For a Fall semester start (only start one time a year). Ready to apply? Click this link to go to the application: Apply Here

Public Service Academy Scholarship and Sackton Fellowship

While enrolled in the Accelerated Federal Career Track (AFCT), students are also members of the Next Generation Service Corps (NGSC) and students at Arizona State University, working toward their undergraduate degree while completing an accelerated Master's in Public Administration. AFCT students engage in rigorous coursework, leadership development, service, and immersive professional experiences that require a significant commitment of time and active participation. To support students in this intensive pathway, AFCT participants may be eligible for the Public Service Academy (PSA) Scholarship and the Sackton Fellowship.

Public Service Academy (PSA) Scholarship

AFCT students may be eligible to receive the Public Service Academy Scholarship, which supports undergraduate tuition while students are enrolled in NGSC.

Eligibility & Renewal

Renewable for up to 7 semesters for AFCT Students at the undergraduate rate
Continued eligibility is contingent on meeting program and academic requirements

In-State (Resident) Students

Covers up to base tuition
Award is calculated as: PSA Award = Base Tuition - All Other Scholarships and Grants

Out-of-State (Non-Resident) and International Students

Up to $17,500 annually
Total university funding (including PSA and all other ASU scholarships and grants) is capped at $17,500 per year
If a student receives additional ASU scholarships, the PSA award will just be adjusted so the total does not exceed the annual cap

Sackton Fellowship

AFCT students are also eligible for the Sackton Fellowship, a cohort-based award designed to support students during their final two semesters while living and interning in Washington, D.C.

Total Fellowship Amount: $7,000 per cohort
Disbursement: Split around AFCT students across their final two DC-based semesters
Intended to help offset costs associated with the immersive federal experience

See more about the Sackton Fellowship

Accelerated MPA & Cross-Sector Leadership Certificate

As participants in the Accelerated Federal Career Track (AFCT) of the Next Generation Service Corps, students earn a Certificate in Cross-Sector Leadership through the School of Public Affairs. Within AFCT, the certificate prepares students for federal public service leadership, emphasizing how government works in collaboration with nonprofit, private, and military sectors to address complex societal challenges.

The curriculum centers on values-based, character-driven leadership, ethical decision-making, and systems thinking within federal and intergovernmental contexts. Through project-based coursework, students develop practical skills in cross-sector collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and leading change across institutions. The certificate culminates in a capstone thesis or applied project that integrates academic learning with students’ federal internship and professional experiences. The Certificate in Cross-Sector Leadership is a required component of the Accelerated Federal Career Track and is limited to students participating in the Public Service Academy’s Next Generation Service Corps.

PAF 115: Foundations of Cross Sector Leadership (3), must be completed in first semester

PAF 215: NGSC Community Impact Lab (3), includes Barrett Honors Credit

PAF 315: Cross-Sector Collaboration (CIVI) (3)

PAF 574: Diversity, Ethics and Leading Public Change (3) - (to be taken during Masters program)

PAF 503: Public Affairs (3) - (to be taken during Masters program)

Living in Washington D.C.

Living in Washington, DC is a defining part of the Accelerated Federal Career Track (AFCT) experience. As the nation’s capital, DC offers students the opportunity to live, learn, and work at the center of the federal government, surrounded by policymakers, public servants, and organizations shaping national and global change.

During their full calendar-year residency (June–May), AFCT students complete an internship while enrolling in full-time Master of Public Administration (MPA) coursework at ASU's Washington, D.C Center This immersive structure allows students to integrate academic with real world federal experience, strengthening their professional skills and deepening their understanding of public service in action. Beyond professional growth, students build independence, community, and clarity around their future in federal leadership.

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