Designed for high-achieving students in political science, combined degree programs allow students to complete a master’s degree on an accelerated timeline by double-counting some classes toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The Political Science Department offers five combined degree options, catered to students interested in advanced study of political science, public administration, public policy, legislative affairs and political management.
The combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Political Science allows students to take nine graduate credits as part of their undergraduate program. Students in the BA/MA program learn the core principles of political science and go on to master one of three tracks: American Politics, World Politics or Law and Politics.
Questions? Contact the Director of Graduate Studies for this combined program.
Students interested in the dual degree program should confer with the department's graduate adviser early in their junior year. Once the student reaches 60 credits, they should consult with the Political Science Department's Undergraduate Advisor. They may apply after completing 75 credits (end of junior year) and proceed with the CCAS Combined Degree application process.
Note: 75 credits would be SPRING of junior year if students had averaged 15 credits a semester.
GRE scores are not required. In addition to the form, the Department of Political Science requires students to submit to the department office:
All requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Arts in Political Science degrees must be fulfilled.
The Department of Political Science and the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration jointly offer two combined undergraduate/graduate degree options: a BA in Political Science/Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a BA in Political Science/Master of Public Policy (MPP).
The BA/MPA and BA/MPP combined degree programs substitute 12 graduate-level credits for upper-division undergraduate courses, allowing students to complete the graduate degree on a shorter timeline. The BA/MPA program is available to all undergraduate political science majors. However, the BA/MPP program is available only to undergraduate political science majors doing the public policy focus.
Questions? Contact the Professional Advisor (Public Policy) for these combined programs.
Students interested in the dual degree program should confer with the department's graduate adviser early in their junior year. Once the student reaches 60 credits, they should consult with the Political Science Department's Undergraduate Advisor. They may apply after completing 75 credits (end of junior year) and proceed with the CCAS Combined Degree application process.
Note: that 75 credits would be SPRING of junior year if students had averaged 15 credits a semester.
GRE scores are not required. In addition to the form, the Department of Political Science requires students to submit to the department office:
All requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Public Administration degrees must be fulfilled.
The combined degree program substitutes 12 graduate-level credits for upper-division undergraduate courses, allowing students to complete the degree on a shorter timeline. Upon admission, students are granted 12 credits of advanced standing, leaving them with only 28 credit hours to complete the MPA degree. Students must obtain advisor approval for their 12 chosen credits.
All requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Arts in Public Policy degrees must be fulfilled.
Similar to the BA/MPA degree, the BA/MPP degree program substitutes 12 graduate-level credits from the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration for upper-division undergraduate courses, allowing students to complete the degree on a shorter timeline. Students must obtain advisor approval for their 12 chosen credits.
The Department of Political Science and the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) jointly offer two BA in Political Science/Master of Professional Studies (MPS) combined degree options.
The BA/MPS in Political Management degree prepares students to plan and win campaigns for elective office and policy positions and find ethical solutions to political dilemmas. Students learn about topics like principled leadership and how to analyze political data. Three political management courses are double-counted for undergraduate and graduate credit.
The BA/MPS in Legislative Affairs is ideal for political science majors interested in careers in legislative affairs and politics. Three legislative affairs courses are double-counted for undergraduate and graduate credit.
Questions? Contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for these combined programs.
Once students have completed 60 undergraduate credits, they may proceed with the official GSPM application process. GRE scores are not required. The application materials must include:
Students must apply to the MPS program in the last semester of undergraduate coursework.
All requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Professional Studies in Legislative Affairs degrees must be fulfilled.
Students must choose three of four specific legislative affairs courses to be double-counted for both undergraduate and graduate program credit:
These courses will count for three of the four upper-level elective courses required for the political science major and may be taken during the second semester of junior year and throughout the senior year.
All requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Professional Studies in Political Management degrees must be fulfilled.
Students pursuing a BA/MPS should plan to choose three of four specific graduate courses as an undergraduate:
