Combined Programs

A group of four students talking at their desks in a political science class

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.

Combined Political Science Program

Combined Public Policy & Administration Programs

Combined Political Management Programs

Combined BA/MA in Political Science

Students taking notes as a professor lectures

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.

How to Apply

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:

A statement of purpose
A letter of recommendation from a current faculty member
A résumé or CV

Course Requirements

All requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Arts in Political Science degrees must be fulfilled.

Combined Public Policy and Public Administration Programs

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.

How to Apply

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:

A statement of purpose
A letter of recommendation from a current faculty member
A résumé or CV

BA/MPA Course Requirements

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.

BA/MPP Course Requirements

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.

Combined Political Management Programs

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.

How to Apply

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:

3.3 GPA in all GW coursework.
Personal statement: In an essay of roughly 250-500 words, please explain why you are interested in pursuing the five-year option and why you should be considered for admission. Among the issues you should address are these: What intellectual issues in political science do you find intriguing? Why are you interested in graduate studies in the field? What special skills and knowledge can you contribute to the graduate program?
Two letters of recommendation from Political Science Department faculty, to be submitted through the online application.

GSPM Application Deadlines

Students must apply to the MPS program in the last semester of undergraduate coursework.

Fall admission: June 15
Spring admission: November 15
Summer admission: April 15

BA/MPS in Legislative Affairs Course Requirements

All requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Professional Studies in Legislative Affairs degrees must be fulfilled.

Double-Counted Courses

Students must choose three of four specific legislative affairs courses to be double-counted for both undergraduate and graduate program credit:

LGAF 6201 Politics and Public Policy
LGAF 6202 Legislative Politics
LGAF 6203 Executive Legislative Relations
LGAF 6204 Research Methods

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.

BA/MPS in Political Management Course Requirements

All requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Professional Studies in Political Management degrees must be fulfilled.

Double-Counted Courses

Students pursuing a BA/MPS should plan to choose three of four specific graduate courses as an undergraduate:

PMGT 6401: Fundamentals of Political Management
PMGT 6402: Applied Political Communications
PMGT 6403 Political Data and Analytics
PMGT 6404: Principled Political Leadership