Program Overview

Political Science BA/MA Dual Degree Program

The 2+3 Combined BA/MA program in Political Science provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to complete the requirements for both degrees in 5 years of full-time study.

The combined program requires a minimum of 140 credit hours of which at least 33 must be at the graduate level in political science. In qualifying for the BA, students must meet all University and College requirements. Students in the combined 2+3 who successfully complete the requirements for the MA degree will be awarded a BA degree simultaneously upon completion of at least 107 hours of undergraduate credit.

Admission Requirements

• Students should apply to the Department for admission to the 2+3 combined degree program in Political Science during the semester they will complete 60 undergraduate credit hours.
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and two letters of recommendation from faculty are required.
• Students will be admitted to the 2+3 program under provisional status until they have completed 30 hours in that program with a grade point of 3.0 or higher.
• After completion of the provisional period, with the recommendation of the Graduate Director, students can be granted full admission into the 2+3 program.

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate Requirements for Students in the 2+3 Program

A. The following must be completed prior to enrolling in the 2+3 program

• POL SCI 1100: Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) - 3 hours
• POL SCI 1500: Introduction to Comparative Politics (MOTR POSC 202) - 3 hours
• Select two of the following: - 6 hours
  • POL SCI 1800: Introduction to International Politics (MOTR POSC 201)
  • POL SCI 2300: State Politics
  • POL SCI 2350: Introduction to Urban Politics
  • POL SCI 2400: Public Administration
• Total Hours: 12

B. Undergraduate Requirements Within the 2+3 Program

• Select two of the following: - 6 hours
  • POL SCI 2280: Judicial Politics
  • POL SCI 3200: Constitutional Law
  • POL SCI 3210: Civil Liberties
  • POL SCI 2330: The American Presidency
  • POL SCI 2331: Congressional Politics
  • POL SCI 3350: Political Parties and Elections
  • POL SCI 3470: Negotiation, Collective Bargaining, and Dispute Resolution
  • POL SCI 3480: Environmental Policy
• Select two of the following: - 6 hours
  • POL SCI 2510: The Politics of European Union
  • POL SCI 2530: Political Systems of South America
  • POL SCI 2540: Political Systems of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
  • POL SCI 2580: African Politics
  • POL SCI 3500: The Politics of the Middle East: International and National Dynamics
  • POL SCI 3830: International Political Economy
  • POL SCI 3850: International Organizations and Global Problem-Solving
• Select one additional course from B-1 or B-2. - 3 hours
• Total Hours: 15

Graduate Requirements

• POL SCI 6401: Introduction to Policy Research - 3 hours
• Select three of the following: - 9 hours
  • POL SCI 6420: Proseminar in Public Law
  • POL SCI 6430: Proseminar in American Politics
  • POL SCI 6440: Public Administration: Theory & Practice
  • POL SCI 6450:
  • POL SCI 6470: Proseminar in Urban Politics
  • POL SCI 6480:
• Select five additional graduate Political Science classes. - 15 hours
• Select Exit Project or Internship or Thesis - 6 hours
• Total Hours: 33

Summary of Credits in Political Science

• BA: 27 hours (12 completed in lower division courses before admission to the 2+3 program)
• MA: 33 hours at the graduate level
• TOTAL: 60 hours in Political Science classes

Academic Performance

• Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout the combined program.
• Students who officially withdraw from the 2+3 combined degree program, who have successfully completed all the regular requirements for the BA degree (120 hours) will be awarded their BA degree.