ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ offers one of the best master of arts programs in political science in the United States. The program is both rigorous and flexible, and it provides a strong foundation for further graduate or law study, as well as for careers in government or in non-governmental organizations which require an understanding of politics and public policy.
Marquette students can select the dual degree options offered below. The political science master's program is also available as an Accelerated Degree program, providing Marquette students an opportunity to earn their bachelor and master's degree in five years, saving significant time and money.
30
Credit Hours
2
Dual Degree Options
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Accelerated Degree Program
Dual degree programs
The following dual degree programs are currently only available to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ students. To view more information, select any of the programs below.
Four-Year Master's-Juris Doctor (M.A.-J.D.) Program in Political Science
The Department of Political Science, in conjunction with the Law School, offers a program of dual study leading to a master of arts degree in political science and a juris doctor degree.
Students seeking admission to the dual program must apply to both the Graduate School and the Law School and must meet the admission requirements for each, but their application to the Graduate School may include LSAT scores in lieu of GRE scores. Students start this dual program as a law student. Upon completion of the law program, students will be officially admitted to the political science program for completion of the remainder of the dual program.
Dual program students complete 81 credit hours in the Law School, 21 credit hours in political science, and 9 credit hours in dual program courses. In addition, applicants for the political science master of arts program who already hold a J.D. degree may request that a maximum of 9 credits from their previous law studies be counted toward the fulfillment of their master of arts degree requirements.
In general, dual program students will pay tuition at the full-time (flat tuition) Law School rate while a full-time law student, regardless of whether or not they are taking additional graduate courses. Upon receiving the juris doctor degree, dual program students will pay Graduate School tuition at the per credit rate for graduate courses. Part-time law students will pay the per credit Law School rate for all courses.
Additional details about the M.A.-J.D. program are available from the Political Science Department office or from the Law School Admissions office.
Political Science and Business Administration
The Department of Political Science, in conjunction with the Graduate School of Management, offers a program of dual study leading to a master of arts degree in political science and a master of business administration degree. The program is designed for students whose interests overlap business and politics. Dual degree students are able to complete both degree programs in less time than if both degrees were pursued separately.
Students seeking admission into the dual degree program must submit separate applications for admission to both the Graduate School and the Graduate School of Management, and must meet the admission requirements of each program. However, applicants may submit GMAT scores in lieu of GRE scores. Acceptance into one program does not guarantee acceptance into the other. If a student is accepted into one program and not the other, the student can still choose to accept the admission offer from the first program but would not be considered a dual degree student. Because students are officially admitted into only one ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ graduate program at a time, applicants must indicate which program they intend to pursue and complete first, although once accepted for admission to both programs, students may take courses from both schools. Upon completion of the first program, the student will be officially admitted to the second program for completion of the remainder of the dual program.
Dual degree students count 9 credits of course work in each program toward the required course work credits of the other program. Thus, 9 of the 40 credits required for the master of business administration degree beyond foundations, if required, will come from POSC courses, and 9 of the 30 credits required for the master of arts degree in political science will come from GSM courses.
Political Science and Communication
The Department of Political Science, in conjunction with the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication, offers a program of dual study leading to a master of arts degree in political science and a master of arts degree in communication. Dual degree students are able to complete both degree programs in less time than if both degrees were pursued separately.
Students seeking admission into the dual degree program must submit separate applications for admission to both programs to the Graduate School, and must meet the admission requirements of each program. Acceptance into one program does not guarantee acceptance into the other. If a student is accepted into one program and not the other, the student can still choose to accept the admission offer from the first program but would not be considered a dual degree student. Because students are officially admitted into only one ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ graduate program at a time, applicants must indicate which program they intend to pursue and complete first, although once accepted for admission to both programs, students may take courses from both departments. Upon completion of the first program, the student will be officially admitted to the second program for completion of the remainder of the dual program.
Dual degree students count 9 credits of course work in each program toward the required course work credits of the other program. Thus, 9 of the 36 credits required for the master of arts degree in communication will come from POSC courses, and 9 of the 30 credits required for the master of arts degree in political science will come from COMM courses.
From our students
"The M.A. program in political science at Marquette provided me with a solid foundation for my work as a Ph.D. candidate and researcher at the University of North Carolina. The main strength of the Program is a faculty committed to both high-level research and great dedication to their students. Altogether a great experience."
--Emanuel Coman, Master of Arts, Political Science
See what other Political Science Alumni have to say about our Political Science program.
Learn more about the political science program.
*required field
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Applicants undergraduate program should be sufficient in quality and scope to prepare the individual for specialized work in political science.
Read all application instructions prior to beginning an application.
1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.
2Upon admission, an official course-by-course transcript/academic record evaluation must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.
Students typically begin their studies in the fall of each acadmic year. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials for the fall term by the merit-based financial aid consideration deadline, February 15. The spring term merit-based financial aid deadline is November 15.
This department offers two sorts of financial aid, research assistantships (RA) and tuition scholarships. For a comprehensive listing of merit-based aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships) please visit the departmental financial aid web page. Private scholarships may also be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses as well.
Students interested in the Political Science graduate program may want to consider applying for the Trinity Fellows Program as well. Trinity Fellows is a graduate fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice. Trinity Fellows participate in a 21-month study/ work program while earning a master's degree. Those who have completed a full-time service program (minimum 10 months), and/or have worked for 2+ years in the nonprofit sector are eligible to apply. Details and instructions to apply are found on the Trinity Fellows website.
