The combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program is designed for superior students who have the ability to pursue an accelerated program in political science leading to the Master of Arts in Political Science or the Master of Arts in Political Science-International Relations. This program is not generally recommended for students considering a Ph.D. program in Political Science at the University of Florida.
Students in the combined program may pursue the general M.A. in Political Science, the M.A. in Political Science – International Relations, or the certificate program in Political Campaigning.
Program Features
The main feature of the program is that up to 12 semester hours of approved graduate level political science courses may be used as dual credit for both the undergraduate and graduate degree. All other requirements for both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree must be met.
Tuition for graduate credit hours is higher than tuition for undergraduate credit hours. Undergraduate students taking graduate credit may apply Florida Bright Futures and/or Florida Medallion Scholarships to the cost of graduate tuition, but students will be responsible for the amounts not covered by those scholarships. Graduate and undergraduate tuition rates are posted here.
Application to Program
Applicants to the program will present:
- A completed Department application form (docx or pdf)
- A completed CLAS BA/MA form
- Completion of at least 24 semester hours at the University of Florida (including at least 12 semester hours of Political Science) with a GPA of 3.7 or better
- Letters of recommendation from two faculty members, at least one of whom in the Department of Political Science
Admission to the program will be determined jointly by the Undergraduate Coordinator and the Graduate Coordinator (as well as permission from the field the student is interested in), any of whom may request an interview prior to admitting the student to the program.
Retention in the Program
After admission into the accelerated program and before admission into the graduate program, students will:
- Obtain approval by the Undergraduate and Graduate Coordinators of a proposed program of study (as well as permission from the field the student is interested in) to fulfill the requirements for both the B.A. and M.A. degrees, which may include up to 12 semester hours of approved graduate level course work as dual credit toward both degrees, and
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better in all course work, and a GPA of 3.5 or better in Political Science course work.
- After completing 90 hours and before completing 110 hours of course work, accelerated students will apply for admission to the Graduate program.
Awarding of Degrees
Upon completion of all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, the student will need to apply for graduation, and such degree will be awarded to the student by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. After graduating with the BA degree, the student will then apply online to the graduate program in Political Science. Subsequently, after the student has completed the requirements for the Master of Arts degree (including the dual credit courses), such degree will be awarded to the student by the Graduate School.
Sample Schedule for a Combined Program
General M.A. in Political Science or International Relations (Thesis Option)
Fourth Year – Fall
- POS 6045, CPO 6091, INR 6607 or POT 6xxx*
- POS 6736 Conduct of Inquiry*
Fourth Year – Spring
- POS 6737 Data Analysis*
- POS/INR/PAD/CPO/PUP/POT 6xxx*
Summer
- PAD 6946 Internship (3 hours)
- POS/INR/PAD/CPO/PUP/POT 5935 (3 hours)
Fifth Year – Fall
- Nine graduate hours plus
- POS 6971 MA Thesis (3)
Fifth Year – Spring
- Six graduate hours plus
- POS 6971 MA Thesis (3)
* May double count toward B.A. and M.A. degrees