Political Science, Minor to M.A. Accelerated Program
Saint Louis University's accelerated minor to Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Affairs offers academically advanced students enrolled in the 18-credit political science minor the opportunity to reduce time to complete both the minor and the M.A. by counting six credits of the minor toward both the minor and the M.A.
SLU students may choose to pursue a minor in political science in addition to their chosen major.
For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following SLU programs:
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate political science minors at SLU with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.40, overall and in political science courses, who also have completed a political science or other social science research methods course, and whose academic record demonstrates the capacity for graduate work may apply to this accelerated program.
There is an expedited admission process that requires no fee or national board test scores.
Students may apply as early as their sophomore year, and applications will be considered up to but not including the student's final semester of undergraduate work.
Program Requirements
Students may count up to 6 credits of graduate courses toward both the minor and the M.A. Note that graduate courses should be taken at the 5000 level.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Courses for major and core | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Courses for major and core | 12 | |
| POLS 2xxx | Political Thought Course | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Courses for major and core | 12 | |
| POLS 2xxx | Comparative Politics Course | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Courses for major and core | 12 | |
| POLS 3xxx | American Politics Course | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Courses for major and core | 12 | |
| POLS 3xxx | Comparative Politics Course | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Courses for major and core | 12 | |
| POLS 5510 | Democratization | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Courses for major and core | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Courses for major and core | 12 | |
| POLS 5730 | Contemporary Political Ideologies | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Five | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 5020 | Advanced Topics in Research Methods | 3 |
| POLS 5550 | Politics of Economic Development | 3 |
| POLS 5690 | Theories of World Politics | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 5350 | Issues in Public Policy | 3 |
| POLS 5530 | Authoritarian Politics: Rigging Elections and Clinging to Power | 3 |
| POLS 5650 | War, Peace, and Politics | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| POLS 5910 | Graduate Internship | 6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 144 | |
Program Notes:
To count towards the accelerated MA, graduate courses should be taken at the 5000 level.