This department in cooperation with the School of Law offers a joint degree program leading to a Master of Arts degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctor degree.

Students  must  first  be admitted to  the Law  School before applying for this joint degree program. Having entered the Law School, students may then apply for admission to the Master of Arts program in Political Science. Applicants must satisfy all admissions requirements for the Master of Arts in Political Science (see above), except for the Graduate Record Examination which is satisfied by Law School admission. Students should have some undergraduate background in the social sciences, including course work in American politics. Students lacking such preparation may be required to take course work in addition to the minimum required for the degree.

This degree is offered only as a Plan B master’s program requiring thirty-three credits including a three credit essay. Credit distribution must consist of twenty-one credits of political science including PS 5630, PS 7660, and the essay credit; and twelve credits in law courses. Programs integrating course selections from the two principal areas are developed on an individual basis. 

Upon completion of these M.A. requirements and the Law School requirements for the J.D., students are awarded both degrees. Students should begin course work in the Law School and complete the required first year curriculum before taking any Political Science courses. Subsequently, a combination of political science and law courses may be taken. For further information regarding the joint program, students should consult the Department's Director of Graduate Studies.

Academic Scholarship: All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.