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 6 credits of the minor toward both the minor and the M.A.  

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 programs:

Political Science, Minor

Political Science and Public Affairs, M.A.

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 count up to 6 credits of graduate courses toward both the minor and the M.A.  Note that graduate courses are taken at the 5000 level.

Students may apply during the first semester of the junior year, although applications will be considered up to but not including the student's final semester of undergraduate work. 

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Courses for major and core 15
 Credits15
Spring
Courses for major and core 12
POLS 2xxxPolitical Thought Course 3
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
Courses for major and core 12
POLS 2xxxComparative Politics Course 3
 Credits15
Spring
Courses for major and core 12
POLS 3xxxAmerican Politics Course 3
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
Courses for major and core 12
POLS 3xxxComparative Politics Course 3
 Credits15
Spring
Courses for major and core 12
POLS 5510 Democratization 3
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
Courses for major and core 15
 Credits15
Spring
Courses for major and core 12
POLS 5730 Contemporary Political Ideologies 3
 Credits15
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
 Credits9
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
 Credits9
Summer
POLS 5910 Graduate Internship 6
 Credits6
 Total Credits144

Program Notes:

To count towards the accelerated MA, graduate courses should be taken at the 5000 level.