Master's in Political Science

Master's and Juris Doctor Degree

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.

Master’s in Political Science and MBA degree

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 Marquette University 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.

Master's in 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 Marquette University 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.