Accelerated B.A./M.A Program in Political Science
This program allows outstanding undergraduates to begin the coursework for the Master of Arts in Political Science during their senior year. Students are encouraged to begin planning to enter the Accelerated B.A./M.A. program early in their undergraduate career, in consultation with their advisor in the Department of Political Science.
Working with the undergraduate and graduate academic coordinators, undergraduates selected into this program begin a carefully tailored course of study which will allow them to complete their B.A. degree while they also begin the coursework toward their M.A.
To apply, students must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, and must submit two reference letters and a copy of their transcript to the Political Science department. Each applicant will complete an interview with the graduate academic coordinator in political science.
Students must also apply to the Graduate School for the accelerated B.A./M.A. program, which allows them to take graduate courses in political science. To continue in the program past the B.A., students must apply for full admission into the Graduate School and into the Political Science department’s M.A. program.
Only in ABM programs, up to 9 hours of graduate course work may be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. However, any graduate coursework will not apply to undergraduate GPA.
Honors Program
The department offers an honors program to qualified majors who choose to pursue a more sophisticated knowledge of the discipline, a more rigorous level of analysis, and a deeper understanding of politics. Students who have completed 55 hours of course work (with at least 9 hours in Political Science), have an inclusive grade point average of at least 3.0 and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 in the major, or who can present equivalent qualifications, are invited to apply for admission to the program.
The program requires 18 hours of honors course work, 12 or more of which must be upper-division Political Science courses, and minimum final grade point averages of 3.00 overall, 3.25 in Political Science, and 3.25 in honors coursework. Honors students also have the option of completing a Senior Thesis in Political Science (POLS 4999 ). Those students who complete the program and the regular college requirements will be recognized at the commencement ceremony by having their degrees conferred “With Honors in Political Science.” Moreover, the student’s diploma and the record at the University of Memphis will reflect this distinction. Details of the program are available in the Political Science Office.
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