The combined degree program between the Department of Political Science and The Bush School of Government and Public Service allows undergraduate Political Science students to enter the Master of Public Service Program, with a focus in Public Policy Analysis, at the beginning of their fourth year at Texas A&M University. This program combines the teaching of analytical thinking skills and applications to better understand human behavior as it relates to public policy and management along with skills in leadership and research methods.
Students will be required to complete the same curriculum as other students admitted to the Bush School’s MPSA program. At the completion of the program, students are prepared for a wide variety of post-graduate opportunities including: employment in local, state or federal government, non-profit organizations, or government contracting.
Students interested in this program will apply during the spring semester of their junior year and, if admitted, begin taking masters-level courses in the fall semester of their senior year with an undergraduate classification. Students are reclassified as degree seeking master's students upon completing the first two semesters of the program. Prior to being reclassified, a student must have completed all requirements for their bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
Plan of Study Grid | First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ENGL 104 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
| 3 |
| 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Spring |
|---|
| POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| 3 |
| 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| POLS 200 | Foundations of Political Science | 3 |
| 3 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 18 |
| Spring |
|---|
| POLS 209 | Introduction to Political Science Research 4 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 18 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 6 |
| Introduction to Political Theory | |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | |
| Introduction to World Politics | |
| Politics and Policy in the United States | |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 3 | 1 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 3 |
| Introduction to Political Theory | |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | |
| Introduction to World Politics | |
| Politics and Policy in the United States | |
| 5 | 3 |
| 3 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 18 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| BUSH 631 | Quantitative Methods in Public Management I 6 | 3 |
| PSAA 601 | Foundations of Public Service 7 | 3 |
| PSAA 621 | Economic Analysis 7 | 3 |
| PSAA 643 | Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector 7 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 12 |
| Spring |
|---|
| PSAA 611 | Public Policy Formation 6 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 8 | 3 |
| 8 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 12 |
| Fifth Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| PSAA 675 | Public Service and Administration Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| 8 | 3 |
| 8 | 3 |
| 8 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 12 |
| Spring |
|---|
| PSAA 676 | Public Service and Administration Capstone Seminar II | 3 |
| 8 | 3 |
| 8 | 3 |
| 8 | 3 |
| | Semester Credit Hours | 12 |
| | Total Semester Credit Hours | 150 |
No more than 36 credits in political science may be applied to the degree.
A grade of C or better is required for a course to be counted in the major field.
Other courses may qualify for the college and university requirements. Student should consult the approved list of courses in the Undergraduate Student Services Office. No course can be counted in more than one category.
Students are reclassified as degree seeking master's students typically in the second year of the graduate portion of this program.
The program includes a total of 168 hours which up to 18 hours may be applied toward both the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Public Service Administration.
Graduation requirements include a requirement for 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a Core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. Select in consultation with an academic advisor.
