Introduction
The BA-MA Honors (Political Science) program, adopted in 1987 and implemented in 1990, is designed to develop and strengthen the training of competent political scientists. It is a five-year honors program that combines Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees that are offered by the department. It is designed to develop and strengthen the training of competent political scientists in the substantive fields of Political Science through the development of their research skills.
Students are admitted into the program after their second year in the BA (Political Science) program. They are then expected to complete the BA Honors component of the BA-MA program within two years before completing the MA Honors component within one additional year. In the process, students will be required to take four readings courses (POLSC 140 series) in place of taking the comprehensive exams required under the regular MA (Political Science) program in addition to the requirements of the regular BA (Political Science) program. They will also begin taking graduate level classes during their fourth year. Lastly, BA-MA Honors students are expected to complete both an undergraduate and graduate thesis in their fourth and fifth years respectively.
Program Outcomes
The BA-MA Honors (Political Science) Program Outcomes consist of the following:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the breadth of seminal theories in the different areas of Political Science;
- Design, develop, and implement research using a variety of applicable methods to analyze historical and contemporary political issues in local, national, regional and global concerns;
- Communicate advanced knowledge in Political Science to various publics and audiences; and
- Commit to critical thinking, scholarly excellence, and ethical conduct in teaching, research, and public service.
Curriculum
Admission and Retention Guidelines
Admission is open only to, by the midyear, incoming third-year BA (Political Science) students. Additionally, prospective students
- must have completed at least 63 units
- must have a GWA of at least 1.75
- must not have incurred a grade of 4.00, 5.00, or F (except PE, NSTP, and Math 20)
- must not have been underloaded in any semester
If you meet all these requirements but did not receive an invitation during the midyear, reach out to your program adviser.
If you received an invitation but do not meet all these requirements, reach out to the BA-MA Honors program coordinator (details below).
To be retained in the program, BA-MA Honors (Political Science) students
- must have a GWA of at least 1.75 at the end of each semester
- must not incur a grade of DRP, INC, 4.00, 5.00, or F at the end of each semester
- must not be underloaded in each semester
- must finish the BA Honors component in two academic years (four semesters and only one midyear term in your third year; you cannot take a midyear term in your fourth year)
- must finish the MA Honors component in one academic year (two semesters only; you must finish by the second semester)
- BA and MA theses must be approved by the CSSP Ethics Review Board
- may not join in any exchange program at any point
If you fail to meet any of these requirements, you will be automatically reverted to the BA (Political Science) program.
For more information on the BA-MA Honors program, consult your adviser.
Other Documents
BA-MA Honors Program Coordinator
 | Edcel John A. Ibarra Assistant Professor of Political Science BA-MA Honors Program Coordinator |