Bachelor of Arts and Masters in International Relations Dual Degree 4+1

The 4+1 program in International Relations offers students the opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in International Relations within five years. Students will follow a sequence of courses for both the general education core and International Relations while taking additional graduate courses during the senior year. This option is available to both majors and minors in International Relations. Students admitted to the graduate program as an undergraduate may enroll in International Relations graduate courses as approved by the Program Director. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, students must complete the remaining course requirements necessary to be awarded the master’s degree.

1. All graduate courses are offered in the evenings and therefore do not clash with the undergraduate course schedule.
2. The 4+1 option is available to both IR majors and minors. Since IR is not a traditional undergraduate degree, many students discover their love for IR too late to declare it a major. The 4+1 degree gives them the option to use their minor towards a dual BA/MA degree.
3. Entering the 4+1 Program: Students who are interested in the 4+1 program may begin taking graduate courses their Senior year with a 3.0 GPA and/or permission of the graduate program director.
4. 4+1 Pathway Description: Students interested in the dual degree program can declare their interest any time before their senior year.
   1. IR majors can apply the two required core courses in Research Methods and IR Theory towards the graduate degree.
   2. IR minors can apply any two graduate elective courses towards the IR graduate degree.
   3. Both majors and minors will take three graduate courses in the 4th year of the undergraduate degree.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in the 4+1 will need to fill out an application and an interview with the Graduate Director. Students should apply no later than May of their junior year. In addition to completion of the written application, students must possess and maintain a 3.0 grade-point average to be eligible for early admission. Students will be admitted conditionally to the International Relations graduate program subject to maintaining a 3.0 grade-point average, and successfully being awarded a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in International Relations. In addition, candidates must provide three letters of recommendation, a resume, and complete a face-to-face interview.

Tuition, Fees and Aid

All courses taken prior to completion of the bachelor’s degree will be billed at the undergraduate tuition rate. Summer graduate courses will be billed at the graduate tuition rate. All courses taken after completion of the bachelor’s degree will be billed at the graduate tuition rate.

Any merit and talent scholarships earned, as well as any undergraduate financial aid awarded based upon filing the FAFSA, will be applicable during the fourth year of the 4+1 International Relations program as long as the student meets the following conditions: (1) has not earned bachelor’s, (2) remains registered as an undergraduate student, and (3) fourth year courses count both towards the final year of the undergraduate degree and the first two semesters of the graduate program.

Prior to the start of the first graduate summer semester, students will work with the Office of Financial Aid to update their current year FAFSA to reflect graduate program status. This revision will allow graduate aid to be processed.

Accelerated Curriculum

Students will be required to follow a course of study that includes taking graduate and undergraduate courses concurrently. Students are required to consult their academic advisor prior to registering for any course. A proper sequence of courses is required for students to complete the two degrees in the five-year time frame.

Students should schedule undergrad major and general education core during the first three academic years, and plan to save electives until their senior year.

• International Relations Major (IREL) Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts (4+1) curriculum guide
• International Relations Minor (IREL)/MA in International Relations 4+1 curriculum guide

Contact

If you have question regarding the International Relations 4+1 program, contact: