The Institute for Public Service in conjunction with the government department in the College of Arts and Sciences offers a joint degree program in public administration and political science.

This 18-course (54 credit) program consists of:

• 8 required MPA courses (24 credits)
• 2 MPA electives (6 credits)
• 5 required Government (Political Science) courses (15 credits)
• 3 Government (Political Science) electives (9 credits)

Curriculum  
Eight (8) MPA Required Courses 
PAD 711 Foundations of Public Service & Administration
PAD 713 Managing Financial Resources 
PAD 715 Quantitative Analysis (Prerequisite: GVT 776, 777, or 778)
PAD 716 Managing Human Resources 
PAD 717 Organizational Change 
PAD 718 leadership Strategies in an Interconnected World
PAD 810 Administrative Law 
PAD 890 Strategic Management

Two (2) MPA Elective Courses
Select any two (2) PAD 800 or 900 level elective courses

Students must complete 30 credits hours in the Institute for Public Service; PAD and GVT electives are not interchangeable

Students with no professional public management experience must take PAD 859 Public Service Internship. (This will count as an elective.) Students who take GVT 723do not need to take PAD 859 and can take an additional MPA elective.

MS in Political Science
Five (5) Required Political Science/Government Courses

Professional Politics Track 
GVT 723 Graduate Internship 
GVT 747 Seminar in Legislation and Lobbying 
GVT 755 Seminar in Campaigns and Elections 
GVT 772 Ethical Issues in Professional Politics 
GVT 776 Advanced Research Methods in Professional Politics or GVT 777 Advanced Research Methods Political Science

OR

International Relations Track 
GVT 723 Graduate Internship 
GVT 761 Seminar in International Relations Theory 
GVT 763 International Political Economy 
GVT 765 Seminar in Contemporary International Relations 
GVT 778 Advanced Research Methods in International Relations or GVT 777 Advanced Research Methods Political Science

Political Science/Government Electives
Select any three Government courses (9 credits)