Our accelerated program is an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge, enhance critical thinking and research skills while expanding your marketable talents for careers in government, non-profits, and consulting.
The ideal candidate is curious, seeks challenges with vigor, and takes initiative. Working alongside doctoral students, you will learn from leading scholars with expertise in political theory, political methodology, international political economy and security, American politics and policy, climate change, and much more! Join us.
Eligibility and Application
- Eligibility: The program is open to all Brown University undergraduates regardless of their current concentration.
- Application Deadline: Students must apply via the online application system before their undergraduate graduation date. Application requirements:
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation one of which must be from a Political Science faculty member
- Personal Statement
- Resume/CV
- GRE and TOEFL Requirement: A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the English language test (TOEFL) are NOT required for current Brown undergraduates pursuing their 5th year Master’s.
Program Requirements
The A.M. degree in Political Science requires the completion of eight POLS2000-level graduate courses.
- Course Requirements: All eight courses must be POLS graduate courses at the POLS2000-level and be passed with a grade of B or better.
- Flexibility: This program has no track or concentration requirements. Students are free to select any mix of graduate courses offered by the department.
- Course Overlap (Undergraduate): Students may count up to two of the eight POLS2000-level graduate courses toward their master's degree while still an undergraduate.
- Advising: All student advisors must be political science faculty.
- Transfer Credit: Transfer credits are not accepted for this program.
- Completion: Fifth-year students must complete the degree in two semesters.
To learn more about earning your Political Science Master’s degree in just one year, reach out to our Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Rebecca Weitz-Shapiro.
Tuition Cost Reduction
Fifth-year master's students can apply up to two courses taken during their time as an undergraduate towards the master’s degree with approval from the Director of Graduate Studies. One of these courses must be taken in the senior year i.e. the final two undergraduate semesters. This equals a tuition reduction of up to two courses. This option is only available for fifth year master’s programs.