Getting a Bachelors and Masters in Poli Sci at Same School?

[mrmirv]

Hello All,

Yes.... I am starting another thread but hey...this is all how we find out information. I am more then likely because of financial and work reasons not be able to relocate for school. Yes it stinks, but its better then not going to school. I am finishing my bachelors in poli sci and history (double major)going to more then likely go to the same school for my masters. I have been told this is looked down upon for the fact that you are not getting training from different scholars and is not a good thing. Sadly, I don't have a choice. I am going to a large state university in the northeast which is not ranked. The good thing about it, I can take masters classes this and next semester and finish the masters in a year. The department faculty are great and are working with me in publishing with them and doing a TON of research. Some have told me to just wait until I can go for a PhD and not even bother. One reason I am doing it is that I had to start and stop school many times but kept a good GPA (3.6). Any thoughts?

[GopherGrad]

I'm skeptical that too many people would look down on your doing a master's at your BA alma mater. Diversity of instruction may be nice for a few reasons, but plenty of people get in with only a bachelor's degree. I can't see this communicating anything negative about your potential as a scholar.

I'm not certain about doing the master's degree in general, though. A stellar GPA might make you more comfortable with your numbers, but I don't know how it plays to adcomms. GPAs from master's programs usually seem to be higher than undergrad GPAs, after all. Plus, terminal master's programs are usually expensive and, if I recall, finance is playing into your decision to stay where you are.

Look, you're interested in a PhD, so obviously puttering around your uni for another year studying sounds like fun. It's not likely to hurt your application, so if you can afford it, do it. Don't underestimate the advantage of working for a year or two. I left law school broke³ and saving up a little cash, refreshing my threadbare wardrobe and upgrading to a car that doesn't break down every third week makes me far more confident that I am prepared to work a ton for very little money for awhile.

[adam.123]

Since u have BA in political science, u are familiar with the field. Why dont you apply straing to phd pls science?

My siuation is diffrent. I have only BS in business, on one pol scie undergrad class. Became interested in pol scie. think of getting phd pol scie, but i think MA in political scince might help me to secure admission althought is not required. terminal MA at good school is pricey. I think i am going to get MA from good state school that will be affordable, then apply to phd. any sugggetion where to get MA? or not to get MA?

good luck!

[mrmirv]

Since u have BA in political science, u are familiar with the field. Why dont you apply straing to phd pls science?

My siuation is diffrent. I have only BS in business, on one pol scie undergrad class. Became interested in pol scie. think of getting phd pol scie, but i think MA in political scince might help me to secure admission althought is not required. terminal MA at good school is pricey. I think i am going to get MA from good state school that will be affordable, then apply to phd. any sugggetion where to get MA? or not to get MA?

good luck!

op here,

My main reason for going to the same school is financial. The masters program at my school is not expensive. I have a good job right now that I have to work in order to support my family. The program gives me sometime to really prepare for my PhD. I know I can handle the work load, its just I want to make sure 10000000000% this is what I want before I leave a job that I won't be able to get back, sell my house, uproot my wife etc. Also, I left school for 5 years and came back to finish my undergrad in history and poli sci. My grades are good (3.6) but not enough to get into a top school for IR. I figure, use the masters to get some really good research credentials and work hard on my quantitative skills. My school has a lot of research opportunity for its masters students as we have no PhD program so the faculty is dedicated to helping its students. I am not even in the masters program and they are letting me take 2 masters level classes and work on a research project! Its a plan...its not perfect...but its better then sitting for 1.5 years and doing nothing. Also, I maybe able to get an assistanship and cut the price in half down to about 5,000 and get a small stipend.