Advice for Political Science Graduate Students

[schrodingers.cat]

I am about to begin a master's program in political science/government. What advice would give someone in my position? I completed a B.S. in Political Science in 2003. Since then, I’ve worked in administration at a university, and have taken various courses through that university over the past decade. I had switched gears and primarily took courses in science, math, and computer science. However, I have decided to switch back to political science/government and get my master’s degree. The program I am starting this month will be part online and part in person.

 

While I do have an undergraduate degree in political science, that was completed over ten years ago. What advice would you give me in preparation for starting later this month?

[BigTenPoliSci]

My main piece of advice would be to enjoy it. My master's degree was interesting and not unreasonably challenging. Everyone else in my PhD program cohort with MA's had a similar experience. PhD programs are brutal slogs. Master's degrees are fun.

[testingtesting]

 

I am about to begin a master's program in political science/government. What advice would give someone in my position? I completed a B.S. in Political Science in 2003. Since then, I’ve worked in administration at a university, and have taken various courses through that university over the past decade. I had switched gears and primarily took courses in science, math, and computer science. However, I have decided to switch back to political science/government and get my master’s degree. The program I am starting this month will be part online and part in person.

 

While I do have an undergraduate degree in political science, that was completed over ten years ago. What advice would you give me in preparation for starting later this month?

 

 

If you're looking for a career in public policy, double-down on economics and applied statistics courses. The political science coursework won't be of much use. For research: I've found the econ isn't that helpful but employers are attracted to it while the stats is useful and attractive to employers.  If you need some substantive training in the topics, a development/health/social policy course (or take these within the econ department) is useful. Meanwhile, if you don't want to do research but are more interested in government affairs or consulting, take some accounting or stats courses.