The PlusOne program allows students to accelerate their study by applying graduate credits taken as an undergraduate toward both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.
If you are a motivated and academically outstanding student, you can begin earning a Master of Arts [MA] in Political Science or a Master of Science [MS] in Security and Resilience Studies during your junior year while completing your Bachelors degree. This is achieved by allowing you to “double count” up to 16 graduate credits toward both your graduate and undergraduate degree requirements.
- Professionals who enter the workforce with graduate level experience are often more competitive.
- The PlusOne option makes financial sense. Up to 16 graduate credits will count toward the completion of your undergraduate degree and your graduate degree at no additional cost. This can equal up to half the required credits for your graduate degree.
- The PlusOne program can accelerate your receipt of a graduate degree. In most cases a PlusOne degree student can obtain both their undergraduate and graduate diplomas with only one additional year of study.
You should apply before the start of your junior year, as this will maximize the number of PlusOne degree graduate credits you can enroll in. Your first step is to make an appointment with your undergraduate academic advisor and then the Department’s Graduate Program Director (Daniel Aldrich for MS Security and Resilience Studies or John Portz for MA in Political Science) to make sure the program is right for you. If the department determines that you are eligible to apply, you should complete a PlusOne Admission Application. For more information on the application process, please visit the CSSH PlusOne website. Supplementary materials may be required for students holding a GPA of less than 3.25 at the time of application.
PlusOne MA Political Science- Please refer to the requirements outlined in the course catalog for electives that will count towards the MA degree
Junior and Senior year – Complete up to 4 graduate courses (4 credits each) for a total of 16 graduate credits
PlusOne MS Security and Resilience Studies- Please refer to the requirements outlined in the course catalog for electives that will count towards the MS SRS degree
Junior and Senior year – Complete up to 4 graduate courses (4 credits each) for a total of 16 graduate credits
Possible course offerings* include:
POLS 7341 (4 credits) – Security and Resilience Policy+
POLS 7346 (4 credits) – Resilient Cities
POLS 7343 (4 credits) – Counterterrorism
POLS 7441 (4 credits) – Cyberconflict in the International System
POLS 7201 (4 credits) – Research Design
*Additional courses and requirements can be found on the course catalog
+ required core course
To find out more, please contact your undergraduate academic advisor, the Graduate Program Director, or the Graduate Program Administrator [903 Renaissance Park, p.morency@northeastern.edu].