About the 3+2 Program
- Highly selective program for academically talented students
- Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years
- Political Science track
- International Studies track
- Opportunities to study abroad as an undergraduate and graduate student
- Problem-based learning and research models
This accelerated program integrates undergraduate and graduate training and provides comprehensive global learning opportunities. Arcadia’s undergraduate programs in Political Science and International Studies enrich the multidisciplinary perspectives inherent in the field of international peace and conflict resolution.
This accelerated program meets the needs of students who want to pursue accelerated training in IPCR, allowing for an intensive and rigorous five-year academic program that includes international experiences and practical fieldwork. This program allows talented students to pursue an accelerated option that is both more affordable and custom-designed to prepare them for a highly competitive job market.
About the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution
The interdisciplinary Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution program is designed to produce graduates who are well-prepared for mid-level positions in a wide variety of governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations.
The graduate program typically includes an international study component, as well as an internship. This innovative M.A. program allows students to develop an area of concentration within peace and conflict resolution, build an international network of contacts, and gain practical field experience.
Admissions Criteria
Students must meet the minimum criteria for the Honors Program in order to be admitted to the accelerated program as a first-year student. To be eligible for the 3+2 accelerated program, entering first-year students should score 1870 or better on the SAT or 28 on the ACT and be ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class. Students also may apply for entrance to the 3+2 program at the end of the first year.
For continuation on to the M.A. level in the fourth year, the following standards must be met:
- Completion of the appropriate required undergraduate courses in the major.
- The recommendation of at least one faculty member in the Department of Historical & Political Studies.
- The maintenance of a 3.5 GPA.
Program Structure
The specific course sequence for each track is available on request. Overall, a student will complete at least 128 hours toward the B.A. degree in either Political Science or International Studies and at least 36 hours toward the M.A. degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution.
This is achievable in five years as some of the IPCR courses that students take in the fourth year will count toward the undergraduate degree. This allows five-year accelerated students to begin their graduate studies in the fourth year, together with all the incoming IPCR graduate students, while completing remaining undergraduate credit requirements. Students complete their undergraduate senior capstone project during their third year as the fourth year is spent on graduate methods training and preparation of the master’s Capstone proposal.
Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (3+2 program)
Students wishing to pursue the five-year accelerated B.A. in International Studies and M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution will complete all requirements for the B.A. in International Studies and the M.A. in IPCR in five years.
In years one to three, students are expected to complete all Undergraduate Curriculum requirements as well as most requirements for the International Studies major, including the majority of their coursework, study abroad, the language requirement, and Senior Thesis, which is done in the third year. In year four, they complete the International Studies major as well as all first-year requirements for the IPCR degree. This is made possible through a number of courses that count for both the IS major and the IPCR degree. In year five, they complete their IPCR requirements, including the master’s Capstone.
Major Requirements for the International Studies Track
The International Studies major is highly flexible. It requires 12 courses in the major (typically 46-48 credits) plus the completion of the intermediate level (202-level) of a modern language other than English. In addition, International Studies majors must study abroad, and appropriate courses taken abroad count toward the major. Students must take three 100 level courses, IS 201 International Studies Research Writing , three additional 200-level courses, three 300-level courses, and the Senior Seminar sequence (IS 490 and IS 491 ). Four of these courses must be within the student’s concentration. Students choose among six concentrations: Africa and the Middle East; The Americas; Europe and the Mediterranean; Global Health and Human Rights; The Social Life of Globalization; Sustainable Development.
Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (3+2 program)
Students who want to pursue the accelerated B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution will complete all degree requirements in five years.
In years one to three, students complete all Undergraduate Curriculum requirements as well as most of the requirements for the Political Science major, including the Senior Thesis, which is done in the third year. In year four, students complete all requirements for the Political Science major and begin coursework for the IPCR master’s program. This is made possible as a number of IPCR courses are cross-listed as Political Science courses and will be counted as undergraduate credits. In year five students complete their IPCR requirements, including the master’s Capstone.
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