Residential Dual Degree – B.S. to M.A.P.P.
Get a jumpstart on your career with a dual degree in Bachelor’s in Government: Politics & Policy and a Master’s in Public Policy: Think Tank & Policy Research at the Helm’s School of Government.
The B.S. in Government: Politics & Policy degree prepares you for careers in federal, state, and local government, politics and international relations. It provides a comprehensive overview of the key facets of American government, including an analysis of each branch of government, state and local government, the political process, and the various facets of the public policy process. It also provides a solid foundation in a biblical, Christian worldview perspective on government, political philosophy, history, and current events.
The B.S. is a good fit for you if you would like to tailor a portion of your degree with more elective opportunities.
The M.A. in Public Policy: Think Tank & Policy Research cognate allows residential students to conduct individualized policy research. You will learn to develop meaningful, in-depth research and expertise on policy issues of your choice. Choose your policy area of interest for both your individual policy research project and a group policy research project, and have the option to build upon the research conducted in those projects from one semester to the next. Develop significant expertise in policy issues before graduation as you work with subject matter experts in your chosen policy field. This unique, immersive cognate engages residential graduate public policy students via in-depth policy research and writing.
Students can complete a thesis as part of their Master’s degree. Through your thesis paper, you will conduct extended, in-depth research and analysis of a policy issue of your choice. Those students who prefer not to complete a thesis may take two additional graduate classes, either as offered online by the Helms School of Government or on campus via an approved independent study or an approved graduate residential course offered by another school or department at Liberty.
The Helms School of Government professors have a unique passion for a biblical worldview perspective on government and politics. Many have years of unique and highly credentialed political and professional experience, including the areas of politics, law, national security, and international relations. All our graduate faculty have a Ph.D. in government or a related field. Further, our faculty have been and continue to be published in their areas of expertise.
Dual Degree Program
Designed to be completed in four years, our dual degree allows for six credit hours of undergraduate and graduate course overlap. This means you can take two graduate courses from the M.A. in Public Policy: Think Tank and Policy Research in place of two undergraduate courses. This saves time and money. Secondly, our degree completion plan ensures that students can take most of their courses residentially.
B.A. or B.S. Degree?
If you would rather incorporate more language skills into your degree, view our dual degree in B.A. in Government: Politics & Policy/M.A. in Public Policy: Think Tank & Policy Research.
Academics
Featured Public Policy Courses
- Introduction to Research and Writing (PPOG 500)
- Political Philosophy (PPOG 503)
- Applied Public Policy Research Methods (PPOL 505)
- Think Tank, Research, Training, & Policy Development (PPOG 600)
Public Policy Career Opportunities
- City Manager
- Chamber of Commerce Manager
- Diplomat
- Policy Analyst
- Legislative Analyst
- Politician
- Political Scientist
- Public Administrator
- Political Consultant
- Community Organizer
