The general aim of the department is to teach students a deeper understanding of government and politics both in the United States and overseas. Training in the department may serve as preparation for graduate school or law school, government jobs at both the federal and state levels, law school, opportunities in business and teaching, or just being an informed citizen.

Political Science graduates will demonstrate

• in-depth knowledge of government and politics in the U.S. and the world;
• a balanced preparation in the four subfields of political science: American politics, comparative government, world politics, and political theory; and
• the capacity for success in law school, graduate school, and careers in government.

Master of Public Administration Accelerated Program

The University of Kentucky’s Martin School of Public Policy and Administration offers particularly gifted and highly motivated students at Georgetown College the opportunity and the challenge of integrating their undergraduate and graduate courses of study in a single continuous program culminating in both a baccalaureate degree and a Master of Public Administration. The M.P.A. is designed for students with an interest in public and nonprofit service, allowing them to take graduate-level courses during the fourth year of their undergraduate program. Application to the program should be submitted by the end of the student’s junior year. Applicants should have (1) completed at least 86 credit hours of work toward the bachelor’s degree or be eligible for senior standing in the semester they are admitted to the program; and (2) earned an undergraduate grade point average of at least a 3.5 in the major field and 3.2 cumulative.

Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Commerce/University Scholars Program

The University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce offers particularly gifted and highly motivated students at Georgetown College the opportunity and the challenge of integrating their undergraduate and graduate courses of study in a single continuous program culminating in both a baccalaureate degree and a Masters of Arts in Diplomacy and International Commerce. The M.A. program is designed for students with an interest in foreign service, including diplomacy, national security, commerce, or international organization and nonprofit organization work. The program offers the added benefit of allowing students to take graduate-level courses during the fourth year of their undergraduate program. An application to the program should be submitted during the second semester of the student’s junior year. Applicants should have (1) completed at least 86 credit hours of work toward the bachelor’s degree or be eligible for senior standing in the semester they are admitted to the program; and (2) earned an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.5 in the major field and 3.2 cumulative.