International Studies Program - BS/MS Public Policy

Accelerated Graduate Degrees

Undergraduate majors in the international studies program can obtain a graduate degree in International Business or Public Policy with just one additional (fifth) year of study. The international business field offers—in cooperation with the College of Business—an accelerated option that permits qualified international studies majors to obtain an M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree after one additional year of study. Similarly, in cooperation with the public policy program, offers an accelerated option that allows qualified students to obtain an M.S. (Master of Science) degree in science, technology, and public policy after one additional year of study.

The B.S./M.S. Option in Science, Technology, and Public Policy
Undergraduates in the RIT international studies program can accelerate their prospective graduate studies toward a Master in Science degree in science, technology and public policy by choosing the following course selection in this option.

1) Students must enroll in the Public Policy Minor "Analysis Track" (or equivalent) as their COLA minor program, which includes the following five courses:

a. 0521-400 Foundations of Public Policy
b. 0521-402 Policy Analysis I
c. 0521-403 Policy Analysis II
d. 0521-404 Policy Analysis III
e. Policy Elective Course (see minor description)

By choosing this public policy "analysis track" as a minor, students reduce their M.S. degree duration by one quarter.

2) Identification as a 4+1 student allows international studies students to take up to three public policy graduate level courses as an undergraduate (as open electives). These include:
a.0521-700 Seminar: Readings in Public Policy
b.0521-701 Seminar: Advanced Methods
c.0521-702 Seminar: Evaluation Research
d.0521-708 Technological Innovation and Public Policy
e.0521-709 Public Administration and Management
f.0521-749 Special Topics: Science, Technology, & Policy

By taking these courses, students reduce their M.S. degree duration by a quarter.

3) 4+1 students are granted automatic enrollment to the M.S. program in Science, Technology, and Public Policy provided they have a 3.0 GPA. If a 3.0 GPA is not achieved, a student may apply to the program in the usual fashion. If accepted, students will receive appropriate credit for courses taken that meet the graduate course requirements.