<p>mini,</p>
<p>First off, I wouldn't expect too many changes in the NSA. After all, we all know how the civil service is responsive to change, that evil of all evils.</p>
<p>Besides, there are big differences between MA and PhD programs, and you have to specify...</p>
<p>Oh, and you changed your argument from, "you need two languages to get a job" to "you need two languages to get a promotion." Which is it?</p>
<p>UCLAri, you seem very knowledgeable about the IR field. Sorry to change the topic, but I just wanted to ask you two questions:
Does it matter if you get a degree in Poli-Sci? Will you pale in comparison to kids graduating with IR degrees from big schools like Tufts? (I'm going to Wake and they don't offer Poli-Sci).
Also, is there any truth that learning Italian as your second language is no good? I've heard this and am not sure whether to just take it with a grain of salt. </p>
<p>Thanks I really appreciate it :)</p>
<p>If you want to teach you do not need to know two languages other than english. There are many IR profs in the US that do not know three languages.</p>
<p>ryan,</p>
<p>Very true. Look at the CVs of top 10 program profs and you'll find that the vast majority of them only have 2 languages at best.</p>
<p>Oxford is one of the best. PPE course is ideal, and many foriegn ministers and presidents have been educated at Oxford.</p>
<p>I'm actually thinking about maybe going to England for undergrad. Can anyone gimme more info on Oxford and London School of Eco and Poli Science?</p>
<p>I am surprised that people mention schools like Rochester, Northwestern, Georgetown, UCLA, Columbia and Cornell for poli-sci, yet nobody hear has said a peep about MIT, when the fact is (and perhaps a surprise to some people here), the MIT political science department actually is tied with those of UCLA and Columbia and is higher ranked than are the departments of those other 4 schools. </p>
<p>Perhaps the issue is that MIT does not teach "international relations" per se. Yet I would argue that that's fairly irrelevant, especially at the undergraduate level, as it's just a name. It seems to me that MIT poli-sci grads seem to do just fine securing international-relations-type jobs. </p>
<p>MIT's political science department specializes in national security matters and technology policy, which befits MIT's long-standing history of tight integration with the Department of Defense. For example, there are numerous laboratories and office buildings around MIT that require security clearances to enter. </p>
<p>What I think is happening is that MIT's huge brand-name in science and engineering tends to blind people to the fact that MIT has other strong programs. I've found that lots of people are surprised to learn that MIT has a highly regarded and highly ranked poli-sci department. </p>
<p><a href="http://web.mit.edu/polisci/%5B/url%5D">http://web.mit.edu/polisci/</a></p>
<p>Thanks, sakky. That one's interesting.</p>
<p>The MIT english department is supposed to be remarkable.</p>
<p>Willmingtonwave,</p>
<p>It depends on what you want to do with your degree. Most grad programs don't care much about your undergrad degree title, as long as you have significant work in the field you're interested in (e.g. Harvard offers a "government" degree, but it's 99% the same as most other poli sci degrees.) </p>
<p>And no, learning Italian is not a hindrance. It's not as high demand as Chinese or Arabic, but if it's your passion, go for it. Italy's plenty interesting a place to study, as far as poli sci goes. Especially for multi-party politics and coalition politics. :)</p>
<p>sakky,</p>
<p>The only reason I tend to avoid mentioning MIT is the fact that many undergrads interested in poli sci aren't going to want to deal with MIT's more difficult math and science requirements.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I believe that it's easily one of the best departments in the US, and this will become more apparent as the field moves in the quantitative direction.</p>
<p>I agree that for those people who have minimal interest or ability in science/math, then MIT is a poor choice. </p>
<p>However, I would argue that for those students who are quantitatively strong, yet are interested in poli-sci, MIT is an excellent choice. </p>
<p>Furthermore, I would point out that MIT poli-sci offers a 5 year combined bachelor's/master's program. Many of the other top poli-sci programs do not offer such an option.</p>
<p>For those of you who are interested in graduate programs, while MIT doesn't offer an MPA or MPP program the way that the Harvard Kennedy School of Government does, MIT does offer the TPP program, which is basically a program that teaches you about technology policy, how governments can foster or hinder technological development, how governments can use technology (i.e. military technology, e-government), the proper role of government regulation as it has to do with science & engineering (i.e. telecom/Internet regulation, intellectual property laws, pharmaceuticals regulation, global warming, etc.), and other related issues. </p>
<p><a href="http://tppserver.mit.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://tppserver.mit.edu/</a></p>
<p>Now, don't get me wrong. I am not saying that in these fields, MIT is better than, say, Harvard (either in the Harvard poli-sci department or the Kennedy School). But I do think that MIT is a pretty strong option.</p>
<p>sakky,</p>
<p>For the record, UCLA also offers a BA/MA program.</p>
<p>Just thought I'd throw it out there.</p>
<p>Yeah, MIT's a good option.</p>
<p>Between American University and GW, which is the better option for international relations?</p>
<p>I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned it yet, but Occidental is a great LAC option for both fields (Barack Obama went there).</p>
<p>What about Dartmouth for Poly Sci?</p>
<p>Liberal arts schools aren't the traditional powerhouses of the discipline, yet if you have any interest in the discipline, I'm a Politics (and History) major at Oberlin College, both of which are very strong departments here. International Relations is a separate concentration, though also a sub-discipline within the Politics Department.</p>
<p>Wow...for once I see a presidential candidate that DIDN'T go to Yale or Harvard...</p>
<p>obama transferred to Columbia...moreover I'm pretty sure he went to Harvard Law.</p>
<p>Dartmouth is excellent for poli sci, especially at the undergrad level.</p>