Double Major - IA (ESIA) and PoliSci (CCAS) with Public Policy Focus

<p>Appreciate any feedback on my "S" who wishes to double major in IA's (ESIA -Primary Degree) and PoliSci-Public policy focus). He feels it might open up more Grad School opportunities.</p>

<p>My question is - do the courses that are common to BOTH majors count for each? If so, this is feasible. I know he onyl has to do ESIA's Gen requirements and not CCAS's.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>CJ</p>

<p>S is a poli sci/public policy major, but his minors are in CCAS. I’m not familiar with IA reqs, so I can only speak to the PSC aspect.
What is your son thinking of going to grad school for? I’m not sure the double major would make that much difference.
For public policy, students have to take 3 policy courses, only one of which is IA related (US Foreign Policy). They also have to take 6 social science courses, 2 of which have to be econ or history. Since my son is an econ minor, this req didn’t add courses to those he would be taking anyway.
If you have any other questions, I’d be happy to try to answer them for you. Hopefully someone else has more knowledge of how the 2 majors would coordinate.</p>

<p>Hi shellfell</p>

<p>Since my son is in Elliott he doesn’t have to do any of the CCAS gen-ed requirements - just Elliotts. He’ll easily have the 6 social science classes anyway with his AP credits and Econ classes etc for IA major.</p>

<p>Right “now” he’s thinking foreign service either State Dept or USAID. However, he’s not ruled out US Gov’t positions - thus the reason for the dual major in PoliSci-pub policy. He’s heard very good things about the Trachtenburg School of Public Policy. He knows he’s looking at a Graduate degree for the above jobs anyway.</p>

<p>Also, he’s not ruled out an academic track which means Ph.D. - Elliott only goes up to masters. Whereas the Dept of PoliSci allows undergrads to directly apply to the Ph.D. program (Although I’m sure very competitive without a masters).</p>

<p>Appreciate any other comments/suggestions. He’ll be talking to his Elliott advisor this fall.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>CJ</p>

<p>this is really a question for his advisor</p>

<p>You don’t have to major in PSC/public policy to get into grad school. I know someone who only decided his senior year that he really wanted to get his master’s in pubic policy & got into Trachtenberg. My son is choosing to work (and save $) before applying to grad school. BTW, most MPP programs prefer students with work experience, altho many accept students straight from undergrad.</p>

<p>I can’t really tell from your post, but do you realize that undergrads don’t take courses in Trachtenberg even if they have a public policy focus? </p>

<p>I would definitely recommend that he talk to his advisor (which he’s planning to do). I’m not familiar enough with Elliott’s reqs to know how much overlap there would be. For my son, with the PSC/public policy major, 2 minors and CCAS reqs, he’s had very little room in his schedule to take “fun” or non-required courses.</p>

<p>Hi shellfell</p>

<p>Thanks for your input. Yes, I’m aware Tachtenberg is only for Grad students.</p>

<p>He’s aware If he double majors - he’ll have little room for “true” electives. As a parent - he has to graduate in 4 years - too costly otherwise. </p>

<p>He’ll meet with his Elliott advisor when Fall session resumes. </p>

<p>I don’t know if I’m asking this question properly, but do you know if he takes a specific course e.g. a polisci course - can that course count for BOTH major req’s if listed by them as so.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>CJ</p>

<p>I will start by saying he should talk to his advisor to clarify any questions. I would assume that if a course satisfies reqs for both majors, that it would be OK, but I really can’t say for sure. Fortunately for your son, the advising in Elliott is better than in CCAS, so he should be able to get his questions answered accurately. (I speak from S’ experience with mediocre advising in CCAS).</p>

<p>I hear you on the need to graduate in 4 years. My son will be graduating in Dec, a semester early, with us agreeing to pay his living expenses in DC for the spring so he can get a job/internship & not have to worry about all his expenses. It’ll be cheaper for us than another semester at GW.</p>

<p>shellfell</p>

<p>Good deal with the “S” on graduating early! Appreciate your feedback!‘’</p>

<p>CJ</p>