<p>Yeah, a MPA is a very common Masters degree for IR/Poli Sci majors.</p>
<p>In fact, it’s the most practical next step. It’s good for promotions and management positions.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if it’s similiar to MBA’s where you should get work experience first, either way - prior work experience would be best.</p>
<p>Okay, thank you! I didn’t even know that major existed. I’ll probably do that if I don’t get the internship I want.</p>
<p>Most MPA programs do require that you have 2-3 years of work experience before applying. The ones that don’t require it HIGHLY reccommend it. The good programs require it. I don’t know of any 5 year MPA programs. BeB is right that is the most practical. As do the Master’s in Foreign Service. </p>
<p>BeB makes a good point. There’s no garauntee of getting an employer who will pay for your MA, and you might wait longer to go back to school. BUT by waiting, you at least have the option of finding such a good employer and in the meantime you’re racking up the work experience that a) will help make the master’s degree worthwhile and b) help you be certain that you’re getting a master’s degree that will actually help you advance practically rather than just getting one to get one. It’s not just money on the line, it’s wasted time and effort getting a degree that you don’t know if you’ll actually need or use in a field you may not decide to stay in, that as I said makes you overqualified for the positions you are able to apply for and harder to employ. </p>
<p>It’s your life, but I say wait. Especially if you’re looking at a 5 year MA/BA from GW or American. DC is crawling with students with MA’s from those schools who are lacking in work experience and lacking in good jobs.</p>
<p>So just stick with a BA in IR and find a good job then after a few years go back to get my MPA?</p>
<p>That’s probably a good plan. Though really, what you should do is wait until you get to college and you figure out more clearly what it is you want to do within the IR field, and you’ve tried some more things out via internships or other experiences. Once you have a better idea of what you want to do, it will shape what you do once you graduate. You may decide Law school is a better option than getting an Master’s at all, it all depends on what path you most want.</p>
<p>Okay, that makes sense. That’s why I really want to go to a uni in DC so I can get good internships in the IR field. Though I think the FBI is one of the only places that don’t have internships; that I know of at least.</p>