MIT Political Science

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS  |  Undergraduate Studies

Simultaneous Award of SB and SM Degrees in

Political Science (5-year program)

An MIT undergraduate student who is enrolled as a candidate for the SB degree may apply for the 5-year SM degree program.

Requirements for admission.

• You must register as a graduate student for at least one regular academic term (not the summer session) to be recommended for the simultaneous award of bachelor's and master's degrees.
• We recommend that you apply during your junior year, and you must apply for admission to the program by December 31.
• You must have completed at least 240 units as an undergraduate upon applying to the program.
• If you are admitted to the 5-year SM program, you must still register for 17.THT Thesis Research and Reading Seminar during the fall term of your senior year to fulfill the CI-M requirement.

We will make every effort to notify applicants of our decision by the end of February.

How to apply.

Submit your completed application online or fill out a paper copy, which you can obtain at the Graduate Admissions Office in room 3-103. Your application must include:

• 1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score
• 2. Writing sample
• 3. Three letters of recommendation from faculty members
• 4. Personal statement
• 5. MIT transcript or grade report

Requirements for completion of the 5-year SM.

• You must complete a minimum of six graduate subjects, at least four of which must be in political science at MIT. The other two subjects may be completed in other MIT departments or through cross-registration at Harvard.
• You must complete at least 66 units of graduate work, 42 of which must be "H" level subjects.
• You will be required to write one supervised thesis and will receive one degree (SB/SM). Note: The thesis submitted for the SM degree is also accepted by the department in fulfillment of the undergraduate thesis requirement.
• You may request a transfer of the graduate subjects you completed as an undergraduate toward fulfillment of the graduate subject requirement for the SM degree, but you may not double-count units. Permission to transfer subjects must be obtained from the Dean of the Graduate School.

Find out more.

Read about the MIT Political Science Graduate Program.

For more information about the graduate program application process, contact Susan Twarog at 617-253-8336.