Dual Diploma Master of Arts Program in Political Science/Russian Politics, Joint with Moscow State Institute for International relations (MGIMO)

Binghamton University (SUNY) and the department of political science now offers an exciting opportunity for its MA students to study in two nations at once and receive the Diploma of SUNY, MGIMO, and the European Degree Certificate according to Bologna system standard. Intensive integrated curriculum in two languages and highly individual approach to mentoring make this program truly unique. The two-year program includes spending the autumn of the first year in Binghamton, spring of the first year and autumn of the second year at MGIMO(U), and spring of the second year in Binghamton again. 

Students complete the full set of graduate core courses of the Binghamton M.A. program in their two semesters in residence. All instructions at MGIMO are in Russian.

The program is run on an exchange basis. Thus the cost of the program is just the SUNY graduate tuition and fees plus the student’s usual living expenses and a roundtrip ticket to Moscow.

Application schedule:
To be admitted in the program, students need to be admitted into both of its components. This means, that they must meet the Binghamton application deadline of March 1, 2008.

Russian language skills sufficient to receive instruction are required.

Applicants must submit to Binghamton graduate admissions:

• Graduate application: http://gradschool.binghamton.edu/ps/gradapp.asp
• Application fee: $55 on-line or $70 paper submission
• Personal statement: the applicant should discuss his or her preparation in political science, subject matter interest, and career intentions
• Two letters of recommendation; both should be from faculty members at MGIMO to assure that the letters speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and promise.
• TOEFL exam score
• GRE exam score
• Academic record (transcript)
• Completed financial statement (for international students)

Evaluation:
Members of the Department’s Graduate Committee will review each application and make a recommendation on admission to the Dean of the Graduate School.  Assuming all application materials are in order, the Dean will follow the Department’s recommendation. 

The personal statement and letters of recommendation weigh as heavily in the Committee’s recommendation as tests scores and academic record, providing the applicant meets minimum standards.

Links:
Political Science at Binghamton University: http://www.binghamton.edu/polsci/
BU website: http://www.binghamton.edu
Student life (blog): http://bu-mercury.livejournal.com/