4 + 1 Comes to the MAIA program
We have unveiled an exciting new opportunity for our most motivated students: the MAIA 4+1 Program. This initiative, set to be available to students beginning in the fall of 2026, will provide an accelerated pathway to a master’s degree. Quite simply -- undergraduates will be able to earn both a bachelor’s AND a master’s degree in a total of just five years!
The program was created to help talented students fast-track their careers in international affairs while staying within the UNG community. “This initiative is about giving our students an edge … It allows them to deepen their expertise and enter the job market with both academic and practical advantages.” Dr. Cristian Harris, Professor of Political Science and one of the program’s two advisors said.
A Streamlined Pathway to Success
The MAIA 4+1 Program is open to Dahlonega campus-based students majoring in most of our degree programs -- Political Science, Political Science/Pre-Law, International Affairs, or Strategic and Security Studies (only the International Affairs concentration). During their final year as an undergraduate, students in the program can take four graduate-level courses that will count toward both degrees. After completing their undergraduate requirements, just one additional year of graduate study leads to the Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA).
The program’s structure is intended to provide continuity in mentorship and instruction, as graduate students will be able to work with the same dedicated faculty members who guided them through their undergraduate studies. Summer courses will also be available to help participants stay on track or even get ahead.
Who Can Apply?
The application period will open each May, and juniors who have completed at least 80 credit hours (including 21 upper-division hours) will be eligible to apply. A minimum GPA of 3.25, two letters of recommendation, and a 600-word Statement of Purpose will be part of the application to help ensure students are ready to meet the challenges of graduate-level coursework while finishing their undergraduate degrees.
Preparing Global Leaders
The 4+1 Program was developed in response to growing student demand for programs that combine academic rigor, flexibility, and real-world preparation. In a field as interconnected and competitive as international affairs, this accelerated option provides students with a head start toward advanced careers in diplomacy, global policy, and international organizations.
As Dr. Harris explained, “Our graduates are entering a world that requires both deep knowledge and adaptability. The 4+1 Program gives them both—faster.”
For students eager to lead in the international arena, UNG’s MAIA 4+1 Program isn’t just a degree path—it’s a launchpad for global impact.