While the Bachelor of Arts degree focuses mainly on the fundamentals of the field, the Master of Arts builds directly on this foundation by providing more breadth and depth scientifically and a more complete insight into the field. In contrast to the Bachelor degree programme, the Master of Arts enables and requires students to adopt their own major focal area and to work towards their own independent academic, scientific research profile. For these reasons it is recommended that students complete a Master of Arts degree.

Upon successful completion of a Master of Arts degree, there is the opportunity to begin working towards a Ph.D. either at the Technical University of Darmstadt or at another national or international university: Ph.D. at Technical University of Darmstadt

The career prospects for social scientists in general and for graduates of Political Science in particular, i.e. Master of Arts holders in Governance and Public Policy, are widely varied. An important feature of this broad spectrum includes practical experience, which students may obtain during their degree, depending on which specialisations they wish to focus on.

Political scientists also work with schoolbook and textbook editors, with publishing houses (e.g. as copy editors), with radio, television and newspaper editing desks, in PR and marketing agencies, in libraries and archives, with international organisations and in the cultural field. With additional business management qualification, political scientists may also find positions in business enterprises (e.g. in business and marketing or human resources). Other options include working in the public service or with press agencies, which are areas where social scientists often work in.

In general, political scientists often find themselves working in research and teaching at universities. In addition, they are also found in statistical, market and polling institutes for political parties, associations, international organizations or in public administration.