Political Science, MA

Location(s): Main Campus

The Department of Political Science offers a graduate program of study leading to the Master of Arts (MA) degree. The organization of the graduate program is based on two convictions. One is that political science is a unique subject matter that requires specialization. The second is that all of the social sciences, including political science, rely on systematic evidence and quantitative analysis. The primary goal of the program is to educate scholars who will contribute to the development of political science through careers in teaching and research.

The program emphasizes a broad-based theoretical understanding of political behavior and institutions coupled with the ability to carry out systematic empirical analysis. Students choose two primary substantive foci from among the subfields of American politics, comparative politics or international relations.

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate specialization in political science is desirable but not essential. A broad background in the social sciences, humanities, languages, statistics and mathematics is considered a desirable preparation for study in the discipline. Applicants are expected to present minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point averages of 3.0 in all subjects and 3.2 in political science courses.

For a student with insufficient preparation in political science or related subjects, the departmental graduate committee may, at the time of matriculation, specify:

Additional credits to be earned beyond the 32 to 40 normally needed for the MA degree; or
Additional study without graduate credit in subject areas in which the student may be deficient.

Program Requirements

Conventional master’s degree candidates may choose either a thesis or non-thesis option. Course requirements will differ depending on which option is chosen.

Course Requirements

Thesis Option: Students adopting the thesis option must complete seven seminars with a B average or better, plus a thesis. Of the seven seminars: at least six must be taken within the department, three of the six must be in the student’s primary area of specialization, and one must be PLSC 500 (Research Methods and Statistics I).

Non-Thesis Option: Students adopting the non-thesis option must complete nine seminars with a B average or better. Of the nine seminars: at least seven must be taken within the department, three of the nine must be in the student’s primary area of specialization, and one must be PLSC 500 (Research and Methods and Statistics I).

Committee Selection

During their first or second semesters, master’s degree students must organize a guidance committee composed of their principal academic advisor and two other faculty members.

To do this, students should obtain the nomination form from the graduate secretary and approach the relevant faculty members for their signatures. The director of graduate studies must approve each student’s selected committee.

The Nomination of Guidance Committee Form must be filed with the graduate committee each time a change in committee composition is proposed. The director of graduate studies must approve all committee changes.

Exam Requirements

Students choosing to take master’s exams will do so during the third semester (nine seminars) of course work. Prior to that semester, students should designate a committee chair in their particular subfield. That committee chair will then participate with members of the subfield in constructing questions for and grading a written, one-day (eight-hour) exam to be scheduled by the director of graduate studies. That same committee will evaluate the written answers and assign grades of Pass or Fail. In the event an exam receives a grade of Fail, the student, in consultation with the director of graduate studies and the committee chair will determine if and when the student will retake the exam. The exam can only be retaken one time and must be retaken by the end of the semester immediately following the first exam.

Different examination procedures exist for thesis and non-thesis students. Thesis students are examined by their guidance committee on the thesis and on knowledge of their area of specialization. Non-thesis students must take a written examination, which tests the student’s general knowledge of the field of political science as well as specific knowledge in the specialization area.

All master’s degree students must file a Graduate Application for Degree (GAFD) Form, available on the Graduate School website, during the semester in which they intend to receive their master’s degree.

Additional Information About the Program

For more information on the Political Science MA program, please refer to the Political Science Department website. To apply to the Political Science MA program, please visit the University Admissions website.