Mission

The mission of the MA program is to prepare students for future educational and career opportunities in both the public and private sectors. We accomplish this mission by equipping our students with substantive knowledge and methodological skills necessary to conduct research; to instruct primary, secondary, and undergraduate students on civics, government, and politics; and/or to pursue advanced graduate studies in professional programs (i.e., doctoral, law school, and other public and private related programs of study.

Admission Requirements

Beyond the admission materials required by Graduate Admissions, students interested in the MA in political science should submit directly to the MA Director the following materials:

• A statement of interest outlining the applicant’s goal past the MA and the types of work he or she wishes to pursue in the program to realize that goal
• A resume
• An academic writing sample
• For international students, TOEFL scores
• Two letters of reference from people who can evaluate the applicant’s academicpotential
• Optional GRE scores on the general test

Applications received by April 30 will be given full review for fall admission, and those received by November 30 will receive full review for spring admission. Late applications after the deadlines may be reviewed at the discretion of the MA Committee. Applicants who seek a graduate assistantship must submit their materials before April 1. Applicants not meeting the April 1 deadline will be eligible for graduate assistantships only if available.

Program of Study

Students enrolled in the program will choose to concentrate in one of four subfields in political science-US politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory. The student’s program will be composed of 15 hours in the chosen concentration area (which may include 6 hours of thesis work) and two courses in political science research techniques; the remaining 9 hours will be composed of elective hours in political science (though, subject to prior approval of the MA Committee, a student may propose to take courses in cognate fields when doing so would complement graduate study in political science).

Students will have an option of pursuing a thesis or non-thesis option, which is designed to maximize the practical value of their degree. Students choosing the thesis option are required to write and defend a thesis for a total of six graduate credit hours and must take POSC 6013 - Advanced Political Analysis  as part of their program of study. Students choosing the non-thesis option are required to take comprehensive exams and must take POSC 6573 - Grant Writing and Administration  as part of their program of study.

4+1 Masters Program

Qualified undergraduate students may be eligible to enter the program in their junior and senior year of study.