Political Science, MA

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The department offers MA Plan A (thesis) and Plan B (culminating experience) degrees that can be tailored to a student’s interests and needs. The MA program invites applicants who are prepared to think critically and constructively about political phenomena.

Requirements

All MA students are required to take three of the following courses regardless of program (Plan A or Plan B):

POLS 600 - Scope and Methods of Political Science Credits: 3
POLS 610 - Political Theory and Analysis Credits: 3
POLS 620 - Introduction to Indigenous Politics Credits: 3
POLS 630 - International Relations Credits: 3
POLS 640 - Comparative Politics Credits: 3
POLS 650 - Public Administrative Theory Credits: 3
POLS 660 - Law and Politics Credits: 3
POLS 670 - Introduction to Public Policy Credits: 3
POLS 680 - Asian and/or Pacific Politics Credits: 3

MA Thesis Option

The course requirements for the Master’s Plan A is detailed on the Master’s Thesis Option Advising form available in the main office and online. This form should be filled out as the student progresses through the program. All master’s candidates are required to take a total of 30 credit hours, of which 9 credit hours (3 courses) must be from POLS 600 , POLS 610 , POLS 620 , POLS 630 , POLS 640 , POLS 650 , POLS 660 , POLS 670 , and POLS 680 , and one graduate seminar must be from POLS 701-798. There is no language requirement, though students may decide that language study is relevant to the work. Students who write a master’s thesis (Plan A) must register for a minimum of 6 credit hours but as many as 12 hours of POLS 700 - Thesis Research .

MA Event Option

The course requirements for the Master’s Event is detailed on the MA Event Option Advising form available in the main office and online. This form should be filled out as the student progresses through the program. All master’s candidates are required to take a total of 30 credit hours, of which 9 credit hours (3 courses) must be from POLS 600 , POLS 610 , POLS 620 , POLS 630 , POLS 640 , POLS 650 , POLS 660 , POLS 670 , and POLS 680 , and one graduate seminar must be from POLS 701-POLS 798. Additional courses to total 30 credit hours must be taken from remaining graduate courses. There is no language requirement, though students may decide that language study is relevant to their work.