Political Science (MA/MS)
The master’s degree program prepares students for professional careers in teaching and research. Two years is the typical period for completing the program. The graduate program is geared toward doctoral studies and typically only admits students for a terminal master's degree under exceptional circumstances. Applicants whose main goal is to obtain a PhD should apply directly to the doctoral program. Those wanting to obtain a terminal master's degree should contact the department's director of graduate studies before applying to discuss a potential fit.
The Political Science department only admits students who intend to complete a doctoral degree. The learning objectives for the doctoral program are as follows:
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Display mastery of at least one subfield in the discipline of political science (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, or Formal Methods) and strong familiarity with another.
- Display the ability to design and produce publishable research.
- Achieve the doctoral degree within six years.
Political Science Major
- Completion of 45 credits of graduate coursework
- Completion of required courses as specified by the department
- Demonstrated proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Completion of a master’s degree thesis
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Seminar Requirement: | ||
PS 620 | State of the Discipline | 5 |
Two Seminar Courses from the Following: | ||
Seminar: [Topic] | ||
American Political Institutions | ||
United States Political Culture | ||
Political Theory | ||
International Relations | ||
Public Policy | ||
International Political Economy | ||
States and State-Society Relations | ||
Comparative Political Economy | ||
States and Regimes | ||
Methods Requirement: | ||
PS 545 & PS 546 | Methods for Politics and Policy Analysis I and Methods for Politics and Policy Analysis II | 8 |
PS 612 & PS 613 | Qualitative Methods and Interpretive Methods in Political Science | 10 |
PS 614 | Research Design | 5 |
Thesis Requirement: | 15 | |
Thesis | ||
Total Credit Requirement: | 45 |