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
Seminar Requirement:
PS 620State of the Discipline5
Two Seminar Courses from the Following:
PS 607
Seminar: [Topic]
PS 618
American Political Institutions
PS 619
United States Political Culture
PS 622
Political Theory
PS 624
International Relations
PS 625
Public Policy
PS 626
International Political Economy
PS 628
States and State-Society Relations
PS 629
Comparative Political Economy
PS 630
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 614Research Design5
Thesis Requirement:15
PS 503
Thesis
Total Credit Requirement:45