► Graduate School Rules apply to this program
The political science department offers a master of arts (MA) degree in political science with an emphasis on building academic and practical skills in key areas of the discipline. Research and teaching in the department centers on the major fields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and public policy; however, the department also offers more specialized training in human rights, legal studies, gender politics, race and ethnic politics, European studies, indigenous politics and urban politics. Students pursuing the MA have the option of completing the traditional track or an alternative track centered on the study on politics, public policy and leadership. Students completing the program have gone on to PhD programs across the country and work in a variety of areas, including; state and local elected office, government service, directors of community-based organizations and nongovernmental organizations, legislative analysts, UN affiliates, lobbyists, teachers, media analysis and political consulting.
Requirements for Admission
Students applying for admission to the MA program in political science should present at least 18 semester hours of previous academic work in political science, at least 9 hours of which should be at the upper-division or graduate level. The department may make exceptions to these requirements in unusual cases (for instance, if course work in related fields such as psychology, economics and history compensates for the deficiencies in political science). Applicants should present an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 to be considered; however, the department typically admits students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. In their applications, students must submit transcripts and letters of recommendation (from academic sources) as specified by the Graduate School. In addition, applicants must submit a statement of academic objectives and an academic writing sample. Standardized test scores are not required of applicants, but will be considered if submitted.
In order to take graduate courses in political science, students must either be admitted to the MA program or secure permission as a nondegree student. Nondegree students may take up to 12 semester hours of graduate course work; however, they must first secure permission from the department graduate advisor to enroll in all graduate course work.
