Graduate Programs – M.A.

Students in the Master of Arts Degree Program must choose two subfields (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory and Methodology, Public Administration and Policy, Environmental Politics and Policy) and one of two plans:

Requirements for Plan A (Thesis; 30 credits)

• A minimum of 21 graduate credits in Political Science to include:
• Two methods courses: 1) EITHER Approaches to the Study of Politics (POLS620) OR Scope and Methods (POLS624) AND 2) one of the following: Qualitative Methods in Political Science (POLS621), Quantitative Methods of Political Research (POLS625) OR Public Policy Analysis (POLS665).
• At least two courses in each of two subfields in Political Science.
• Satisfactory performance on oral presentation of thesis.
• Thesis (a maximum of 6 credits may be allowed for preparation of the thesis.)
• A research tool as determined between the student and the committee.

Requirements for Plan B (Non-thesis; 36 credits)

• A minimum of 24 credits in approved courses in Political Science, at least 18 of which must be at the graduate level, to include:
• Two methods courses: 1) EITHER Approaches to the Study of Politics (POLS620) OR Scope and Methods (POLS624) AND 2) one of the following: Qualitative Methods in Political Science (POLS621), Quantitative Methods of Political Research (POLS625) OR Public Policy Analysis (POLS665).
• A minimum of 24 graduate level credits.
• Satisfactory performance on oral presentation of professional paper.
• A professional paper.
• A research tool as determined by the student and the committee.