The MASTER’S DEGREE

The MA degree program is designed to join the basic theoretical pursuits of political science with the practical knowledge needed by effective public officials and political practitioners. The only prerequisite of this 40-hour program, is an undergraduate research methods class. The department will determine whether previous coursework fulfills this requirement. If it does not, students are required to take PSC 451, Empirical Political Analysis. Students are allowed to take up to 12 credit hours at the 400 level, thus this course will count toward the MA degree.

Degree Requirements (40 Hrs.)

Core Courses (12 Hrs.)

PSC 501 Introduction to the Graduate Study of Politics (4 Hrs.)

PSC 502 Methods of Inquiry (4 Hrs.)

PSC 503 Graduate Research Methods is strongly recommended as an elective for students pursuing graduate study at the doctoral level.

Electives/Internships (28 Hrs.)

To allow students to specialize in a subfield, an area of emphasis of at least 16 hours may be chosen in consultation with an advisor.  An area of emphasis is not required.

Areas of Emphasis

American National and State Politics

Select from the following:

PSC 402, PSC 403, PSC 404, PSC 405, PSC 406, PSC 408, PSC 409, PSC 410, PSC 412, PSC 420, PSC 423, PSC 510, PSC 511, PSC 512, PSC 513, PSC 517, PSC 518, PSC 519, PSC 562, PSC 563, PSC 564

Comparative Politics/International Relations

Select from the following:

PSC 462, PSC 463, PSC 464, PSC 470, PSC 472, PSC 473, PSC 474, PSC 476, PSC 477, PSC 515, PSC 516

Political Theory

Select from the following:

PSC 424, PSC 428, PSC 432, PSC 433, PSC 435, PSC 436, PSC 437, PSC 438, PSC 514, PSC 533

 

Public Law

Select from the following:

PSC 415, PSC 416, PSC 419, PSC 420, PSC 421, PSC 441, PSC 462, PSC 472, PSC 513, PSC 519

Internship

PSC 530 Graduate Internship in Political Science (1 to 8 hrs.)

A maximum of 8 hours of internship can be applied toward the degree as elective hours.

PSC 590 Closure Exercise (4 Hrs.)             

Select one:

• Comprehensive Examination
• Participant/Observer Case Study
• Thesis