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Political Science ProgramPhotos of Students and Faculty

The Master's Degree - The Practical Track

For the practical track students are required to take POS 501 Introduction to the Graduate Study of Politics and POS 502 Methods of Inquiry. Students must take either POS 511 Seminar in American Politics or POS 512 Seminar in State Politics, and they must take one of two practical politics seminars, POS 562 Practical Politics Seminar in Political Campaigns or POS 563 Practical Politics Seminar in Lobbying and Policy Analysis. The other two required courses are the internship (POS 520-524) and closure (POS 590). The degree consists of a minimum of 40 credit hours, this leaves 4 classes for electives.

The only prerequisite is an undergraduate research methods class. The department will determine whether previous coursework fulfills this requirement. If it does not, you are required to take POS 451, Empirical Political Analysis. You are allowed to take up to 12 credit hours at the 400 level, thus this course will count toward your degree.

Concentration in Practical Politics 40 Hrs.

Foundation Seminars:

  • POS 501 Introduction to the Graduate Study of Politics 4 Hrs.
  • POS 502 Methods of Inquiry 4 Hrs.

Subject Matter Seminar:

  • POS 511 Seminar in American Politics

    OR

  • POS 512 Seminar in State Politics 4 Hrs.

Advanced Seminars:

  • POS 562 Practical Politics Seminar in Political Campaigns

    OR

  • POS 563 Practical Politics Seminar in Lobbying

    OR

  • POS 564 Policy Analysis 4 Hrs.

Internships: (choose one, no more than two)

  • POS 520 Internship in Teaching Process
  • POS 521 Internship in the Electoral Process
  • POS 522 Internship in the Legislative Process
  • POS 523 Internship in the Executive Process
  • POS 524 Internship in International Policy 4 or 8 Hrs.

Electives 12-16 Hrs.

POS 590 Closure Exercise: (choose one) 4 Hrs.

    • Comprehensive Examination
    • Masterís Project in Practical Politics
    • Thesis