Political Science
DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Students pursuing the M.A. degree program in Political Science must complete PSC 7000 (Research Concepts and Approaches) and one course from each of three concentrations: Political Theory, American Government, and International Relations/Comparative Politics. Students must also complete at least six elective courses from any of the three concentrations in political science. Most students satisfy their degree coursework by completing 10 three-credit graduate-level courses in political science, but students may complete up to six credits of graduate coursework (normally, two courses) in another department. A total of thirty credits is required for the degree.
Students who have completed at least 3 political science graduate courses with a cumulative GPA above 3.60 may request permission to pursue three-credits of independent study research (PSC 9080 Read and Research) with a faculty supervisor. Students who are interested in pursuing an independent study course must submit a short research proposal that must be approved by the Graduate Program Director and the faculty advisor who is supervising the student’s research. The Independent Study Course will count as one of your elective courses. Please speak with the Graduate Program Director if you would like to pursue this option.
Students must also pass a written comprehensive capstone exam in their final semester of study.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REQUIREMENT
All students must successfully pass a written comprehensive exam in their final semester of study. The M.A. Comprehensive Exam consists of two take-home essays. Each essay response should be approximately ten typewritten pages with one-inch margins. The first essay must be drawn from the general pool of political science questions. The second essay can be drawn from the sub-field specific questions in American Government, Comparative Politics, OR International Relations.
The exam questions will be made available at the beginning of the academic year. The M.A. Comprehensive exams are administered twice annually and should be handed in by the Friday following Fall or Spring break. Students who need to rewrite one or both exam questions should submit their revised essays on the Friday of the last week of classes (Reading Day). Students who complete their final graduate courses in the Summer can request permission from the Graduate Director to take their Comprehensive exams during the Summer session.
The Comprehensive Exam essays will be graded according to the student’s ability to demonstrate mastery of substantive material and integrate concepts learned in their classes. Students are expected to cite specific material covered in multiple classes. The Comprehensive Exam essays will be graded as “exceeds expectations,” (i.e. A or A-), “meets expectations,” (i.e. B+ or B) and “does not meet expectations” (B- or lower). Students must obtain a grade of B or higher on both questions to pass the exam. Students may rewrite one or both exam questions if they fail to obtain a grade of B or higher on their first attempt. Failure to pass second comprehensive capstone exam will lead to denial of the degree.
COMBINED BACHELOR/MASTER PROGRAM IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
A select group of highly qualified students are invited to apply for the combined bachelor/ master degree program. Students should apply directly to the program director in their junior year of undergraduate study. Students will then be permitted to double-count up to nine credits of graduate study towards both their bachelor and master degrees. Students are eligible for up to six credits of tuition remission in the last semester(s) of their master’s degree. Students will work closely with their advisor to ensure the appropriate graduate coursework is taken while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Students must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.00 and students are not permitted to enroll in more than 16 credits while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Students should refer to the Combined Bachelor Master Programs website for detailed policies and procedure.
The qualifying and comprehensive exams consist of four pools of questions (General, American Government, Comparative Politics, and International Relations). Students have to answer two questions. The first question must be drawn from the pool of general questions. The second question must be drawn any of the other three pools. Students cannot answer the same questions on the comprehensive capstone exam as they did on the earlier qualifying exam.
Each answer should be roughly ten typewritten pages with one-inch margins. The questions are available at the beginning of the academic year. The exams are written at home. Exams are administered twice annually and should be handed in by the Friday following fall or spring break. The retake exams are due on the Friday of last week of classes. (Reading Day)
Answers will be graded according to the student’s ability to demonstrate mastery of substantive material and integrate concepts learned in their classes. Students are expected to cite specific material covered in classes. Three grades are possible: “exceeding expectations,” “meeting expectations” and “not meeting expectations”. Students who fail the exam must retake it. Failure to pass a second qualifying exam will result in dismissal from the program. Failure to pass second comprehensive capstone exam will lead to denial of the degree.
CERTIFICATES
Students may earn a certificate in either American Politics or International Relations by satisfactorily completing five graduate courses in one of those two areas. Students may also choose to combine the MA in Political Science with a Certificate in Applied Statistics or a Certificate in Non-Profit Management. Curricula for these combined programs can be found on the Department of Political Science's website.