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Dec 26, 2024
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2013-2014 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Political Science (M.A.)
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Offered through the Political Science department, the master of arts program meets the educational and professional needs of three groups of students: (1) working professionals and other adults desiring to improve their qualifications or seeking a greater understanding of political life; (2) those planning to become high school teachers or instructors in twoyear colleges; and (3) students wishing to prepare for Ph.D. or other advanced study. The degree requirements are structured, therefore, to provide students with an education which prepares them for a mature grasp of politics, a respect for intellectual integrity, and an ability to communicate effectively.
Graduate work in political science is offered in American government and politics, comparative government and politics, international relations, and political thought.
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Please note:
- Master’s students should earn 60% or more of their credit hours in courses numbered 700 or higher.
- No more than three hours of “non-class” seminars of courses (e.g., readings, problems, internships) are allowed to count toward the 30 hours required for the M.A.
Additional Requirements:
- Written Comprehensive Examination
- Written Research Requirement:
Option A: This option requires 30 hours of graduate credit, including 2 hours of credit for a written research report. Of the remaining 28 hours, at least 19 must be in political science
Option B: This option requires 30 hours of graduate credit, including 2 hours of credit for a written research report. Of the remaining 28 hours, at least 19 must be in political science.
Option C: This option requires 30 hours of graduate credit in political science, of which at least four courses should be 800-level seminars taken from at least three different professors. In addition, students in this option submit four seminar research papers acceptable to the professors involved. Master of arts with a certificate in international service (42 credit hours)
The purpose of the M.A. degree in Political Science with a Certificate in International Service is to prepare students for a career in a variety of areas including: Diplomacy, Intelligence, International Business, International Agriculture, the Military, Non-Governmental Organizations, the United Nations, and many others.
The certificate program is part of the M.A. program, and the basic requirements of the M.A. program must be met in order to obtain the degree and the certificate. The certificate cannot be earned without the degree. Requirements for certificate option
Language examination
No credit will be given for language courses, but the student must pass a language examination. Choice of language will depend on the student’s area of specialization and will be chosen in consultation with his/her advisor. Except in the most exceptional cases, language examinations will be administered by the Department of Modern Languages. In addition
In addition to the five core classes listed above under the MA program, all students must take the following Political Science courses. Total Units 24 (including 15 core hours)
Other Required Courses
One graduate course in history selected in consultation with advisor and either: Note
The remaining 12 hours will consist of specialized courses which must be at the 600 level or higher, have an international focus and must be on a par with those required for the political science MA. A three credit internship in the student’s area of specialization may be substituted for one of these courses. Written requirement
Candidates must meet a written requirement. The written requirement can be satisfied in one of the following ways:
- The candidate may take the four seminar paper option.
- The candidate may take the three hour internship option under the specialized course requirement. The internship will include a written report. The written portion of the internship would be the equivalent of the two hour report offered in the traditional MA program.
- The candidate may take under the specialized course requirement, a two hour report instead of the internship.
- The candidate may take under the specialized course requirement the traditional six hour thesis option. With this option the candidate would be allowed to combine the three hour reading option with the two hour report option plus an additional one hour reading to provide the six hours required for the thesis. If this option is taken, the 12 hour specialized course requirement would consist of six hours of traditional course work and six hours of thesis. Oral examination will take place as indicated in the MA description above.
Comprehensive examination MA with international service emphasis
All Master of Arts degree aspirants selecting the International Service emphasis must successfully complete comprehensive written and oral examinations, normally in the last semester of study. Students shall receive evaluation of their performance on the written examination approximately two weeks after the examination. Notification of performance on the oral exam will typically take less time. Passing performance on both the written and oral components of the comprehensive require threequarters majority of the student’s committee. The committee will give as an overall grade one of the following: Pass with Honors; Pass; Fail
If a candidate fails either component of a master’s examination, he or she may be allowed to take that component a second time. This cannot take place fewer than two months or more than fifteen months after the failed examination unless an extension is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School. No third examination will be allowed.
Students are reminded that they must complete their internships, reports, and related course requirements before they are eligible to receive their degrees. Also, students must be enrolled for a minimum of one credit hour the semester they expect to receive their degrees. |
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