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Department of Politics and Government
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M.S./M.A. in Political Science

Overview

The Department of Politics and Government offers a master's degree in Political Science in order to promote human knowledge and skills in the areas of scholarship, teaching, and service in and about the political dimensions of social life.

The Department of Politics and Government graduate program serves several types of students with a multi-track program. The department offers courses and program options both to students who are planning to pursue further graduate education and to students who, for reasons of career enhancement or of specialized training for employment, are seeking a master's degree as their ultimate goal.

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Desired Learning Outcomes

  • Apply critical thinking to understand and evaluate political ideas, institutions and processes at the local, national, and global levels, and express that analysis both in writing and orally, using a diversity of research methodologies.
  • Articulate their views on a variety of political concerns in a context of respect for academic principles and tolerance for dissenting views.
  • Identify normative issues and make informed and well-reasoned judgments in complex environments.
  • Recognize and explain the dimensions of the significant events, ideas, individuals, social movements, and institutions that have shaped our world.
  • Formulate a critically informed position on participation and citizenship in local, national, and global communities.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to coursework requirements, graduate students in Political Science must also complete either a Master's Thesis or a series of Comprehensive Exams.

Students in the Applied Community and Economic Development Sequence must complete either a 39-hour option" (with Capstone) or a "35-hour option" (with Thesis) for graduation.