帝王会所

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Political Science M.A. Degree

Political Science M.A.

The Political Science Master of Arts (M.A.) degree provides students with a variety of goals and backgrounds with a rigorous and flexible course of study, an accessible faculty with diverse interests and experiences, and excellent facilities for research and study. 

Through this combination of rigorous academic training, the flexibility to specialize and develop expertise in their areas of interest, and the opportunity to work closely with faculty known for the research and teaching excellence, the M.A. in Political Science prepares students for entry to law schools and doctoral programs in political science; for working for political campaigns, interest groups, non-profits, and policy think tanks; and for entry-level local, state, and federal legislative and bureaucratic positions.

How to Prepare for Graduate School in Political Science

 

Careers with a Master's Degree in Political Science

The M.A. program prepares students for entry to law schools and doctoral programs in political science; for working with political campaigns, interest groups, non-profit organizations and policy think tanks; and for positions in local, state, and federal legislative and bureaucratic offices.

A number of our graduates have gone on to attend leading law schools and graduate programs in political science, and others have secured professional positions in government public affairs and the private sector.

More about Political Science Careers

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Political Science M.A. Courses & Degree Requirements

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The M.A. in Political Science is a 32-credit hour one-year program. The department offers a variety of courses at the graduate level, including seminars in the scope and theory of political science, research methods in the discipline, and seminars in five areas of concentration:

  • American Government
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Relations
  • Political Theory
  • Politics and Law

This breadth allows graduate students, in consultation with an adviser, to construct a program that fits their particular needs and provides students the opportunity to explore various post-graduate career options while strengthening their analytical, research and writing skills.

Elective credits can include Political Science electives, courses in a student鈥檚 specialization, and approved internships. The program also offers students either a thesis or non-thesis option as alternative routes to completing their degrees. Expected time to degree with full-time enrollment is two semesters.

Culminating Experience

Students are required to complete either an article-length academic research paper (the Significant Research Paper), a more policy-oriented project requiring research and analysis (Applied Politics Project), or in exceptional cases a thesis. All of these Capstone projects would be overseen by faculty mentors.

Research Areas We Focus On

M.A. in Political Science Financial Aid

The Political Science Department offers financial assistance in the form of Graduate Assistant and Tuition Scholarships awarded on a competitive basis. A student should indicate the types of financial aid for which they wish to be considered on the application for admission. To be considered, a prospective student should have the completed application and all required materials submitted to the Graduate College by Feb. 15.

Ava Hamilton

Contact Us

Graduate Chair: Dr. Jay Ryu

polsma@ohio.edu