Graduate Program

The Master of Arts in political science provides a wide range of opportunities for students of various interests or goals. The M.A. program affords both concentration and flexibility so that majors may acquire in-depth knowledge in selected aspects of politics as well as appropriate skills in political analysis. Majors may arrange a program to prepare themselves for such endeavors as law school, further graduate work, teaching, or government service. The curriculum also serves interested students in other majors, such as business, education, economics, English, geography, history, journalism, psychology, social studies or sociology, who wish to enhance their backgrounds by taking a minor or specific coursework. Completion of the master’s degree in political science entails fulfillment of both the general Graduate College requirements and the specific departmental requirements listed below. A major may select either the thesis or coursework only option. Once an option has been selected, any change in the option must be approved by the department.

The graduate curriculum in political science is divided into six fields of specialization. The student who elects to write a thesis must take at least nine course hours in one of these fields, and the thesis topic must be within the field. Under the non-thesis option, at least twelve course hours must be taken within a single field. Under the non-thesis option the candidate must take a comprehensive written examination. All candidates must take a general oral examination.

Director of Graduate Studies

Dr. Cheryl Brown
Director of Graduate Studies
737 Smith Hall
(304) 696-3598
brownca@marshall.edu

General Departmental Requirements

Admission to the graduate program requires GRE Exam and completion of 12 hours undergraduate political science coursework with a GPA of 2.5. Each student works closely with a graduate advisor throughout his or her program. Before completion of 18 hours of graduate coursework with at least a 3.0 GPA, the student must file a Plan of Study with the Graduate College. At this time, a specific program for the student is projected which will lead to the M.A. degree.

Hours:  Minimum requirements .......32-36

1. Political Science 600 and 604 (required of all majors) .............6
2. Field of Concentration (minimum) ....................................…....9-12
3. Second field............................................................. ...............6
4. Minor or cognate .....................................................................6
5. Thesis ..................................................................................…6
6. Electives ..................................................................................6

Graduate Field Concentrations

American State, Local and Urban Politics: 536, 540, 561, 606, 611, 612, 621, 648, 675.
American National Politics: 517, 523, 533, 536, 540, 542, 560, 584, 606, 611, 612, 652.
Comparative Politics: 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 522, 524, 529, 614, 652.
International Politics: 505, 506, 515, 516, 520, 523, 524, 529, 531, 609.
Political Theory: 518, 518, 521, 525, 526, 528, 529, 530, 531, 556, 629.
Public Administration and Public Policy: 531, 533, 542, 550, 552, 553, 554, 618, 660.

Courses numbered Political Science 580 through 583, 601, 650, and 651 may be counted in an appropriate area of specialization upon the approval of the advisor.