Master of Arts in Political Science

Turn political insight into impact in a wide range of fields.

Our program invites you to explore how politics influences human life and society across local and global contexts. You’ll gain analytical and critical-thinking skills to better understand complex systems and intersections of law, power, culture and identity. Our recent graduates have established careers in numerous fields and disciplines.

You can focus your M.A. degree on your interests by choosing one of our areas of study:


Apply for Admission
Explore Campus

Get an Early Start on Graduate Study

Our accelerated B.S. or B.A. and M.A. program allows you to take graduate-level courses while an undergraduate, saving you time and resources.

At a Glance


36 credit hours


In person


Full or part time


Start in the fall


Career Outlook for M.A. in Political Science Graduates

Average mid-career salary for alumni:

Top job titles for alumni:

Top employers for alumni:

Source: Steppingblocks, {{steppingBlocksSourceYear}}


How to Apply

A bachelor's degree in political science is preferred to be considered for admission. Outstanding candidates with degrees from related fields (e.g. public administration, sociology, psychology, economics) who have completed substantial coursework in political science will also be considered.

A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.20/4.00 is required.

You’ll apply through the Graduate School.

Fall application deadline: Jan. 15

Application Materials

Your application materials will include:

  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your ability to succeed in a graduate-level program. The individuals who submit letters for you should have an academic relationship with you and be able to attest to your academic performance and suitability/readiness for graduate study. If this is not possible, letters from those who know you in a professional capacity may be substituted.
  • Personal statement (750 words or less) that outlines your preparation for graduate study in your chosen field, your goals for graduate school and beyond, why you believe our program can best help you meet your goals, and your research interests.
  • Writing sample (30 full pages or less) that demonstrates your ability to write competently in English, to construct a coherent argument, and/or your capacity to conduct empirical research of a social science-related topic. It could be a research paper from a course, a senior thesis or capstone project, a manuscript prepared for journal submission or a published article. It can be a section of a longer document or a document in its entirety.
  • Current resume/C.V. in PDF format that includes your academic background, research interests, any paid and/or voluntary work experience, any achievements or awards, any involvement in academic conferences, any publications or works-in-progress, and a brief list of references.
  • GRE scores (optional): Should you wish to submit GRE scores, you may submit an unofficial copy. Please ensure your name and all scores are legible.

Costs and Funding

Our competitive tuition and fees helps ensure an excellent return on the investment of your time and resources.

Funding is available to all applicants and is awarded on a competitive basis. To receive funding, you must be in good academic standing with the department. We review funding requests in the spring semester. We also work with other university units, such as the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, to secure assistantships or fellowships (with tuition waivers) for our graduate students.

If you receive an assistantship/tuition waiver, you're expected to enroll full time and work a maximum of 20 hours a week for a graduate faculty member.

Learn about additional funding opportunities for graduate students.

Assistantships

You can expect to receive two years of support from a graduate assistantship, which provides:

  • A stipend for fall and spring semesters
  • A tuition waiver that covers most, but not all, tuition-related costs

Curriculum and Requirements

You may write a thesis. An oral comprehensive examination is required upon completion of all coursework or during the last term of study.

View Degree Requirements


Faculty

Our faculty bring diverse experiences and scholarship from our core areas of study, with specializations such as democracy in developing countries, environmental policy and political psychology. They’re committed to involving students in their research and providing learning opportunities that prepare them for career success.

More About Our Faculty