Master of Arts in Political Science

Director of Graduate Studies:
Jim Butterfield,
Room 3352, Friedmann Hall

The Master of Arts in Political Science offers the student a variety of options to prepare him/her for various career goals: (1) positions in the public service and quasipublic agencies; (2) further professional training in political science and related professions, such as law; (3) teaching positions in community colleges; and (4) general positions in the business world.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of The Graduate College, a student must have completed at least twenty-four hours of work in the social sciences or other relevant fields and have achieved a 3.0 grade point average. Graduate Record Exam scores for the quantitative, verbal, and analytical parts are required for all students. Additional materials to be submitted include a brief essay about the student’s academic and professional objectives, a curriculum vitae, and three recommendations (on WMU Graduate Reference Forms). The department may require the student to make up deficiencies in undergraduate preparation.

Program Requirements

The program is 30 credit hours and allows students to choose between the thesis and non-thesis options. Requirements in the two options may not be interchanged. Students should meet with the Director of Graduate Studies before registering for classes their first semester.

Thesis Option

1. Thirty hours of graduate credit in Political Science.

With the written approval of the Graduate Director, a student may substitute up to two courses with a maximum of eight hours of cognate work appropriate to his/her program.

2. Each student is required to take the following core courses (15 hours) or their equivalent:

PSCI 6010 - Foundations of American Politics Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6410 - Foundations of Comparative Politics Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6640 - The Nature of Political Inquiry and Analysis Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6940 - Teaching Political Science Credits: 1 hr.
PSCI 6960 - Research and Professional Skills Credits: 2 hrs.

And one of:

PSCI 6620 - Political Philosophy I Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6630 - Political Philosophy II Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6650 - Modern Democratic Theory Credits: 3 hrs.

3. Master’s Thesis

PSCI 7000 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 6 hrs.

4. Pass an oral examination on the thesis and on the student’s political science program.

Non-Thesis Option

1. Thirty hours of graduate credit in Political Science.

With written approval of the Graduate Director, a student may substitute up to two courses with a maximum of eight hours of cognate work appropriate to his/her program.

2. Each student is required to take the following core courses (15 hours) or their equivalent:

PSCI 6010 - Foundations of American Politics Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6410 - Foundations of Comparative Politics Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6640 - The Nature of Political Inquiry and Analysis Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6940 - Teaching Political Science Credits: 1 hr.
PSCI 6960 - Research and Professional Skills Credits: 2 hrs.

And one of:

PSCI 6620 - Political Philosophy I Credits: 3 hrs.
PSCI 6630 - Political Philosophy II Credits: 3 hrs.
or
PSCI 6650 - Modern Democratic Theory Credits: 3 hrs.

Master of Arts in Political Science

Admission Requirements

Program Requirements

Thesis Option

1. Thirty hours of graduate credit in Political Science.

2. Each student is required to take the following core courses (15 hours) or their equivalent:

And one of:

3. Master’s Thesis

4. Pass an oral examination on the thesis and on the student’s political science program.

Non-Thesis Option

1. Thirty hours of graduate credit in Political Science.

2. Each student is required to take the following core courses (15 hours) or their equivalent:

And one of:

3. Pass written and oral field examinations on the student’s political science program.