Master of Arts - Political Science

Plan Description

The Department of Political Science offers a general Master of Arts degree. Students tailor their programs with the assistance of the department’s graduate coordinator. Programs are flexible, and students may take advantage of individualized instruction. Advisory committees will approve
programs that provide an appropriate degree of specialization in two of the fields of political science with supporting studies in others.

Students can pursue graduate education in the areas of American Politics/Public Policy/Public Law, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Students can normally expect to complete the program in from one-and-a-half to two years. The department offers a number of graduate assistantships as well as internship opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels, where
students can obtain on-the-job experience. The graduate program in political science is designed to
prepare graduate students for doctoral studies, teaching positions at secondary schools and community colleges, or employment by government agencies, research centers, or private industry. Our graduates have gone on to executive positions in national, state, and local governments and to doctoral programs at top schools throughout the country.
 

Learning Outcomes

www.unlv.edu/degree/ma-political-science

Plan Admission Requirements

1. The following department application materials must be uploaded into the online application:
   1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores
   2. Two letters of recommendation by recommendation providers
   3. A personal statement explaining why you want to enter the Master’s program
2. Applicants must possess a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
3. Applicants must submit satisfactory GRE General Test scores. Minimum scores are 153 on the verbal and 144 on the quantitative sections of the exam; we also consider the analytical writing score. In unusual circumstances, students who do not meet the above criteria may still be admitted.
4. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Thesis Track
Subplan 2: Comprehensive Examination Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Thesis Track

Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements 

Required Courses – Credits: 3

PSC 701 - Research Design and Methodology 

Major Fields of Study Courses – Credits: 18

In consultation with your advisor select two major fields of study. Complete 9 credits from each of the selected major areas.

American Politics/Public Policy/Public Law

PSC 710R - Proseminar in American Politics 

PSC 712 - Intergovernmental Relations 

PSC 713 - American National Government: Principles 

PSC 714 - American National Government: Structure and Processes 

PSC 719 - Advanced Studies in American Politics 

PSC 721 - Public Policy Process 

PSC 722 - Environmental Resource Policy 

PSC 723 - Policy Analysis 

PSC 724 - Intelligence Policy 

PSC 725 - Policy Formation: The Problem of Legitimacy 

PSC 726 - National Security Policy 

PSC 729 - Advanced Studies in Public Policy 

PSC 731 - Civil Rights and Liberties 

PSC 732 - Constitutional Law 

PSC 733 - Public Law and Public Policy 

PSC 735 - Jurisprudence 

PSC 739 - Advanced Studies in Public Law 

International Relations

PSC 740 - Proseminar in International Relations 

PSC 741 - U.S. Foreign Policy 

PSC 746 - Middle East in World Affairs 

PSC 747 - Pacific Rim in World Affairs 

PSC 751 - International Political Economy 

PSC 754 - Global Governance 

PSC 755 - International Security 

PSC 759 - Advanced Studies in International Relations 

Comparative Politics

PSC 760R - Proseminar in Comparative Politics 

PSC 761 - Middle Eastern and North African Politics 

PSC 762 - African Politics 

PSC 764 - Latin American Politics 

PSC 767 - Comparative Democratization 

PSC 775 - Comparative Political Behavior 

PSC 779R - Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 

Political Theory

PSC 780R - Proseminar in Political Theory 

PSC 781 - Political Theory before 1500 

PSC 782R - Political Theory from 1500 to 1900 

PSC 783 - Political Theory since 1900 

PSC 789R - Advanced Studies in Political Theory 

Elective Courses – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of 700-level Political Science courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

Thesis – Credits: 6

PSC 796 - Thesis 

Degree Requirements 

1. A minimum of 30 credits to be completed must be pre-approved by the graduate coordinator to be counted toward the M.A.
2. The student must complete 24 credits in at least two areas of Political Science and must successfully complete three courses in each field.
3. 18 credits must be taken in graduate seminar work.
4. PSC 701 – Research Design and Methodology must be completed among the first 12 credits.
5. Students may complete a maximum of 6 graduate credits in related areas outside political science.
6. The candidate must maintain a minimum B average during the semester in order to remain in good standing. Only those courses in which a student receives a grade of B or better may be used for graduate credit.
7. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy thesis to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Comprehensive Examination Track

Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements 

Required Courses – Credits: 6

PSC 701 - Research Design and Methodology 

PSC 795 - Directed Readings in Political Science 

Major Fields of Study Courses – Credits: 18

In consultation with your advisor select two major fields of study. Complete 9 credits from each of the selected major areas.

American Politics/Public Policy/Public Law

PSC 710R - Proseminar in American Politics 

PSC 712 - Intergovernmental Relations 

PSC 713 - American National Government: Principles 

PSC 714 - American National Government: Structure and Processes 

PSC 719 - Advanced Studies in American Politics 

PSC 721 - Public Policy Process 

PSC 722 - Environmental Resource Policy 

PSC 723 - Policy Analysis 

PSC 724 - Intelligence Policy 

PSC 725 - Policy Formation: The Problem of Legitimacy 

PSC 726 - National Security Policy 

PSC 729 - Advanced Studies in Public Policy 

PSC 731 - Civil Rights and Liberties 

PSC 732 - Constitutional Law 

PSC 733 - Public Law and Public Policy 

PSC 735 - Jurisprudence 

PSC 739 - Advanced Studies in Public Law 

International Relations

PSC 740 - Proseminar in International Relations 

PSC 741 - U.S. Foreign Policy 

PSC 746 - Middle East in World Affairs 

PSC 747 - Pacific Rim in World Affairs 

PSC 751 - International Political Economy 

PSC 754 - Global Governance 

PSC 755 - International Security 

PSC 759 - Advanced Studies in International Relations 

Comparative Politics

PSC 760R - Proseminar in Comparative Politics 

PSC 761 - Middle Eastern and North African Politics 

PSC 762 - African Politics 

PSC 764 - Latin American Politics 

PSC 767 - Comparative Democratization 

PSC 775 - Comparative Political Behavior 

PSC 779R - Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 

Political Theory

PSC 780R - Proseminar in Political Theory 

PSC 781 - Political Theory before 1500 

PSC 782R - Political Theory from 1500 to 1900 

PSC 783 - Political Theory since 1900 

PSC 789R - Advanced Studies in Political Theory 

Elective Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of 700-level Political Science courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

Degree Requirements 

1. A minimum of 33 credits to be completed must be pre-approved by the graduate coordinator to be counted toward the M.A.
2. The student must select at least two areas of Political Science and must successfully complete three courses in each field.
3. PSC 701 – Research Design and Methodology must be completed among the first 12 credits.
4. 18 credits must be taken in graduate seminar work.
5. Students may complete a maximum of 6 graduate credits in related areas outside political science.
6. Complete PSC 795 – Directed Readings in Political Science, which encompasses preparation for and taking of, written and oral examinations.
7. The candidate must maintain a minimum B average during the semester in order to remain in good standing. Only those courses in which a student receives a grade of B or better may be used for graduate credit
8. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.

Graduation Requirements 

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must successfully pass written and oral examinations administered by the advisory committee by the posted deadline.

Plan Graduation Requirements

Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements.

Subplan 1: Thesis Track
Subplan 2: Comprehensive Examination Track