Master of Arts - Political Science

Plan Description

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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 one 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.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

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Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

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.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

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Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements 

Methods in Political Science – Credits: 6

PSC 701 - Research Design and Methodology  

PSC 702 - Advanced Quantitative Methods I  

 

Proseminar Courses – Credits: 12

PSC 710R - Proseminar in American Politics  

PSC 740 - Proseminar in International Relations  

PSC 760R - Proseminar in Comparative Politics  

PSC 780R - Proseminar in Political Theory  

 

Major Field of Study Courses – Credits: 6

In consultation with your advisor select and complete 6 credits from one of the areas listed below:

 

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 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 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 781 - Political Theory before 1500  

PSC 782R - Political Theory from 1500 to 1900  

PSC 783 - Political Theory since 1900  

PSC 789R - Special Topic: Advanced Studies in Political Theory  

 

Directed Reading – Credits: 6

PSC 795 - Directed Readings in Political Science  

Degree Requirements 

1. PSC 701 – Research Design and Methodology must be completed among the first 12 credits.
2. New students are assigned to the graduate coordinator for advising. Students will declare an advisor by submitting the Advisor Declaration Form to the Department before the completion of 12 credit hours. Each student must consult with his or her advisor and the graduate coordinator every semester before enrolling in courses.
3. A minimum of 30 credits to be completed must be pre-approved by the graduate coordinator to be counted toward the M.A. Each student must complete the six core courses (see below) as well as six credits (two courses) in one area of Political Science (American politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory); and six credits of PSC 795.
4. With department approval, students may complete a maximum of 6 graduate credits from outside Political Science. Students must obtain the permission of the Political Science graduate coordinator prior to enrolling in courses outside of Political Science otherwise the courses will not count toward the M.A. in Political Science. Courses from outside the Department that include an undergraduate component cannot be used for the degree. Independent Study (PSC 791) cannot be used to fulfill a core or elected requirement.
5. The candidate must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA at all times 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.
6. In addition to the required coursework, in consultation with his or her advisor, a student will prepare and present a professional paper. The professional paper will be supervised by a 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.

Plan Graduation Requirements

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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 or her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his or her professional paper by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.