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Political Science, MA

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  1. Degree Programs
  2. Graduate Degrees
  3. Political Science

At a Glance: program details

  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Second Language Requirement: No
Craft a program that meets your individual interests within subfields of the discipline. You'll enjoy a low student-to-faculty ratio as you receive a rigorous introduction to graduate study in political science.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: MA Political Science

The Master of Arts program in political science offers a variety of areas of specialization within and between the four main subfields of political science --- American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory --- with particular strengths in ethnoreligious dynamics, women and politics, political violence, human rights, political psychology, political economy and Latino politics.*

Faculty are also active in collaborative interdisciplinary research at ASU and with scholars at other universities; many have won major grants and awards. The school is host to the Future Security Initiative, the Center for Latina/os and American Politics Research, and an experimental lab. Faculty are also affiliated with other centers at ASU, such as the Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab; the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict; the Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies; and the Center for the Study of Economic Liberty.

The program may be taken as a terminal program or as a step toward eventual fulfillment of the requirements for the doctorate. Students who plan to obtain the doctorate at ASU should apply directly to the doctoral program.

*Students interested in a political theory specialization should consult with the academic unit before applying.


Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 30 credit hours and a portfolio
  • 30 credit hours and a thesis

Required Core Course (3 credit hours)
POS 503 Empirical Political Inquiry (3)

Other Requirements (6 credit hours)
focus area course (3)
POS 603 Polimetrics I or second focus area course for political theory (3)

Electives (15 or 21 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (0 or 6 credit hours)
POS 599 Thesis (6) or
portfolio (0)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students who select the thesis option must submit a written thesis and hold an oral defense. Students who select the portfolio option must submit a written paper and hold an oral defense.

The course POS 603 Polimetrics I may be substituted with permission of both the director of graduate studies and the faculty advisor. Students in the political theory focus area take a second focus area course instead of POS 603.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. personal statement
  4. writing sample
  5. three letters of recommendation
  6. list of political science courses taken
  7. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The personal statement should be one to three pages and describe the areas of political science the applicant wishes to study, postgraduation goals, and why the School of Politics and Global Studies is the best fit. Applicants may also mention any faculty members with whom they are interested in working and explain why, and provide context for any discrepancies in their educational background.

The writing sample is typically a research paper or other similar paper that demonstrates the applicant's critical thinking and writing skills in political science or a related field. There is no length requirement for the writing sample, but it should be a sufficient length for the admission committee to evaluate the applicant's knowledge and skills.

To assist in evaluating all candidates, the applicant should list titles and related information for all previous undergraduate and graduate courses or coursework in political science or related fields. The list must be saved as a .pdf, .doc, .rtf or .txt file and uploaded with the online graduate admission application. The information should be in a table with the following column headings: Course Title, Undergrad Credit Hours, Graduate Credit Hours, Grade, Institution, Year.

Undergraduate coursework in political science is not a prerequisite for admission. However, master's degree students should have a basic understanding of elementary statistics and the undergraduate content of the political science fields of concentration that they wish to study. Students should allow sufficient time to acquire such a background.


Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

BS - Political Science

BS - Political Science

Are you interested in politics and public issues in the United States and abroad? Do you see yourself heading to law school, working on political campaigns or serving as a diplomat? Springboard your education in preparation for a wide variety of careers, both inside and outside of government.

Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE

BS - Politics and the Economy

BS - Politics and the Economy

Would you like a deeper understanding of political and economic problems in the global context? You can gain a solid foundation in both economics and political science while using quantitative analysis and modeling to learn how you can make a difference in addressing important world issues.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

BA - Global Studies

BA - Global Studies

Study how cultures, economics, institutions and social issues shape our increasingly globalized world. Through a global experience or an internationally focused internship, you'll put your learning to work as you help to address current challenges.

Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE

BA - Political Science

BA - Political Science

Are you interested in politics and public issues in the United States and abroad? Do you see yourself heading to law school, working on political campaigns or serving as a diplomat? Springboard your education in preparation for a wide variety of careers, both inside and outside government.

Website | Locations: TEMPE,ONLNE


Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.



Next Steps to attend ASU

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Application Deadlines

Fall

Fall

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type
Session A/C
In Person
April 1st
Final


Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for research or applied careers in political science in government, nonprofits and the private sector. Career examples include:

  • campaign consultant
  • campaign strategist
  • data analyst
  • lobbyist
  • research specialist

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • spgs@asu.edu
  • 480/965-8563


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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