2024-2025 Graduate Catalog Politics and Government

401 Schroeder Hall
Campus Box 4600

(309) 438-8638
Pol.IllinoisState.edu

Chairperson: T. Y. Wang

Programs Offered

M.A./M.S. with sequences in Applied Community and Economic Development, Global Politics, or Public Service. Students may complete the M.A./M.S. degree in Political Science without a sequence.

Course Finder

Political Science Program

Degree Offered: M.A., M.S.

Students who do not elect a sequence complete the following 32-hour program:

  • 3 hours: POL 496
  • 3 hours: POL 497 or POL 461
  • 12 hours: POL 400-level seminars chosen from POL 411, POL 421, POL 431, POL 441, POL 451, POL 461, POL 463, POL 470, POL 497 (NOTE: One seminar only may be replaced with 3 hours of summer POL 400 or POL 490, with prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator and a letter from the instructor certifying that the content adequately substitutes for a regular seminar.)
  • a thesis (a thesis, 4-6 hours POL 499) or comprehensive exam
  • electives as needed to reach a total of 32 hours chosen from POL 400-level or POL 300-level courses listed on Course Finder as approved for graduate credit. With prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator, electives may include up to 3 hours of relevant graduate courses from other departments.

Applied Community and Economic Development Sequence

The Applied Community and Economic Development (ACED) sequence is designed for returned Peace Corps Volunteers and students with equivalent domestic or international experience with other agencies. There are two options for degree completion.

Option I—Capstone

This 40-hour option requires:

ACED Core

Option II—Thesis

This 36-hour option requires:

ACED Core:

With prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator, electives may include up to 3 hours of relevant graduate courses from other departments.

Global Politics

Global Politics and Culture is a 32-hour sequence designed for students interested in the increasingly inter-connected politics of the modern world.

Option I—Thesis

Requirements are as follows:

  • 9 hours including POL 496, POL 441, POL 451
  • 3 hours of POL 461 or POL 497
  • 12 hours of POL 400-level seminars chosen from POL 411, POL 421, POL 431, POL 441, POL 451, POL 461, POL 463, POL 470, POL 497 (NOTE: One seminar only may be replaced with 3 hours of summer POL 400 or POL 490, with prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator and a letter from the instructor certifying that the content adequately substitutes for a regular seminar.)
  • 4-6 hours of POL 499
  • Electives as needed to reach a total of 32 hours, representing a range of sub-disciplines of political science, chosen from POL 400-level or POL 300- level courses listed on Course Finder as approved for graduate credit. With prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator, electives may include up to 3 hours of relevant graduate courses from other departments.

Option II—Comprehensive Exam

Requirements are as follows:

  • 9 hours including POL 496, POL 441, POL 451
  • 3 hours of POL 461 or POL 497
  • 12 hours of POL 400-level seminars chosen from POL 411, POL 421, POL 431, POL 441, POL 451, POL 461, POL 463, POL 470, POL 497 (NOTE: One seminar only may be replaced with 3 hours of summer POL 400 or POL 490, with prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator and a letter from the instructor certifying that the content adequately substitutes for a regular seminar.)
  • Electives as needed to reach a total of 32 hours, representing a range of sub-disciplines of political science, chosen from POL 400-level or POL 300- level courses listed on Course Finder as approved for graduate credit. With prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator, electives may include up to 3 hours of relevant graduate courses from other departments.
  • Pass a comprehensive exam

Public Service Sequence

Public Service is a 32-hour sequence designed for students interested in employment in the public sector, particularly at the state and local level.

Option I—Thesis

Requirements are as follows:

Option II—Comprehensive Exam

Requirements are as follows: