2025-2026 Graduate Catalog Politics and Government

401 Schroeder Hall
Campus Box 4600

Chairperson: Jim Scott

Programs Offered

M.A./M.S. with sequences in General Political Science, Applied Community and Economic Development, Global Politics, or Public Service.

Course Finder

Political Science Program

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

General Political Science Sequence

This 32 hour sequence requires:

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:

6 hours POL 496, and POL 497 or POL 461
12 hours POL electives
3 hours of POL 495

ACED Core

6 hours: POL 470/SOC 470, POL 477/SOC 477
2 hours: ECO 478/POL 478/SOC 478
3 hours: ECO 406
8 hours: POL 498A12 or POL 498A90 (The sequence ends with a required 11-month internship arranged through the Stevenson Center)

Option II—Thesis

This 36-hour option requires:

6 hours POL 496, and POL 497 or POL 461
9 hours POL electives
4 hours of POL 499

ACED Core:

6 hours: POL 470/SOC 470, POL 477/SOC 477
2 hours: ECO 478/POL 478/SOC 478
3 hours: ECO 406
6 hours: POL 498A12 or POL 498A90 (The sequence ends with a required 11-month internship arranged through the Stevenson Center)

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:

9 hours of POL 496, POL 421, POL 431
3 hours of POL 497 or POL 461
12 hours selected from POL 411, POL 412, POL 421, POL 422, POL 430, POL 432, and POL 498
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
POL electives as needed to reach the total of 32 hours; with prior approval of 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 of POL 496, POL 421, POL 431
3 hours of POL 497 or POL 461
12 hours selected from POL 411, POL 412, POL 421, POL 422, POL 430, POL 432, and POL 498;
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.)
POL electives as needed to reach the total of 32 hours; with prior approval of Graduate Coordinator, electives may include up to 3 hours of relevant graduate courses from other departments.
Pass a comprehensive exam