Political Science
Program Mission: The Master of Arts in Political Science program provides a flexible curriculum for students interested in American government, comparative politics, and international relations. Students will receive training in the advanced analytical, methodological, and theoretical approaches used in political science. The curriculum prepares students for work in public affairs, including employment in all levels of government, legal careers, campaigns, lobbying, private sector government relations, and higher education. The program also prepares students for Ph.D. or legal studies. Internships related to government, politics and the legal system are available.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see "Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs"). All applicants must submit a statement of personal goals and two letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals familiar with the applicant's academic training and potential for success in graduate school.
Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the "Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates" section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements include those outlined for the master's degree by the Graduate School (see "Requirements for the Master's Degree"). Additional requirements include a total of 33 semester hours, including research methods, a thesis or capstone project, and required courses, and electives. Students completing the Thesis must complete 27 hours in addition to the 6 hour Thesis. Students completing the Capstone Project must complete 30 hours in addition to the 3 hour Capstone Project.
Required Courses
Required courses. Total Credits 6-9
and
OR
Proseminars
Complete two of the following. Total Credits 6
Political Science Electives
Choose two courses from the following list. Total Credits 6
Public Administration and Public Policy Electives
Choose two courses from the following list. Total Credits 6
PLS 4763, 4783, 4823; 5153; and 5163 may satisfy either elective category, but will not double-count. PLS 5900 will count in the elective category appropriate to course content, but will not double count in both categories.
Additional Coursework
Students must take additional 6-13 hours of graduate-level courses from the all of the electives listed above, or the courses below.
Students completing a Thesis may count no more than 3 hours from the following courses, and students completing the Capstone Project may count no more than 6 hours from the following courses.
Graduate Assistantships
Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Department of Political Science, 2135 Coleman Hall, EIU.
Accelerated Graduate Program
Admission to the accelerated MA in Political Science requires that a student have completed a minimum of 60 hours of undergraduate course credit and have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25. In addition, applicants must have completed a minimum of 9 hours of Political Science (PLS) courses, including at least 6 hours at the 3000 level.
To apply for the accelerated MA in Political Science, applicants meeting the above requirements must submit two letters of reference and a professional goals statement to the Graduate Coordinator and must also complete the Graduate School's Accelerated Program Application.
Shared Coursework
Students may select up to three of the following courses:
Information sourced from the 2022-2023 EIU Graduate Catalog.