Political Science, M.A.
Credits: 30
CIP Code: 451001
Program Overview
For the M.A. degree in political science, the Department requires a minimum of twenty-four (24) graduate hours, attendance at the weekly Departmental Seminar and a thesis. A final oral examination of the thesis and courses taken by the student is required. Blacks and the American Political System, Scope and Methods of Political Inquiry courses are required of all students pursuing the Master of Arts degree in Political Science. Students will select other courses according to their research interests.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the General Admissions Requirements as published in this Catalog, applicants to the Master of Arts Degree in Political Science must have been awarded a Bachelor's degree with a major in Political Science from a regionally accredited four-year college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Consideration may be given to other applicants whose academic preparation in related social sciences suggests that they are capable of successfully pursuing the Master of Arts Degree in Political Science. The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is required.
Program Objectives
- Present major theories, concepts, systems, and methodologies used in the study of politics and international relations.
- Discuss the foundations, institutions, processes and values that shape politics within and among states and the world and emphasize the importance of political engagement.
- Prepare students to explore issues or problems in national and global political systems.
- Apply key analytic and theoretical frameworks to sub-fields of political science to formulate hypotheses, research questions and evaluate arguments based on these frameworks.
- Prepare students for advanced studies and careers in political science or related fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students pursuing the Master of Arts Degree in Political Science will:
- Identify and analyze the structure and operation of the U.S. and other political systems.
- Construct and evaluate analytical and logical arguments in national and global politics.
- Communicate effectively in oral and written formats issues on political systems to diverse audiences.
- Explore the theoretical and practical values of national and international political systems, political engagement, and global citizenship.
- Identify and gather information from credible primary and secondary sources to conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the General Degree Requirements as published in this Catalog, students pursuing the Master of Arts Degree in Political Science must complete a minimum of thirty (30) graduate credits of coursework including six (6) graduate credits in Thesis Research.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coures | ||
| CPSC 500 | Departmental Seminar | 0 |
| CPSC 553 | Blacks & the Amer Pol System | 3 |
| CPSC 602 | Scope & Method of Polt Inquiry | 3 |
| Electives in Political Science | ||
| Select 18 credits of the following: | 18 | |
| African Politics: | ||
| Int'l Relations of Afr Studies | ||
CPSC 590 | ||
| Gov't & Politics of Modern Afr | ||
| Seminar in African Politics | ||
CPSC 596 | ||
| African Political Economy | ||
| Soc Clev & Political Conflict. | ||
| Comparative Politics: | ||
| Comparative Political Systems | ||
| Gov't & Politics of Latin Amer | ||
| Politics in Developing States | ||
CPSC 532 | ||
CPSC 534 | ||
| Politics of Revolutionary.. | ||
CPSC 536 | ||
| Gov't & Politics of Caribbean | ||
CPSC 538 | ||
| Third World Women & Dev. | ||
| Politics of Multinational Corp | ||
| Politics and Education | ||
| Seminar on Comparative Politic | ||
| International Politics: | ||
CPSC 533 | ||
| International Relations | ||
CPSC 571 | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy | ||
| Third Nations & Int'l Politics | ||
CPSC 575 | ||
| Military Power in Int'l Rel. | ||
| International Organizations | ||
CPSC 578 | ||
| Politics of Int'l Trade | ||
| Theory and Methodology: | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Afr Amr Political Thought | ||
| African Political Ideas | ||
| Philosophy of Science | ||
CPSC 603 | ||
| Seminar in Political Theory | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Problems in Political Sci Res. | ||
CPSC 609 | ||
| US Government and Politics: | ||
CPSC 502 | ||
CPSC 503 | ||
CPSC 504 | ||
| Political Parties | ||
CPSC 506 | ||
CPSC 507 | ||
| Seminar in Southern Politics | ||
| The United States Presidency | ||
CPSC 510 | ||
| American Federalism | ||
| American Political Process | ||
CPSC 514 | ||
CPSC 515 | ||
CPSC 516 | ||
| Women in Political Seminar | ||
| U.S. Constitutional Law | ||
CPSC 550 | ||
CPSC 551 | ||
| Seminar in US Gov"t & Politics | ||
CPSC 554 | ||
| Urban Politics: | ||
| Black City Politics | ||
| Seminar in Urban Problems | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
CPSC 520 | ||
| Urban Political Movements | ||
| Atlanta City Politics | ||
| Political Demo & Urban Change | ||
| Approaches..Study of Urban Pol | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Departmental Seminar
The Department of Political Science Graduate Seminar is a long-standing tradition that is central to the vision and mission of the graduate program. The Departmental Seminar brings together all faculty and students in a mandatory weekly discussion that includes:
- Departmental orientation
- An exchange of ideas and understandings about political theory, praxis, and contemporary issues often with invited guests.
- Presentations of faculty and student research
- Student organization meetings
Departmental Seminar attendance is mandatory. Students in the M.A. program are required to attend until the formal acceptance of their thesis proposal. Master’s students must attend at the very minimum two (2) full semesters of the Departmental Seminar. Students receiving extended financial support beyond the completion of coursework or the formal acceptance master’s thesis proposal may be required to attend additional semesters of the Departmental Seminar.
Research Tool
Candidates for the Master of Arts degree must demonstrate proficiency in the use of one research tool from among the following: a foreign language, statistical analysis, or computer information systems. Each student in consultation with their adviser will decide which research tool will best facilitate their program of study. The research tool is not counted among the total required political science courses (24).
Master’s Thesis: 6 Credits
All students pursuing the Master of Arts degree in Political Science must complete a scholarly analysis and presentation of a significant research problem in political science. As a preliminary phase to this process, each candidate must fully constitute a thesis committee and submit and orally defend a thesis proposal that outlines the methodological procedures and theoretical framework that will be employed in completing the proposed research. Students must enroll in at least six (6) hours of thesis research or consultation courses. Six (6) hours thereof will be awarded upon completion of the thesis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPSC 701 | M.A. Thesis Consultation 1 | 1-6 |
| or CPSC 705 | M.A. Thesis Research | |
| Total Hours | 1-6 | |
- 1
Students may need to take CPSC 701 M.A. Thesis Consultation (1 credit) depending on progress toward thesis research.
Final Examination
An oral examination covering the student’s Thesis Research and graduate courses is required.
Political Science, M.A.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| CPSC 500 | Departmental Seminar | 0 |
| CPSC 553 | Blacks & the Amer Pol System | 3 |
| CPSC 602 | Scope & Method of Polt Inquiry | 3 |
| CPCS XXX | Graduate Elective 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CPSC 500 | Departmental Seminar | 0 |
| CPCS XXX | Graduate Elective 1 | 3 |
| CPCS XXX | Graduate Elective 1 | 3 |
| CPCS XXX | Graduate Elective 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CPSC 500 | Departmental Seminar | 0 |
| CPCS XXX | Graduate Elective 1 | 3 |
| CPSC 701 or CPSC 705 |
M.A. Thesis Consultation 2 or M.A. Thesis Research |
1-3 |
| Hours | 4-6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CPSC 500 | Departmental Seminar | 0 |
| CPCS XXX | Graduate Elective 1 | 3 |
| CPSC 701 or CPSC 705 |
M.A. Thesis Consultation 2 or M.A. Thesis Research |
1-3 |
| Hours | 4-6 | |
| Total Hours | 26-30 | |
- 1
All electives must be at graduate level and in Political Science.
- 2
Students may need to take CPSC 701 M.A. Thesis Consultation (1 credit) depending on progress toward thesis research