International and Comparative Politics, MA

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Program Description

The Master of Arts in International and Comparative Politics prepares students who intend to continue their education in a Ph.D. program in international relations, comparative politics, or a related field. The program also provides continuing international education opportunities for those working in the public or private sector. Graduate seminars, education abroad, and practicum opportunities enable students to explore the scholarship in their field and its applications. Students may select from among five specialized Major Fields: Area Studies, Peace and Security Studies, Intelligence Studies, Global Gender Studies, or International Organizations.  Students are required to complete or demonstrate proficiency either in quantitative research methods or modern foreign language. How many hours in the major elective coursework depends on which track the student chooses: Research or Exam.  On the Research Track, students will choose between a (1) traditional thesis or (2) a project developed in consultation with a committee of program advisors.  Those on the Exam track will take a general examination over one’s core, methods and major area of study. The program offers a dual degree option with the Master of Public Administration. (Students intending to pursue the dual degree must apply separately to both degree programs.)

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the International and Comparative Politics M.A. degree program must meet the graduate school’s admission criteria, and should additionally demonstrate in their letter of application how their undergraduate and/or professional record will be enhanced by participation in the program. Candidates should also prepare an essay that discusses a current issue or policy related to international affairs or comparative politics. The essay should be approximately 500 words and should use secondary sources. Once all application materials have been received, students will be contacted by the Program Director to conduct an admissions interview.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of theory and methods from core courses to answer exam questions about the state of International and Comparative Politics

• Evaluate the literature in a chosen major field in response to exam questions from areas of International and Comparative Politics

• Demonstrate adequate grasp of the core and elective materials to merit a Masters Degree in International and Comparative Politics

• Accurately summarize materials from the coursework of the student’s designed Program of Study  

For More Information

• International and Compararative Politics, MA
• School of Social Sciences and International Studies
• College of Liberal Arts

Program Requirements:

I. Core Requirements

• PLS 7030 - International and Comparative Politics Research Design Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 7200 - Grad Seminar in IR Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 7300 - Theories of Comparative Politics Credit Hour(s): 3

II. Methodology

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OPTION:

• PLS 7010 - International and Comparative Politics Statistics I Credit Hour(s): 3

FOREIGN LANGUAGE OPTION:

*Students may demonstrate proficiency in a modern language and complete the methodology requirement by submitting evidence of an undergraduate major in a modern language (within the last 5 years) or by completing the language proficiency testing offered through the Department of Modern Languages. Students may only count graduate-level courses (5000-level and above) toward the final credit hour count to complete the program.

Demonstrate or achieve proficiency through first semester course of the third level of a modern language (example: CHI 3110, FR 3110, GER 3110, SPN 3110)

III. Major Field: 15 or 21 Hours

RESEARCH TRACK: 15 HOURS

Students on the Research track must take 15 semester hours (5 courses) of major field electives in a related field to help develop expertise in their intended area of research.

**Students are not permitted to count “Independent Readings” courses (PLS 6910) toward this total.

Major Fields of Concentration: Area Studies; Peace and Security Studies; Intelligence Studies; Global Gender Studies; or International Organizations.

EXAM TRACK: 21 HOURS

Students on the Exam track must take 21 hours of major field electives, in preparation for the general exam.

**Students are not permitted to count “Independent Readings” courses (PLS 6910) toward this total.

Major Fields of Concentration: Area Studies; Peace and Security Studies; Intelligence Studies; Global Gender Studies; or International Organizations.

IV. Exam, Thesis, or Project: 1 or 8 Hours

RESEARCH TRACK - THESIS OR PROJECT: 8 HOURS

For those on the Research Track of our MA Program, students choose to do a thesis or project totaling 8 hours.

• PLS 7980 - Graduate Project Credit Hour(s): 1 to 8

• or

• PLS 7990 - Graduate Thesis Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 8

EXAM TRACK: 1 HOUR

• PLS 7970 - Graduate General Examination Credit Hour(s): 1 *

• *offered the spring of the second year, repeatable

Total: 31-38 Hours