Political Science with a Concentration in Governance and Policy Process (MA)
Overview
The primary objective of the Master of Arts in Political Science is to provide graduates with training and expertise in selective subfields such as Governance and Policy Process, World and Borderland Politics, and the Politics of Race, Gender, and Class. The degree will
- Enhance student competence in the content, principles, and methods of political science;
- Prepare students for entry into jobs requiring a sound knowledge of statistical and other research methods; and
- Equip students with the skills necessary for jobs in secondary and community college education, governmental and quasi‐governmental agencies at all levels of government, non‐profit organizations, and the media.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Have completed at least 12 hours of undergraduate courses in Political Science and/or Public Policy, including POLS 2370 (Introduction to Political Science Research, with a statistics lab).
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours completed in major coursework, and a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate political science coursework.
- GRE scores in verbal and quantitative sections.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who are qualified to judge the student’s academic and professional potential.
- Statement of Purpose (1 or 2 pages) describing the applicant’s interest in political science, major field of study, and career goals.
- Curriculum vitae/resume of educational background, including any volunteer and/or work experience.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Requirements
Required Courses - 9 Hours
Concentration Courses - 12 Hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only be applied once.
Choose from the following:
Non-Thesis Option
A petition must be made to the Graduate Coordinator to pursue this option.
Prescribed Electives – 15 Hours
Governance and Policy Process - 3 Hours
Politics of Race Gender and Class - 3 Hours
World and Borderland Politics - 3 Hours
Prescribed Electives – 6 Hours
Choose two from the following:
Capstone Requirement
Written Comprehensive Exam
Thesis Option
Prescribed Electives - 9 Hours
This degree plan includes courses that appear in more than one section of the degree plan. Such courses can only be used to fulfill one requirement on the degree plan and credit hours will only applied once.
Choose one course from each of the following:
Governance and Policy Process - 3 Hours
Choose one:
Politics of Race Gender and Class - 3 Hours
Choose one:
World and Borderland Politics - 3 Hours
Choose one:
Thesis – 6 Hours
Total Credit Hours: 36