Political Science (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:

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. GRE scores in verbal and quantitative sections.
  4. Three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who are qualified to judge the student’s academic and professional potential.
  5. Statement of Purpose (1 or 2 pages) describing the applicant’s interest in political science, major field of study, and career goals.
  6. 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 Credits)

POLS 6330Public Institutions and the Policy Process

3

POLS 6340Political Theory

3

POLS 6370Research Methods and Applied Statistics

3

Prescribed Electives-9-Credits

Choose ONE course from each of the following subfields

Governance and Policy Process
POLS 6331Agenda and Information Control

3

POLS 6332Theories of Policy Formulation

3

POLS 6333Policy Analysis

3

Politics of Race Gender and Class
POLS 6310U.S. Race and Ethnic Politics

3

POLS 6323Gender Theory in World Politics

3

POLS 6336Inequality and the Welfare State

3

World and Borderland Politics
POLS 6320Theories and Concepts of World Politics

3

POLS 6321Global Political Economy

3

POLS 6322Nationalism and Borderland Politics

3

Capstone Requirement (6 Credits)

Thesis Option

POLS 7300Thesis I

3

POLS 7301Thesis II

3

Non-Thesis Option

(A petition must be made to the Graduate Coordinator to pursue this option)
Choose 6 hours from the subfield not selected as the primary subfield above.

Written Comprehensive Exam

Choose one of the following subfield concentrations:

All 12 hours must be chosen from ONE subfield.
(3 hours may be taken outside of political science with permission from the Graduate Coordinator)

Governance and Policy Process (12 Credits)

POLS 6310U.S. Race and Ethnic Politics

3

POLS 6331Agenda and Information Control

3

POLS 6332Theories of Policy Formulation

3

POLS 6333Policy Analysis

3

POLS 6334Class, Power, and the State

3

POLS 6335U.S. Economic Policy

3

POLS 6336Inequality and the Welfare State

3

POLS 6337U.S. Environmental Policy

3

POLS 6338Applied Policy Research

3

POLS 6341Democratic Theory

3

POLS 6380Independent Study

3

POLS 6393Special Topics in Governance and Policy Process

3

World and Borderland Politics (12 Credits)

POLS 6320Theories and Concepts of World Politics

3

POLS 6321Global Political Economy

3

POLS 6322Nationalism and Borderland Politics

3

POLS 6323Gender Theory in World Politics

3

POLS 6325Global Social Movements

3

POLS 6380Independent Study

3

POLS 6392Special Topics in World and Borderland Politics

3

Total Credit Hours: 36