Apr 02, 2025

2014-2015 General Catalog (Spring, Summer 2015)

2014-2015 General Catalog (Spring, Summer 2015) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Political Science - MA

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

Location: MAIN 320
Phone: (435) 797-1306
Fax: (435)797-3751
E-mail: politicalscience@usu.edu
WWW: http://politicalscience.usu.edu/

This program requires completion of 30 graduate credits (all courses are three credits unless otherwise designated). The Master of Arts degree requires language proficiency in a second language as determined by the Languages and Philosophy Department. The Master of Science degree requires quantitative competency. The Graduate Program consists of two area tracks with each student choosing one of the two. Completion of the degree requires a Plan A thesis or a Plan B paper. The department expectation is the completion of a Plan A thesis.

Course Requirements

American Politics and Political Theory Track

Required Courses (18 credits)

POLS 6010 - Research Design 3
Two of the following three classes: POLS 6020 ; POLS 6030 ; POLS 6280 (6 credits)
One of the following three classes from the International Security Track: POLS 6210 ; POLS 6220 ; POLS 6230 (3 credits)
POLS 6970 - Thesis Research 1-9 (at least 6 credits)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

Students must complete additional 12 credits, chosen from the following list:

Note:

Students in the American Politics and Political Theory Track may also select courses from the International Security Track.

International Security Track

Required Courses (21 credits)

POLS 6010 - Research Design 3
Two of the following three classes: POLS 6210 ; POLS 6220 ; POLS 6230 (6 credits)
One of the following three classes from the American Politics and Political Theory Track: POLS 6020 ; POLS 6030 ; POLS 6280 (3 credits)
Any 5000/6000 methods course taught inside or outside Political Science, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies (3 credits)
POLS 6970 - Thesis Research (at least 6 credits)

Elective Courses (9 credits)

Students must complete additional 9 credits, chosen from the following list:

Note:

Students in the International Security Track may also select courses from the American Politics and Political Theory Track.

Other Requirements (12 credits)

The remaining 12 credits needed for the degree may be chosen from the following, with the approval of the Graduate Director:

POLS 6910 - Graduate Tutorial 1-3 (may count up to 6 credits toward the degree, subject to approval)
POLS 6920 - Internship 1-15 (may count up to 3 credits toward the degree, subject to approval)
POLS 6970 - Thesis Research 1-9 (may count up to 3 credits toward the degree)
Approved graduate courses taught outside of Political Science 1-3