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Program Overview
Political Science, MA
Overview
The Master of Arts in Political Science program prepares students for advanced work in political science, teaching, and research about government; a career in government and politics; and work in domestic and international nongovernmental organizations.
Admissions
Requirements
See Graduate Admission Policies for general information on graduate admission to George Mason University. Specific information on application requirements and deadlines may be found with Schar Admissions.
- Completed applications for fall and spring semesters are reviewed on a rolling basis, with late applications considered on a space-available basis.
- Students may be admitted for non-degree study and apply a limited number of credits toward the master's degree should they choose to apply to the degree program later, in accordance with university policy.
Degree Requirements
Total Credits: 36
Students should develop an education plan with their advisors that lists the courses they plan to take. The plan is approved by the student's advisor. Students may include courses from other units to complement their field of specialization; they should reflect the ideas, institutions, or processes of contemporary governance.
Core Courses
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 510 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 520 | Political Theory | 3 |
| GOVT 530 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 540 | International Relations | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Methods Courses
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 500 | The Scientific Method and Research Design | 3 |
| POGO 511 | Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
Concentration or a Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select three to five courses in the concentration or a specialization | 9-15 | |
| Total Credits | 9-15 |
Concentration in International Security (INLS)
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GOVT 744 | Foundations of Security Studies | 3 |
| GOVT 745 | International Security | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two to three courses from the following: | 6-9 | |
| GOVT 741 | Advanced Seminar in International Politics | |
| BIOD 621 | Ethics and International Security | |
| BIOD 622 | Negotiating in the International Arena | |
| BIOD 705 | Intelligence: Theory and Practice | |
| BIOD 706 | Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security | |
| BIOD 709 | Nonproliferation and Arms Control | |
| BIOD 722 | Examining Terrorist Groups | |
| BIOD 725 | Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction | |
| BIOD 760 | National Security Technology and Policy | |
| Total Credits | 12-15 |
American Government and Politics Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Field Seminars | ||
| Select two field seminars from the following: | 6 | |
| GOVT 603 | Seminar in the Courts and Constitutionalism | |
| GOVT 604 | Seminar on Congress and Legislative Behavior | |
| GOVT 605 | Seminar on the Presidency | |
| GOVT 706 | Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations | |
| Electives | ||
| Select one to three electives | 3-9 | |
| Total Credits | 9-15 |
Comparative Politics Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Field Seminars | ||
| GOVT 631 | Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions | 3 |
| GOVT 731 | Advanced Seminar in Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one to three electives | 3-9 | |
| Total Credits | 9-15 |
International Relations Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Field Seminars | ||
| Select two field seminars from the following: | 6 | |
| GOVT 741 | Advanced Seminar in International Politics | |
| GOVT 743 | International Political Economy | |
| GOVT 745 | International Security | |
| Electives | ||
| Select one to three electives | 3-9 | |
| Total Credits | 9-15 |
Electives
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select up to two electives | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 0-6 |
3 Credits of Project or 6 Credits of Thesis
A project or thesis is required for the MA in political science. Students who choose to do a project take 3 credits of GOVT 798 Political Science Research Project linked to an advanced specialty course and produce a final research project. Students who choose to do a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses. They must follow the enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in GOVT 799 Political Science Thesis, must maintain continuous enrollment as specified in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. A thesis director and a committee of two additional faculty members appointed by the school read and approve the thesis. Students should make arrangements for doing a project or thesis with their advisor.
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 3-6 | |
| GOVT 798 | Political Science Research Project | |
| GOVT 799 | Political Science Thesis | |
| Total Credits | 3-6 |
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Political Science, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates in any major may apply to the accelerated MA degree in political science. If accepted, students will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in their current undergraduate major and a Schar School master’s degree within a reduced timeframe. More information on bachelor's/accelerated master's programs may be found in AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Admission
Please see the Graduate Admissions Policies for general information on graduate admissions to George Mason University. Information specific to the accelerated master’s program may be found on the Schar School BAM website.
To be considered for this accelerated master's program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credits, including 12 GOVT credits, and have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in all coursework applied to the degree.
Accelerated Option Requirements
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students may complete up to eighteen graduate credits of which twelve may be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Remaining credits may be held as reserve graduate credit and count only toward the master's degree. The courses are chosen from GOVT 500 The Scientific Method and Research Design, GOVT 510 American Government and Politics, GOVT 520 Political Theory, GOVT 530 Comparative Politics, GOVT 540 International Relations and POGO 511 Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in these courses and in coursework applied to their major.
Upon completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to apply credits to the master's degree. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree (excluding summer).
