Program Overview

Master's Program in Political Science

The MA in Political Science is an innovative and research-focused program geared towards preparing students for a wide variety of career paths across the public and private sectors. In addition to the regular program, Waterloo graduate students have access to a co-op option, the largest program of its kind in the world.

Program Details

Students will have the opportunity to work with internationally and nationally-renowned scholars in the discipline of Political Science. The MA Program offers training in all major fields of the discipline, including:

• Canadian Politics
• Comparative Politics
• Gender and Politics
• International Relations
• Political Economy
• Political Theory
• Public Policy

Professional Development

Following the introduction of our new PhD Program in the Fall of 2022, our MA students will also have access to a diverse set of professional development seminars offering robust training for academic and non-academic careers.

Research Options

Students can choose between the Major Research Paper and the MA Thesis options, allowing them to tailor their projects to their own needs and preferences.

Student Opportunities

With faculty guidance, our graduate students also organize and run their own annual conference and graduate student journal, Inquiry & Insight.

Career Possibilities

The program prepares students for a wide variety of career paths across the public and private sectors. Career outcomes for MA Political Science graduates are diverse and include opportunities in both academic and non-academic fields.

University Context

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.