Program Overview

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Program Overview

The University of Waterloo offers a Master of Arts in Political Science, which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the field and the opportunity to conduct original research.

Thesis Requirements

Students have the option of completing a major research paper (MRP) or a thesis for their final project. The process for completing a thesis is outlined below.

Choosing a Supervisor

Students are required to submit their Thesis Supervisor Form by October 10. Students are encouraged to meet informally with faculty members early in their first term to discuss possible topics for their Thesis. A listing of faculty, and their areas of research, can be found on the Department faculty listing webpage.

Thesis Degree Requirements

A student must achieve an overall average of 80% in their first term courses in order to be permitted to follow the Thesis option.

Courses

• All students are required to take 3 courses in the Fall term (PSCI 600 plus 2 PSCI electives).
• Students must complete the equivalent of 4 one-term graduate level Political Science courses (0.50 unit weight), including PSCI 600 Theories and Methods of Political Analysis
• The overall average achieved in the 4 credit courses should be at least 70%.
• Reading courses may supplement regular offerings in the program, although it is understood that they will be approved at the discretion of the Department. Students will normally be permitted to take one reading course as part of their degree.

Milestones

Milestones are non-course degree requirements (such as the academic integrity workshop, co-op work term report, master’s research paper, etc.) that must be met in order for a student to graduate. Students can keep track of their milestone progress by viewing their unofficial transcript in Quest.

• Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
• Master’s Seminar
  • Students are required to participate in a Master’s Seminar (also referred to as a Methods Workshop) in the Winter term: they will present their in-progress Thesis/MRP work, receive and provide feedback to fellow students.
• Master’s Thesis Proposal (not recorded in Quest)
  • 6-10 pages, double spaced
  • Students are also required to submit a timeline for the submission of their rough drafts (individual chapters and/or the entire paper) and their final paper. This should be done in consultation with your supervisor. The final copy of your research proposal should be signed by your supervisor.
• Master’s Thesis Proposal defence (not recorded in Quest)
  • Students doing a Thesis will be required to defend their Thesis Proposal by the end of their first term before an examining committee consisting of the Graduate Chair (or designate), the prospective supervisor, and the prospective co-supervisor (second reader).
• Master’s Thesis and Thesis defence
  • The Thesis is the equivalent of 4 one-term courses (0.50 unit weight), and therefore should occupy roughly half of the students allotted time of graduate studies.
  • Students must submit and defend a Thesis embodying the results of original research. The written Thesis document should be 80-100 double spaced pages in length.

Thesis Formatting and Submission

Formatting of Thesis

Students must review Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs thesis regulations for proper formatting. Theses formatted incorrectly will not be accepted.

Front Matter

Roman numerals should be used for the Front Matter content. Front matter content | Page Number | Notes
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Title Page | i - page number should not be displayed | see example below
Author’s Declaration | ii | see wording below
Abstract | iii | none
Acknowledgements | iv | none
Dedication | v | optional
Table of Contents | vi | see details below
List of Figures | vii | if applicable
List of Tables | viii | if applicable
List of Illustrations | ix | if applicable
List of Abbreviations | x | if applicable

Table of Contents

Everything after the Table of Contents page needs to be listed on the Table of Contents. The Introduction begins on page 1 (bottom centre pagination).

Title Page

The title page must read as follows: Title of thesis by Full name of author (name must appear as it does on Quest) A Thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfilment of the Thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in Political Science

Author’s Declaration

The Author’s Declaration must read as follows: I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this Thesis. This is a true copy of the Thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my Thesis may be made electronically available to the public.

Thesis Defence

Upon completion, the second reader provides the main supervisor with a written assessment of the Thesis. When both agree the Thesis is acceptable, the Graduate Chair or supervisor will appoint an examination committee. Please note that a minimum of 15 business days’ notice is required for a defence to be scheduled.

Composition of the Graduate Examination Committee

• Composed of four faculty members, including the Graduate Chair (who acts as the Committee Chair)
• The main supervisor should be from the Political Science Department (a co-supervisor or second reader can be from another department)
• One member must be someone who is not on the supervisory committee. This "external" member may be selected from either within or outside the department.

Final Submission

After a successful thesis defence, and once final revisions have been made, students will upload their thesis to UWSpace. Theses submitted electronically will be indexed by the Library and the National Library, and will be accessible electronically.