Program Overview

Master of Arts in Political Science with Specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies

The School of Political Studies offers a Master of Arts in Political Science with a specialization in Feminist and Gender Studies. This program is designed for students who wish to combine advanced studies in political science with analyses from a feminist and gender studies perspective.

Program Overview

The MA program is offered both full-time and part-time, and it is possible to follow the program exclusively in French. Students who enroll in their program in French must take the majority of their courses in French.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, students must have a BA with honours in Political Science or its equivalent with a minimum average of 70% (B). Students who do not have a BA with honours in Political Science but have a BA with a minor in Political Science or a BA in a related discipline and a minimum average of 75% (B+) may be accepted for a qualifying year.

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 12 units of courses, a presentation and defence of the thesis proposal, and a master's thesis. Students must also take at least one course in French.

Fields of Study

The master's program offers the following fields of study:

• International relations
• Canadian and Quebec politics
• Political thought and the analysis of ideologies
• Comparative politics
• Women and politics
• Environmental politics
• Political economy
• Citizenship, diversity, and migration

Collaborative Program in Feminist and Gender Studies

The collaborative program in Feminist and Gender Studies is designed for students who wish to combine advanced studies in their primary program with analyses from a feminist and gender studies perspective. Students must meet the requirements for a master's degree in their primary program as well as the requirements of the Feminist and Gender Studies program.

Course Requirements

The program requires the completion of the following courses:

• POL 6101: Research Methods in Political Science
• POL 6100: Seminar in International Relations
• POL 6118: Seminar in Comparative Politics
• POL 6119: Seminar in Canadian, Quebec, and Indigenous Politics
• POL 6120: Seminar in Political Thought
• FEM 5103: Feminist Methodologies
• FEM 5300: Feminist Theories

Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal must be approved by the Feminist and Gender Studies Graduate Committee as well as by the primary program. The proposal must include a clear account of the "Feminist and Gender Studies" dimension in the proposed topic of research.

Thesis

The master's thesis must be on a topic related to women, gender, feminism, or sexualities. The thesis supervisor must possess Feminist and Gender Studies expertise.

Duration of Program

Students are expected to complete all requirements within two years. The thesis must be submitted within four years of the date of initial enrollment in the program.

Minimum Standards

Students must maintain a minimum average of B during their master's program. Those who receive a grade lower than B in two courses or more will be required to withdraw.

Research at the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is one of Canada's top 10 research universities, with a strong focus on excellence, relevance, and impact. The Faculty of Social Sciences is a place of excellence in knowledge creation, research, and training, with a wide range of research themes and areas of study.

Facilities, Research Centres, and Institutes

The Faculty of Social Sciences has a number of research centres and institutes, including the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Citizenship and Minorities, the Centre for International Policy Studies, and the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies.