Program Overview

Master of Arts in Political Science

The Master of Arts in Political Science is a 30-credit master's degree program offered by Temple University's College of Liberal Arts. This program prepares students for a robust career in academia and research, delivering a broad education in the general field of political science.

Program Overview

Students in this program study politics and the exercise of domestic and international power through a curriculum that covers four major subfields:

• American politics, which emphasizes political behavior, economy, and institutions, as well as policy and urban politics.
• Comparative politics, which focuses on democratization, the role of the state in the economy, and political violence.
• International relations, which applies a theoretical approach to world politics, including the study of global security, international political economies, and international organizations.
• Political theory, which delves into political questions of social and economic inequality in the late modernity period, including globalization, identity politics, and social movements.

Program Format & Curriculum

The program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis, with classes offered after 3:00 p.m. at Temple's Main Campus. Students have three years to complete the program. The 30-credit curriculum comprises:

• Two core courses:
  • Political Statistics I
  • Topics in Research Design
• Three subfield courses
• Five elective courses The master's program culminates in an original scholarly paper based on arguments grounded in extensive research and reference to relevant primary and secondary sources.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related graduate degrees offered by the university include:

• Public Policy MPP
• Political Science PhD

Community and Interdisciplinary Approach

The College of Liberal Arts at Temple comprises many academic disciplines and research areas, offering an interdisciplinary liberal arts education that is invaluable for future pursuits. Students work closely with diverse faculty members who are highly esteemed in their field and with a curious, passionate community of peers.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level, course load, in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. For the 20252026 academic year:

• Pennsylvania resident: $1,148.00 per credit
• Out-of-state: $1,577.00 per credit The full cost of attendance breakdown is available on the Student Financial Services website.

Accreditation

Temple University's departments and programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.