Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Arts in Political Science

The Master of Arts in Political Science is a graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in academia, with equal emphasis on training students for both the research and teaching sides of such a career. Most students in the MA program intend to pursue a PhD either at Temple or elsewhere, immediately after graduation or after a few years of employment.

About the Program

The primary mission of the Political Science Department's graduate program is to prepare students for careers in academia. The department gives equal emphasis to training students for both the research and teaching sides of such a career. The program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis, with classes offered after 3:00 p.m. The time limit for degree completion is 3 years, and the campus location is Main.

Areas of Specialization

The program offers courses in:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Political Theory
• Methodology

Job Prospects

Most students in the MA program intend to pursue a PhD immediately after graduation or after a few years of employment. Some MA students use the degree to establish or strengthen credentials in teaching or for private/public sector positions, while others want to strengthen their background for applications to other professional degree programs.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline

The application deadline is December 15. Late applications may not be considered.

Letters of Reference

• Number Required: 2
• From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with academic competence.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline

A baccalaureate degree is required.

Statement of Goals

In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, share your interest in Temple's program, research goals, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores

• GRE: Optional. Scores may be submitted if available.
• Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master's degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
  • TOEFL iBT: 100
  • IELTS Academic: 7.0
  • PTE Academic: 68

Writing Sample

The writing sample should demonstrate your ability to research and write a scholarly paper. The paper should be no more than 25 pages and fully referenced according to a professional, scholarly style manual.

Transfer Credit

Graduate coursework in Political Science may be transferred from outside the University, provided that the credits were obtained no more than five years prior to the student's matriculation at Temple and the grades are "B" or better. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements

• Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30
• Required Courses:
  • Core Course: POLS 8001 - Political Statistics I (3 credits)
  • Subfield Courses: 9 credits (select three from the following)
    • POLS 8101 - Government in American Society
    • POLS 8201 - Comparative Politics
    • POLS 8301 - International Politics
    • POLS 8401 - Introduction to Political Theory
  • Electives: 15 credits
  • Methodology Course: POLS 8002 - Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits) or POLS 8003 - Political Statistics II
• Total Credit Hours: 30

Culminating Event

• Seminar Paper: Students must complete a seminar paper in one of their elective courses. All graduate elective courses give students the option of writing a seminar paper as a central element of the course grading.

Accelerated Programs

Undergraduate students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

Eligibility

The accelerated pathway for the Political Science MA is only available to undergraduate students in the Political Science BA.

• Cohort Code: XMAPOLS
• Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.50

Graduate Courses Approved to Count for Both Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees

• POLS 8001 - Political Statistics I (3 credits)
• Take any combination of the following for a total of 9 credits:
  • POLS 8003 - Political Statistics II
  • Two or three approved POLS 8000+ electives

Suggested Academic Plan

Plan of Study Grid:

• Year 3: Spring - Approved POLS 8000+ elective (3 credits)
• Year 4:
  • Fall - POLS 8001 - Political Statistics I (3 credits)
  • Spring - Select two of the following: (6 credits)
    • POLS 8003 - Political Statistics II
    • Approved POLS 8000+ elective
    • Approved POLS 8000+ elective

Admissions Criteria

Candidates for the +1 program must:

• Be a declared Political Science major
• Have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA and be able to complete their baccalaureate degree within two years of program entry
• Have at least a 3.50 GPA in Political Science coursework
• Provide a statement of purpose
• Have two letters of support from faculty and/or professionals who can vouch for the student's readiness for graduate work
• Apply in the fall semester of their junior year for spring admission and be able to complete the graduate degree in one additional year