COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Learn more about the Master of Arts in Political Science.

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. 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. Those who wish to pursue a PhD at Temple are strongly encouraged to apply directly to the PhD program at the outset of the admissions process. 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.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Students complete the degree program through classes offered after 3:00 p.m. The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Areas of Specialization: We offer courses in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, as well as 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.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Prior to applying for admission, students sometimes want to take courses as non-degree students. Those who wish to do so must first obtain the approval of the Graduate Chair in the Political Science Department to determine if the individual stands a reasonable chance for admission to the MA or PhD program. Then, the prospective student must visit the Office of Continuing Studies with transcripts from all institutions attended, including the one that conferred the undergraduate degree, to be enrolled in the coursework.

Financing Opportunities: MA students are not eligible for departmental assistantships.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: December 15

Late applications may not be considered.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

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.

NOTE: Students who are ultimately interested in earning a doctoral degree in Political Science at Temple University should apply directly to the PhD program.

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:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Course
POLS 8001	Political Statistics I	3
Subfield Courses		9
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 1		15
Methodology Course
POLS 8002	Qualitative Research Methods	3
or POLS 8003	Political Statistics II
Total Credit Hours		30

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All students should consult with their faculty advisor on course selection and exam preparation. Students select two elective courses in two main fields and one in a third minor field. Those who plan to continue into the PhD program should take their two main-field elective courses in the two fields in which they plan to complete written comprehensive exams and the third in a minor field.

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. Students must submit the seminar paper, with the instructors' comments and grades, to the Graduate Chair. The Graduate Chair must certify that these papers meet the seminar paper requirement (i.e., contain original arguments grounded in extensive reference to relevant secondary and/or primary sources). Such certification must be granted before the degree is awarded.

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.

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

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
POLS 8001	Political Statistics I	3
Take any combination of the following for a total of 9 credits:		9
POLS 8003	Political Statistics II
Two or three approved POLS 8000+ electives

Suggested Academic Plan

Plan of Study Grid

Year 3
Spring		Credit Hours
Approved POLS 8000+ elective		3
	Credit Hours	3
Year 4
Fall
POLS 8001	Political Statistics I	3
	Credit Hours	3
Spring
Select two of the following:		6
POLS 8003	Political Statistics II
Approved POLS 8000+ elective
Approved POLS 8000+ elective
	Credit Hours	6
	Total Credit Hours	12

Admissions Criteria

Candidates for the +1 program must:

• be a declared a 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.

Application: https://apply.temple.edu/CLA/Pages/Welcome.aspx

Contact Information

Political Science Graduate Chair
psgrad@temple.edu

Learn more about the +1 programs in Liberal Arts.

Contacts

Department Contacts: