Political Science (MA)

Political Science

The program prepares students for careers in professional political science while providing a traditional liberal arts education.

Graduate students find exceptional resources at their fingertips. With a large full-time faculty, students have the opportunity for a close intellectual exchange with professors. Texas State is also a depository for federal and state government documents as well as a member of the Council of Research and Academic Libraries.

Course Work

The program courses are organized into four major fields: American politics, comparative politics, political theory and international relations. Students choose either the thesis track or the non-thesis track. Both thesis and non-thesis students may take nine hours of their program hours in a related field with the approval of the graduate director.

Students selecting the thesis option must complete a minimum of 33 hours of political science course work, including three required hours, six thesis hours and a thesis defense.

Non-thesis option students must successfully complete a minimum of 36 hours, including three required hours and a written examination that covers course work in the major field and takes place near the completion of the degree.

Program Details

Current master’s students have been successful in pursuing doctoral education, teaching careers or professional careers ranging from federal, state and local government to nonprofit organizations.

Program Mission

As a liberal arts program, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science is dedicated to developing analytical skills and promoting critical thinking. Students are encouraged to reflect not simply on career goals, but also on what type of person they wish to become and on the rights and duties of citizens. The program encourages students to actively employ their analytical skills by engaging in internships with various federal, state, local or nonprofit community agencies.

Career Options

Graduates of the program may choose to continue with doctoral education or law school. Other graduates may choose to advance careers in government at the federal, state and local levels. Most graduates seek careers in high school and community college education, journalism, business and nonprofit organizations.

Program Faculty

The 16 full-time graduate faculty members provide students with research emphases in politics and literature, humanitarian and refugee policy, African politics, religion and politics, Marxist-Leninist ideology, the American presidency, international political economy, security policy, Texas politics, and constitutional theory among others. Faculty members’ research has been published in top-tier journals and presses, including Foreign Policy, Critical Review, Cambridge University Press, and Oxford University Press.