The Master of Arts in Political Science delves into popular topics including American government theory and process, comparative politics, contemporary political institutions, defense and security, domestic and foreign policy, legislative behavior, and political philosophy. In this era of polarization in government, there is a great demand for people who possess knowledge of how government works, as well as the research, writing, and analytical skills needed to evaluate domestic policies at all levels of government. Knowledge gained in this online program provides an advanced foundation for those interested in fields such as government, military, the gaining and holding of elected positions, nonprofit administration, or other professions including academia or law where strong interpersonal and communication skills are required.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Analyze the fundamental theories and philosophies of government, governance, economy, and civil society and apply them to contemporary political systems.
- Evaluate the political elements of representative democracy, and compare and contrast those elements with other political systems.
- Assemble and evaluate the appropriate information and data used in the social, economic, foreign affairs, and security policy-making realm.
- Assess the actors and processes involved in policymaking and evaluate policy implementation outcomes in various sectors to include the social, economic, foreign policy, and security policy domains.
Degree at a Glance
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 18 | |
| Select one of the following concentrations: | 12 | |
| Final Program Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Elective Requirements | 3-6 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 36 | |
Degree Program Requirements
Core Requirements (18 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POLS510 | The U.S. Presidency, Congress, & Bureaucracy 1 | 3 |
| POLS501 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| IRLS502 | International Political Systems | 3 |
| PADM530 | Public Policy | 3 |
| POLS512 | Diversity in American Politics | 3 |
| SSGS500 | Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 18 | |
| 1 | Required as the first course in this program. |
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a Concentration in American Politics and Government, Concentration in Comparative Government and Development, Concentration in International Relations, or Concentration in Public Policy.
Concentration in American Politics and Government (12 semester hours)
Provides insight into the democratic process of government in the U.S. Topics include all three branches of government, as well as freedoms protected by the Constitution, the role of women in changing public policy, and the division of power between federal and state governments.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Interpret the philosophical theories of constitutional democracy and federalist principles that form the basis of the U.S. political structure.
- Analyze the three institutions of government that create and implement federal policy.
- Assess why the American system of local, state, and federal government and their intergovernmental relations is an invitation to struggle.
- Evaluate the evolution of interest groups in the United States and their various roles assumed in both historical and modern democratic processes.
- Analyze the perspectives of political parties and their impact on federal, state, and local government.
- Judge the emerging impact of gender, race, language, ethnic traditions, sexual orientation, and moral principles on federal, state, and local government.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
| U.S. Constitutional History | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Group Behavior | ||
| Legislatures and Legislative Behavior | ||
| The Presidency: Institution and Performance | ||
| Judicial Politics, Process, and Policy Making | ||
| Federalism: The American Governance Process | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in Comparative Government and Development (12 semester hours)
Uses the comparative method of analysis to study democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, and authoritarian forms of government. Topics include Al Qaeda, the relationship between military and government affairs, mediation between opposing factions, and economics, including the readings of Karl Marx.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Evaluate the "national interest" and how it is formulated through a comparative studies approach.
- Assess the role of culture, politics, economics, the defense establishment, and domestic constraints in decision making and policy making in various political regimes.
- Analyze the impact of foreign policy on domestic decisions as well as domestic considerations on foreign policy.
- Critically assess the unique principles, structure, and organization of the major international organizations.
- Evaluate the role of international organizations in addressing issues of economic development, free and unrestricted trade, capital investment, conflict resolution, threats to international order, terrorism, and war crimes.
- Assess the economic and political processes in international development; diagnose social issues in international development; appraise the need for sustainable international development.
- Examine the prospects of governance by international organizations.
- Evaluate the multidimensional effects of globalization.
- Assess alternatives to current policies in the post-Cold War era and examine their impact on the United States, its allies, regional powers, and the international system.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IRLS501 | Comparative Political Systems | 3 |
| Select 3 courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Society, Class and Wealth | ||
| Politics and War | ||
| International Negotiation | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Regional Security Cooperation | ||
| International Terrorism | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in International Relations (12 semester hours)
Discusses various international issues through coverage of international organizations like the Red Cross and the United Nations, as well as the governments of Latin America, Korea, and the Middle East and the use of modern statistical methods and models to solve problems.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Construct a theory about the distinct nature of conflict in the post-Cold War era.
- Assess the norms and purposes of international structures and regimes.
- Critique the political, economic, military, and cultural differences between the Northeast Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern regions.
- Analyze global military developments since the mid-twentieth century.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
| International Relations Theory | ||
| International Organizations | ||
| Strategic Geography and Geopolitics | ||
| Government and Security in Korea | ||
| Latin American Security Issues | ||
| Seminar in Middle East Politics and Security | ||
| International Law | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Concentration in Public Policy (12 semester hours)
Discusses a variety of security, economic, foreign, and domestic policy issues at the national, state, and local levels. Topics include budgeting and expenditures, data analysis through statistics, management of large bureaucracies, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Assess the prioritization of American domestic, economic, and foreign policy issues.
- Evaluate the policy-making environment and the role of economic, political, cultural, and organizational factors that affect decision making in the United States.
- Analyze the role of the Executive Branch, Congress, the Department of Defense, appropriate Cabinet Departments and the separated armed services in the formulation of security and domestic policy.
Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Homeland Security and Defense | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Administrative Theory | ||
| Public Administration in Society | ||
| Public Management | ||
| Public Finance | ||
| Program Appraisal | ||
| Local Political Administration | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
Final Program Requirements (0-3 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 1 course from the following: | 0-3 | |
| Portfolio and Critical Reflection Paper Capstone in Political Science 1 | ||
| Comprehensive Examination in Political Science (0 semester hours) 1 | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 0-3 | |
| 1 | Taken once all other requirements have been met. |
Elective Requirements (3-6 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select any graduate courses not already taken to fulfill the requirements listed above. | 3-6 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 3-6 | |