Master of Arts in Political Science 
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Political Science  
Program Website 
Academic Plan Code(s): POLSMA, POLSMA_ACC

Program Information

The Department of Political Science, in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers graduate training leading to the Master of Arts degree. In addition, the Department participates in a joint degree program with the Brandeis School of Law.

The MA is designed to allow a student to pursue a degree either full or part time. Most graduate-level courses are offered in the evening. The MA is oriented toward those who wish to pursue advanced training in political science or a position in the public, private, or non-profit sector.

The Department of Political Science is especially strong in two fields of study: International Politics and American Politics. Students are encouraged to concentrate their coursework in one of these fields.

The field of International Politics includes comparative politics and international relations. Members of the Department faculty are experts in the politics of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, North America, and Europe; they also study human rights, international law, diplomacy, religion and political violence, and climate change, among many other areas.  The Center for Asian Democracy also has dedicated faculty and post-doctoral students who lend their expertise to the Department and organize public events.

The field of American Politics involves the study of U.S. political institutions, political behavior, and public policy. Members of the Department faculty possess expertise in law and public policy, political psychology, race and American politics, judicial decision making, religion and democracy, environmental policy, gender, sexuality, and politics, and urban politics.

Accelerated BA-BS/MA

The Department of Political Science also offers its undergraduate majors an opportunity to earn both a BA (or BS) degree and an MA degree at an accelerated pace.  The non-thesis track of the program allows students to complete twelve (12) credit hours of graduate coursework while enrolled as undergraduate students. The thesis track of the program allows students to complete nine (9) credit hours of graduate coursework while enrolled as undergraduate students. 

Interested students should apply to the program during their Junior year (i.e., when they have accumulated 60-90 hours of credit). Students must be political science majors with a GPA of approximately 3.2 or higher.

To apply, students must obtain two letters of recommendation from faculty attesting to their ability to do high-quality academic work at the graduate level. Students must also write a personal statement where they describe their professional or occupational objectives, areas of interest in political science, and how the department’s program (and specific faculty) will help to achieve those objectives. The GRE is not required.

Joint MA/JD Program

The Department of Political Science offers a joint MA/JD program in partnership with the Brandeis School of Law. This program generally allows the student to obtain the MA and JD degrees in a four-year course of study. 

Student participating in the dual degree program will be able to combine Law courses and Political Science courses to create well-defined concentrations of study. Examples include environmental law and politics, negotiations and dispute resolution, administrative law and politics, federalism, international law and politics, comparative law and politics, civil rights and liberties, constitutional law and politics, and race, law, and politics.

Students in the JD/MA program must complete 81 hours in the JD curriculum (instead of the normal 90 hours) and either 21 hours in the MA curriculum (instead of the normal 30 hours) for the Thesis Option or 27 hours in the MA curriculum (instead of the normal 36 hours) for the Non-thesis Option.

To be admitted into the program, the student must (1) apply to, (2) meet the admission requirements of, and (3) be accepted by both the Brandeis School of Law and the Department of Political Science.

Program Requirements

Students may select from one of three options for their graduate studies:

1. The general MA in Political Science (thesis),
2. The general MA in Political Science (non-thesis)

The curricula for these options are described below.

Thesis Option

*

 From Political Science or other departments. Up to six (6) elective credit hours may be at the 500-level. Up to three (3) credit hours may be independent study.

Non-Thesis Option

**

From Political Science and other departments. Up to six (6) elective credit hours may be taken outside of Political Science. Up to nine (9) elective credit hours may be taken at the 500-level. Up to three (3) credit hours may be independent study credit.