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Department of Political Science

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The Master's Degree

Earn a Master of Arts in Political Science

We help you develop skills to conduct original research (as opposed to merely consuming it).

Courses are offered in tandem with our Ph.D. program. Our program is ideal if you plan on, or are considering, pursuing a Ph.D. later on.

Coursework & Examination

You must complete 36 units, of which at least 28 units must be in 200-level political science courses, including POSC 201, POSC 202A and POSC 203.

In addition, you must complete at least one course from at least three of the five fields below.

Up to eight units of academic work in related fields may be approved by the graduate advisor as part of the 36 units.

A comprehensive examination must be passed in one of the following fields:

  1. Comparative Politics. You must complete the core course, POSC 217, and at least one additional course in the field.
     
  2. International Relations. You must complete the core course, POSC 216, and at least one additional course in the field.
     
  3. American Politics. You must complete the core course, POSC 249, and at least one additional course in the field.
     
  4. Mass Political Behavior. You must complete the core course, either POSC 255, or POSC 256, and at least one additional course in the field.
     
  5. Political Theory. You must complete the core course, POSC 212, and at least one additional course in the field.

Current students can contact the Graduate Advisor for Political Science Marissa Brookes at Marissa.Brookes@ucr.edu for further information.

Prospective student can contact the Director of Graduate Admissions for Political Science Paul D'Anieri at paul.danieri@ucr.edu for further information.