Master
of Arts in Political Science
http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/political-science/degrees.html
Faculty
Professors: Thomas Brunell, Anthony M.
Champagne, Marie I. Chevrier, Harold D. Clarke, Euel
Elliott, Edward J. Harpham,
L. Douglas Kiel, Robert C. Lowry, Marianne C.Stewart
Associate Professors: Jennifer S. Holmes, Linda Camp Keith, Gregory S. Thielemann
Assistant Professors: Patrick Brandt Brandon Kinne,
Banks Miller, Clint Peinhardt
Senior Leturers: Brian Bearry, Karl Ho
The mission of the Master of Arts in
Political Science (MAPS) degree is to offer advanced instruction in the social
science literature and theories about politics, citizenship and governance. The
program serves the interests and needs of talented students who can commit
initially to a 30-hour program but may be attracted subsequently to the Ph.D.
program, as well as those who can commit initially to the doctoral program but
subsequently decide not to complete the program. The Master of Arts in
Political Science further can satisfy the interests and talents of students who
"fast-track" in the Political Science undergraduate program and who want an
additional year of more rigorous, sharply focused graduate coursework in
Political Science.
Objectives
Students in the Master of Arts in
Political Science program will:
•Demonstrate the ability to apply political science theories
and concepts to the study of citizenship, governance and politics.
•Develop a competency in one of the fields of
Democratization, Globalization and International Relations; Government and
Political Institutions and Processes; or Decision Making and Public Management.
•Develop basic skills in professional communication
appropriate to political science research and analysis.
•Develop competency in analysis, evaluation, and research
design relevant to political science research and analysis.
Facilities
Students
have access to the computing facilities in the
Admissions Requirement
The
University’s general admission requirements are discussed here.
The Master of Arts in Political
Science seeks applications from students with a baccalaureate degree from an
accredited university or college. Although applications will be reviewed
holistically, in general, entering students have earned a 3.0 undergraduate grade
point average (on a 4.0 scale), and a combined verbal and quantitative score of
at least 1100 on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). Standardized test
scores are only one of the factors taken into account in determining admission.
Students should also submit all transcripts, three letters of recommendation,
and a one-page essay outlining the applicant’s background, education, and
professional objectives. Applications are reviewed by the Political Science
Program Committee in the
Undergraduate
students who are interested in completing their undergraduate degrees while
simultaneously taking graduate courses in the M.A. in Political Science program
are expected to meet the School’s "fast-tracking" requirements.
Prerequisites
While
there are no specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from
exposure to undergraduate courses in the Economic, Political and Policy
Sciences, statistics, and research design. In cases where undergraduate
preparation is not adequate, students may be required to take additional course
work before starting the master's program.
Transfer Policies
Students who have previous graduate work pertinent to the
requirements of a master’s program may be given up to 12 hours of transfer
credit, and the hours of coursework required for the degree will be reduced
accordingly. Students desiring to transfer graduate courses thought to be
equivalent to core courses may be required to demonstrate competency through
examination. The award of such transfer credit must be consistent with the
University’s "Transfer of Credit" policy.
Degree Requirements
The
University’s general degree requirements are discussed here.
Students
seeking a Master of Arts in Political Science must complete at least 30
semester credit hours of work in the program, must receive a grade of B- or
better in all required courses, and must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point
average to graduate.
The
curriculum has two components:
(1) Fifteen semester hours of required coursework
(2)
Fifteen semester hours of prescribed
electives
Required Courses (15 hours)
All students should complete the
core courses as soon as possible.
All
of the following:
Two of the following:
Prescribed
Electives (15 hours)
a) Two
additional courses at the 5000 or 6000 level in the Democratization,
Globalization and International Relations field; the Institutions and Processes
field; or the Decision Making and Public Management field.
b) Three
additional courses at the 5000 or 6000 level in one of the above fields, or
methodology courses such as applied regression (EPPS 6316) or other methods
courses offered throughout the School, or up to three credits of optional
thesis (independent study).