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.