Political Science

Program Mission: The Master of Arts in Political Science program provides a flexible curriculum for students interested in American government, comparative politics, and international relations. Students will receive training in the advanced analytical, methodological, and theoretical approaches used in political science. The curriculum prepares students for work in public affairs, including employment in all levels of government, legal careers, campaigns, lobbying, private sector government relations, and higher education. The program also prepares students for Ph.D. or legal studies. Internships related to government, politics and the legal system are available.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”). All applicants must submit a statement of personal goals and two letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic training and potential for success in graduate school.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements include those outlined for the master’s degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master’s Degree”). Additional requirements include a total of 32 semester hours, including research methods, a thesis or capstone project, and required courses, and electives. Students completing the Thesis must complete 26 hours in addition to the 6 hour Thesis. Students completing the Capstone Project must complete 29 hours in addition to the 3 hour Capstone Project.

Required Courses

Required courses. Total Credits 6-9

PLS 5053 - Research Methods in Political Science Credits: 3
and
PLS 5950 - Thesis. Credits: 3 to 6
OR
PLS 5940 - Political Science Capstone Project Credits: 3

Proseminars

Complete two of the following. Total Credits 6

PLS 5373 - Proseminar on American Politics Credits: 3
PLS 5023 - Proseminar in International Politics. Credits: 3
PLS 5433 - Proseminar in Comparative Politics. Credits: 3

Political Science Electives

Choose two courses from the following list. Total Credits 6

PLS 4763 - Environmental Politics and Policy Credits: 3
PLS 4774 - American Constitutional Law. Credits: 3
PLS 4853 - The Supreme Court Credits: 3
PLS 5073 - Seminar in Political Behavior. Credits: 3
PLS 5173 - Congress and the Presidency Credits: 3
PLS 4933 - Ideologies of the Developing World. Credits: 3
PLS 5033 - Comparative Institutional Analysis. Credits: 3
PLS 5533 - Seminar in Political Modernization. Credits: 3
PLS 4903 - Classic Political Theory. Credits: 3
PLS 4913 - Contemporary Political Theory. Credits: 3
PLS 4923 - African American Political Thought Credits: 3
PLS 4943 - American Political Thought Credits: 3
PLS 5153 - Cities and Urban Policy in the U.S. Federal System Credits: 3
PLS 5163 - State Governments and Policy in the U.S. Federal System Credits: 3
PLS 4823 - International Policy Issues. Credits: 3
PLS 5900 - Special Topics in Political Science, Public Administration and Public Policy Credits: 1-3

Public Administration and Public Policy Electives

Choose two courses from the following list. Total Credits 6

PLS 5843 - Proseminar in Public Policy Research and Analysis Credits: 3
PLS 5543 - Proseminar in Public Administration Credits: 3
PLS 4763 - Environmental Politics and Policy Credits: 3
PLS 4793 - Civic and Nonprofit Leadership Credits: 3
PLS 4873 - Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3
PLS 4893 - Budgeting in Government and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3
PLS 5153 - Cities and Urban Policy in the U.S. Federal System Credits: 3
PLS 5163 - State Governments and Policy in the U.S. Federal System Credits: 3
PLS 4823 - International Policy Issues. Credits: 3
PLS 5900 - Special Topics in Political Science, Public Administration and Public Policy Credits: 1-3
PLS 4763, 4823; 5153; and 5163 may satisfy either elective category, but will not double-count. PLS 5900 will count in the elective category appropriate to course content, but will not double count in both categories.

Additional Coursework

Students must take additional 5-12 hours of graduate-level courses from the all of the electives listed above, or the courses below.

Students completing a Thesis may count no more than 3 hours from the following courses, and students completing the Capstone Project may count no more than 6 hours from the following courses.

PLS 5980 - Administrative Internship. Credits: 1 to 6
PLS 5990 - Independent Study. Credits: 1 to 6
PLS 5997 - Study Abroad. Credits: 3 to 6

Graduate Assistantships

Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Department of Political Science, 2135 Coleman Hall, EIU.

Accelerated Graduate Program

Admission to the accelerated MA in Political Science requires that a student have completed a minimum of 60 hours of undergraduate course credit and have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25. In addition, applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 hours of Political Science (PLS) courses, including at least 6 hours at the 3000 level.

To apply for the accelerated MA in Political Science, applicants meeting the above requirements must submit two letters of reference and a professional goals statement to the Graduate Coordinator and must also complete the Graduate School’s Accelerated Program Application.

Shared Coursework

Students may select three of the following courses with no more than one course at the 5000 level.

PLS 4774 - American Constitutional Law. Credits: 3
PLS 4763 - Environmental Politics and Policy Credits: 3
PLS 4793 - Civic and Nonprofit Leadership Credits: 3
PLS 4823 - International Policy Issues. Credits: 3
PLS 4853 - The Supreme Court Credits: 3
PLS 4873 - Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3
PLS 4893 - Budgeting in Government and Nonprofit Organizations Credits: 3
PLS 4903 - Classic Political Theory. Credits: 3
PLS 4913 - Contemporary Political Theory. Credits: 3
PLS 4923 - African American Political Thought Credits: 3
PLS 4933 - Ideologies of the Developing World. Credits: 3
PLS 4943 - American Political Thought Credits: 3
PLS 5023 - Proseminar in International Politics. Credits: 3
PLS 5033 - Comparative Institutional Analysis. Credits: 3
PLS 5073 - Seminar in Political Behavior. Credits: 3
PLS 5173 - Congress and the Presidency Credits: 3
PLS 5373 - Proseminar on American Politics Credits: 3
PLS 5433 - Proseminar in Comparative Politics. Credits: 3
PLS 5533 - Seminar in Political Modernization. Credits: 3

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