Mar 29, 2024  
2011-2013 EIU Graduate Catalog 
    
2011-2013 EIU Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science


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Program Mission: The program provides a flexible curriculum for students interested in American government, comparative politics, international relations, public administration and public policy. 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 local, state and national government. Other graduates from the program have found employment in journalism, international business, community college teaching and administrative positions in higher education. The program also prepares students for future 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”).  In addition, applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Applicants whose GPA falls below 3.00 should submit a GRE score. Preference will be given to applicants with a score of 1000 or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections. All applicants must submit a statement of personal goals and two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic training and potential for success in graduate school to the department’s coordinator of graduate studies.

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 31 semester hours with the thesis, or 33 semester hours with the comprehensive examination option, and a GPA of 3.00. All students will complete 12 hours of course work for a major concentration and six hours for a minor concentration. Students are required to take core courses in their major field.

  • PLS 5001 and PLS 5053 are required of all graduate students

Students Majoring in American Government and Politics Must Take Two of the Following Courses:


Students Majoring in Comparative Politics/International Relations Must Take Both:


Students Majoring in Public Administration/Public Policy Must Take:


Concentrations Available


Hours earned in independent study (5990), thesis (5950), internship (5980) and special courses (4980-4999) will not count toward completion of major and minor requirements. Consult with the graduate coordinator in advance to determine which concentration requirements will be met by PLS 5843. There will be no substitutions for any of the major and minor area courses. In addition, a course used to meet the requirements of one area cannot be counted for another area.

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.

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