UWM offers one of the most rigorous political science MA programs in the country. The program trains applied social scientists for careers that demand deep understanding of politics and the ability to conduct independent research. Students in the MA program learn to critically evaluate and apply leading theories in the scientific study of politics. Our courses on research methodology teach students to develop cutting-edge research designs that can be used to answer key questions in the social sciences. Students in the MA program gain broad exposure to the primary subfields of political science (comparative politics, American politics, international relations, and political theory), while also having the opportunity to focus on an area of interest. Our MA program is distinguished by four factors:
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A low student to faculty ratio (most graduate seminars have fewer than 10 students) allows for close collaboration with faculty.
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Methodological rigor with practical applications. Our MA students receive rigorous training in the latest quantitative methodologies and data science techniques.
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Broad exposure to different analytic approaches and intellectual traditions within the discipline of political science.
The MA program prepares students for success in fields that require advanced research, writing, and communication skills. Many of our students use the MA as a springboard into top PhD programs. Others leverage the MA for careers in government service, politics, NGOs, or business. The program also offers opportunities for mid-career professionals—in education, politics, government service—to expand their training and qualifications. The department accommodates the master’s student who attends part-time by scheduling sufficient graduate-level courses in the late afternoons and evenings to enable the student to earn a master’s degree through part-time attendance.
Students in the program may choose to pursue a general Master’s Degree or to concentrate in one of our specialized tracks: Political Data Analysis or International Affairs.
Political Science, MA: Political Data Analysis
Students who specialize in the data analysis track focus on developing skills related to research design and the quantitative analysis of political data.
In addition to providing a strong foundation for progressing to a PhD program, the data analysis specialization prepares students for both public and private sector jobs, including employment in state, local, and national governments, non-profit organizations, research firms, think tanks, political parties and organizations, and corporations. In consultation with their advisor, students in this track develop a course of study that includes the program’s required methodological courses, as well as more advanced data science courses.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- Undergraduate major or substantial work in the field of political science.
- Undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale).
- Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with applicant’s scholastic ability and achievements.
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Personal statement of research interests and how UWM’s Political Science Department will help you meet your career and educational goals.
Submission of GRE scores (official or unofficial) is encouraged, but not required.
Credits and Courses
Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits, all of which must be taken at the 700 level or above.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses on scope and method of political inquiry | ||
| POL SCI 700 | Scope and Methods of Political Science | 3 |
| POL SCI 701 | Techniques of Political Science Research | 3 |
| POL SCI 702 | Advanced Techniques of Political Science Research | 3 |
| Other POL SCI courses | 15 | |
| Up to 6 credits in related field | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
A student must enroll for at least 3 credit hours of POL SCI 990 for final preparation of the Master's Paper.
Political Data Analysis Concentration
The Political Data Analysis concentration requires a minimum of 15 credit hours (5 courses) in social science data analysis. These courses count toward the 30 total graduate credits required for the MA degree.
Six required credits are drawn from the two required data analysis courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Data Analysis Courses | ||
| POL SCI 701 | Techniques of Political Science Research | 3 |
| POL SCI 702 | Advanced Techniques of Political Science Research | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Students must also take nine credits using a combination of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 credits | 9 | |
| Theoretical and Methodological Issues of Comparative Politics | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Political Science Methodology | ||
Up to six credits of approved methodology courses outside the department | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Students in this concentration hone and apply their methodological skills in substantive seminars that expose students to the latest quantitative research on politics. Students are expected to complete a Master’s Thesis that relies on quantitative analysis of political data.
Additional Requirements
Major Professor as Advisor
The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student’s studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. The incoming student is advised by the Director of Graduate Studies; as the student develops specialized interests within the discipline, the student selects a major professor from within that area of specialization.
Master’s Paper
A formal thesis is not required. However, each student shall prepare and defend orally a paper that demonstrates conceptual ability and research competence in some recognized area (sub-field) of political science. It is expected that the master’s paper will be prepared in a scholarly fashion, normally conforming to the format characteristic of journal articles published in the chosen area of study. A statement setting forth additional guidelines and criteria of evaluation will be made available.
For full-time students it is expected that the master’s paper will be defended prior to the completion of four semesters (two years) of graduate work. Consequently, the Department encourages students to choose paper topics for graduate seminars that may serve as the basis for the master’s paper. Postponement of the oral defense of the master’s paper beyond four semesters requires the approval of the Graduate Committee.
Comprehensive Examination
An oral defense of the master’s paper is required. Master’s papers will be defended before a three-person committee composed of one of the student’s advisors and two other faculty members selected by the chair of the Department in consultation with the student and the advisor.
The committee will be selected at least one full semester prior to anticipated submission of the master’s paper. The student must obtain committee approval of the research topic and methodology immediately following the selection of the committee.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.
Political Science MA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Political Science MA program will be able to:
- Critically evaluate leading theories in the scientific study of politics (including in the areas of political behavior, government institutions, and international relations).
- Develop original, logically coherent arguments to explain political phenomena.
- Craft cutting-edge research designs that are capable of answering key questions in the social sciences.
- Master and apply the latest quantitative (statistical) methodologies to evaluate a research question.
- Make effective oral arguments in defense of one’s research.
- Compose clear and coherent written texts that describe a research problem, postulate an argument, and examine that argument with evidence.