Political Science Department

Department Chairperson: William Richardson, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies: Elizabeth Smith, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Ph.D. Program: Chad Newswander, Ph.D.
Coordinator of M.P.A. Program: Matthew Fairholm, Ph.D.
Coordinator of M.S. Program: Elizabeth Smith, Ph.D.
Coordinator of M.A. (API) Program: Elizabeth Smith, Ph.D.
Coordinator of M.A. (IR) Program: Tim Schorn, Ph.D., J.D.
Coordinator of E.M.P.A. Program: Elizabeth Smith, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate Program: Richard Braunstein, Ph.D.
Administrative Coordinator of Graduate Programs: Ilmira Dulyanova

Department of Political Science
Dakota Hall, Room 109
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: (605) 677-6405
polsci@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/polsci 

FACULTY

Professors:

Richard Braunstein, Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder. Specialization: American Politics, Ballot Issue Elections, Civil Rights and Liberties, Nonprofit Organizations, and Conflict Resolution and American Indian Studies.
Matthew R. Fairholm, Ph.D., George Washington University. Specialization: Public Administration, Leadership Theory and Practice, and Constitutional Governance.
Matthew C. Moen, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma. Specialization: American Politics, Congress, and State Legislatures.
William D. Richardson, Chair, Ph.D., University of New York-Buffalo. Specialization: Political Philosophy, American Politics, Leadership, and Ethics.
Michael P. Roche, S.J.D., University of Virginia. Specialization: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Justice and Compassion.

Associate Professors:

Michael A. Card, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School, Ph.D., Ohio State University. Specialization: Organizational Theory and Strategic Management, Leadership, Evaluation, and State Government.
Steven Feimer, D.P.A., University of Oklahoma. Specialization: Public Administration, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Law.
Eric Jepsen, Ph.D., University of New Mexico. Specialization: Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Economy, Democratization, Globalization, Latin American Politics, and South Asian Politics.
Cassandra McKeown, J.D. University of South Dakota. Specialization: Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, Negotiation and Client Counseling.
Shane Nordyke, Ph.D., Indiana University. Specialization: Public Policy, Policy Analysis, Research Methods, American Presidency, and Intergovernmental Relations.
Timothy J. Schorn, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame. J. D. Notre Dame Law School. Specialization: International Relations, Human Rights, Terrorism, and Middle East Politics.
Elizabeth T. Smith, Director of Graduate Studies, Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Specialization: American Politics, Public Law, and Public Administration.

Assistant Professor:

Chad B. Newswander, Ph.D., Virginia Tech. Specialization: Public Administration, Power and Politics, Administrative Statesmanship, Administrative Ethics, and Constitutional Governance.

Lecturers:

Jacqueline Faulhaber, D.S.L. Regent University. Specialization: Public Leadership, Virtue and Justice in Leadership, and Biblical Leadership.
Lynita Newswander, Ph.D. Virginia Tech. Specialization: Planning Governance and Globalization.  

DEGREE

Master of Arts in Political Science, Plan A and B  
Master of Public Administration, Plan B only  
Executive Master of Public Administration  
Master of Science in Administration, Plan B only  
Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science  

CERTIFICATE

Nonprofit Management

Department of Political Science

The Department of Political Science offers the Master of Arts degree, Master of Science degree, the Master of Public Administration degree, the Executive Master of Public Administration degree, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The M.A. program gives students in Political Science the opportunity to undertake a more advanced study of the field. The M.P.A. provides both a core program in administration and the opportunity to study important policy-making and administrative areas. The M.S. and E.M.P.A. programs also provide a core program in administration, but are designed for mid and upper level professionals already working in public and nonprofit organizations. The doctoral program is designed to strengthen the knowledge and research competencies of students so they can advance understanding and explanation in the fields of American political institutions and public administration.

Click on any of the following programs for information:

• Master of Arts in Political Science, Plan A and Plan B
• Master of Public Administration, Plan B only
• Executive Master of Public Administration
• Master of Science in Administration, Plan B only
• Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science
• Nonprofit Management Certificate

SPECIALIZATION

American Political Institutions and Public Policy
International Relations

American Political Institutions and Public Policy Program Coordinator:  Elizabeth Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science

International Relations Program Coordinator:  Timothy Schorn, Ph.D., J.D., Associate Professor of Political Science

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Political Science is designed for students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of a specific area within Political Science. Through coursework within Political Science and research opportunities recipients of the degree will be prepared for diverse careers or further study. The goal of the program is to advance understanding and explanation in the fields of American political institutions and public policy, and international relations. The delivery of the program is designed to accommodate traditional students who make graduate study their primary professional focus, as well as non-traditional students maintaining full-time employment. Students in the program can complete courses that utilize a variety of delivery methods, including face-to-face courses on campus, online courses, and hybrid courses that adopt a blended face-to-face and distance delivery method to ensure the greatest possible flexibility and student/faculty collaboration.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the MA program are required to demonstrate their likelihood of success and productivity to the department. The department will consider the following when making admission decisions:

• Undergraduate record and grade point average (GPA)
• Performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Prior graduate education (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Statement of purpose explaining the applicant’s choice to pursue graduate education in Political Science
• Any relevant professional experience and/or public service (applicants should submit a current curriculum vita or resume)

Prospective students who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship should also submit a separate application for a graduate assistantship by February 15^th. However, applications for program admission will receive consideration until July 15^th. Competitive candidates for the M.A. program will have an undergraduate GPA of greater than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If prior graduate work was completed, competitive M.A. candidates will have a graduate GPA of greater than 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Expected GRE scores are greater than 153 (500 prior scale) on the verbal section and greater than 144 (500 prior scale) on the quantitative sections of the test.

Joint Juris Doctor/M.A. in Political Science

Students pursuing a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree through USD’s School of Law can simultaneously pursue the M.A. in Political Science through the joint J.D./M.A. program. Nine credit hours of approved law courses are accepted toward the master’s degree, and nine hours in approved MA courses are accepted toward the Juris Doctor requirements. Students must consult with the M.A. Program Coordinator in selecting coursework for their plan of study, based on the student’s professional and academic goals.

Program Coordinator:  Matthew Fairholm, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science

Program Description

The mission of the Master of Public Administration degree program at the University of South Dakota is to prepare students to be leaders who are committed to serving the public interest with personal integrity, professional competence, constitutional principles, and respect for human dignity. Since September 1974, the Department of Political Science has offered the Master of Public Administration degree that provides both a core program in administration and the opportunity to study in important policy making and administrative areas. In the fall of 1997, the Regents established the W.O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership as a center of excellence. The Center is housed within the Department of Political Science and offers graduate civic leadership courses. The mission of the Center is to prepare students and help communities to face difficult public problems in a shared manner consistent with constitutional values. The Center’s Government Research Bureau (GRB) provides applied research opportunities for graduate students. The program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the program are required to demonstrate their likelihood of success as graduate students in the program, as well as a commitment to public service. The program will consider the following when making admission decisions:

• Undergraduate record and grade point average (GPA)
• Performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores
• Prior graduate education (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Statement of purpose explaining the choice to pursue graduate education in public administration, and a career in public service

Competitive candidates for the program will have an undergraduate GPA of greater than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The department also expects competitive applicants to the program to have GRE scores greater than 151 on the verbal section and greater than 144 on the quantitative sections of the test. The program will also accept LSAT scores of 150 or greater, and GMAT scores of 570 or greater. Prospective students who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship should also submit a separate application for a graduate assistantship by February 15^th. However, applications for program admission will receive consideration until July 15^th. Students who do not meet all of the qualifications for full admission may, in some circumstances, be granted provisional admission to the program upon approval of the M.P.A. Committee. These students may be admitted provisionally and must meet specific provisions in order to achieve full admission. Failure to complete specified provisions will result in the student’s dismissal from the program.

M.P.A. Fast Track Option

The M.P.A. Fast Track option allows a USD undergraduate Political Science major to take up to 9 hours of core courses in the Master of Public Administration program during senior year, that is, after the completion of at least 90 credits of undergraduate coursework. Students must be nominated by a Political Science or Criminal Justice faculty member and apply to the Graduate School. If accepted by the M.P.A. Fast Track Program, students may take up to three core M.P.A. courses and receive full credit for the M.P.A. core graduate courses they took as seniors. The 9 graduate M.P.A. credits may also be transferred to the undergraduate degree program to contribute to the 120 hours of coursework required for the undergraduate degree.

Upon completion of the 120 hours and upon meeting all requirements for the baccalaureate degree, the student receives the undergraduate degree and then continues to pursue coursework to complete the M.P.A. degree. Students must complete the M.P.A. with at least 50% of graduate-only coursework (courses numbered 700 and above).

Program Coordinator: Elizabeth Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science

The Executive Master of Public Administration program is designed for seasoned public service professionals who seek to advance their understanding of administration in public and nonprofit organizations. To that end, students build the essential skills needed to provide effective leadership, communication, innovation, and change management in the public and nonprofit organizations of the twenty-first century. Graduates of the program are prepared to lead and manage organizations; participate in the policy process; analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions; articulate and apply a public service perspective; and communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the program are required to demonstrate their likelihood of success as graduate students in the program. The program will consider the following when making admission decisions:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience (documented through a current resume)
• Prior graduate education (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Statement of purpose explaining the choice to pursue graduate education through the program and a public service career

Applicants for the program must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework. The department expects applicants to have at least five years of cumulative professional experience, including at least three years at the middle-to-upper level (documented through submission of a current resume and described in their statement of purpose). Generally, students will be fully admitted if they have a strong academic record; meet the minimum expectations for professional experience; demonstrate strong communication skills and a good match of their academic and professional goals with the mission of the program; receive favorable recommendations; and meet all other minimum conditions for acceptance into the Graduate School. 

Students who do not meet all of the qualifications for full admission may, in some circumstances, be granted provisional admission to the program. These students may be admitted with specific provisions to meet in order to be granted full admission. Failure to complete specified provisions will result in the student’s dismissal from the program.

SPECIALIZATION

Alcohol and Drug Studies
Criminal Justice Studies
Health Services Administration
Human Resource Management
Interdisciplinary Studies
Long Term Care Administration
Organizational Leadership 

Program Coordinator: Elizabeth Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science

Program Description

This cross-disciplinary program provides the primary tools and organizational skills necessary to effectively perform administrative roles in public service oriented organizations. Coursework focuses on the practical application of administrative theory, and the development of an intellectual framework for analyzing and successfully addressing the challenges faced by modern administrators. The program benefits mid-career professionals working in a variety of settings, including government agencies, nonprofit and social service organizations, health care, and education - as well as private sector organizations that provide public services. Graduates of the program are prepared to lead and manage organizations; analyze, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions; adequately consider the ethical and legal implications of their administrative decisions; and communicate effectively with organizational members and stakeholders.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the program are required to demonstrate their likelihood of success as graduate students in the program. The program will consider the following when making admission decisions:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience (documented through a current resume)
• Prior graduate education (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Statement of purpose explaining the choice to pursue graduate education through the program

Applicants for the program must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework. The department expects applicants to have at least 3 years of substantive professional experience (documented through submission of a current resume and described in their statement of purpose). Generally, students will be fully admitted if they have a strong academic record; meet the minimum expectations for professional experience; demonstrate strong communication skills and a good match of their academic and professional goals with the mission of the program; receive favorable recommendations; and meet all other minimum conditions for acceptance into the Graduate School. 

Students who do not meet all of the qualifications for full admission may, in some circumstances, be granted provisional admission to the program. These students may be admitted with specific provisions outlined for them to meet in order to be granted full admission. Failure to complete specified provisions will result in the student’s dismissal from the program. 

EMPHASIS

American Political Institutions
Public Administration

Program Coordinator: Chad Newswander, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science

Program Description

The curriculum of the doctoral program in Political Science is designed to strengthen the knowledge and research competencies of its students. The program’s goal is to advance understanding and explanation in the fields of public administration and American political institutions. This will enhance professional practice in the state and region through the placement of well-trained practitioners and academics. The delivery of the doctoral program is designed to accommodate non-traditional students maintaining full-time employment, as well as traditional students who make doctoral studies their primary professional focus. All of the required core doctoral courses adopt a hybrid delivery method that combines face-to-face and distance components to ensure the greatest possible flexibility and student/faculty collaboration.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the program will be required to demonstrate their likelihood of success and productivity in the program to the department’s Ph.D. Admissions Committee. The Committee will consider the following when making admission decisions:

• Undergraduate record and grade point average (GPA)
• Performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Prior graduate education (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation (3)
• Statement of purpose explaining the choice to pursue doctoral education in Political Science
• Relevant professional experience and/or public service (applicants should submit a current curriculum vita or resume)

Prospective students who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship should also submit a separate application for a graduate assistantship by February 15^th. However, applications for program admission will receive consideration until July 15^th. Competitive candidates for the doctoral program will have an undergraduate GPA of greater than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If prior graduate work was completed, competitive doctoral candidates will have a graduate GPA of greater than 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The department expects competitive applicants to the program to have GRE scores greater than 153 (500 prior scale) on the verbal section and greater than 144 (500 prior scale) on the quantitative section of the test.

Graduate Certificate Coordinator: Rich Braunstein, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science

The Graduate Nonprofit Management Certificate is offered as a 12 credit program. Two courses are required and a number of electives are also offered to complete the student’s program of study. The selection of elective courses will be identified by the student in collaboration with the certificate program coordinator.