2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Political Science Department
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 Return to: Departments & Programs
Interim Department Chairperson: Eric Jepsen, Ph.D.
Coordinator of M.P.A. Program: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Coordinator of M.S. Program: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Coordinator of E.M.P.A. Program: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Coordinator of Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate Program: Richard Braunstein, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Leadership in Public Management and Techniques in Public Policy Graduate Certificate Programs: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Coordinator of Graduate Studies: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Department of Political Science
Dakota Hall, Room 109
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: 605-658-6755
polsci@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/polsci
FACULTY
Professors:
Richard Braunstein, Ph.D., University of Colorado-Boulder. Specialization: American Institutions, 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; Constitutional Governance.
Eric Jepsen, Ph.D., University of New Mexico. Specialization: Comparative Politics; Political Economy; Democratization; Latin American Politics; South Asian Politics.
Associate Professors:
Ed Gerrish, Ph.D., University of Indiana. Specialization: Public Financial Management, Policy Analysis, Public Performance Management, Meta-analysis.
Julia Marin Hellwege, Ph.D., University of New Mexico. Specialization: American Political Institutions (Congress, Presidency), Women & Politics, Politics of Inequality.
Cassandra McKeown, J.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Juvenile Justice, Ethics in Criminal Justice, Writing and Research in Criminal Justice, Mock Trial, Criminal Prosecution and Defense.
Thomas Mrozla, Ph.D., North Dakota State University. Specialization: Police Accountability; Rural Policing.
Timothy J. Schorn, J.D., LL.M., Ph.D., University of Notre Dame. Specialization: Human Rights, Law of War, Middle Eastern Politics; Genocide.
Assistant Professors:
Jenna L. Borseth, Ph.D., North Dakota State University. Specialization: Effective Correctional Interventions, Community-Based Corrections, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices.
April Carrillo, Ph.D., Old Dominion University. Specializations: Queer Criminology, Trans Issues in Criminal Justice, Qualitative Methodology.
Alexander Roberts, Ph.D., Ohio State University.
Senior Lecturer:
Joshua Houy, J.D., Ph.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Justice Policy.
Emeritus Professors:
Michael A. Card, Ph.D., The Ohio State University. Specialization: Organizational Theory and Strategic Management, State Government, Evaluation and Leadership.
Donald Dahlin, Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University. Specialization: Political Science and Government, American Politics
Steve Feimer, D.P.A., University of Oklahoma. Specialization: Environmental Law, Research Methods, Policing Administration, Criminal Profiling
William Richardson, 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, Justice and Compassion.
Elizabeth T. Smith, Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Specialization: American Politics, Public Law, and Public Administration.
DEGREE
CERTIFICATE
Department of Political Science
The Department of Political Science offers the Master of Public Administration degree, the Executive Master of Public Administration degree, and the Master of Science degree in Administration. 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 in Administration and Executive M.P.A. programs also provide a core program in administration but are designed for professionals already working in public and nonprofit organizations. The graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management is designed to give those interested in nonprofit management an opportunity to further develop their skills in nonprofit governance and administration. The Leadership in Public Management certificate allows managers to hone their leadership abilities. The Techniques for Public Policy certificate program provides a toolkit of common evaluative, analytical, and statistical techniques used in the field of public policy.
Click on any of the following programs for information:
Master of Public Administration
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Program Coordinator: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Program Description
The mission of the Master of Public Administration degree program at the University of South Dakota is to prepare 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. The program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).The MPA program offers two specializations: the traditional MPA for students who prefer the on-campus experience, and the executive public administration for experienced professionals who prefer the convenience of online courses.
WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) eligible program.
**Executive Master of Public Administration (E.M.P.A.) is not currently accepting applications. Students should see the Executive Public Adminstration specialization in the Public Administration-Executive Public Administration (M.P.A.) program.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/grad/how-to-apply and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
- Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation). Transcripts must be complete (e.g., if currently enrolled, work-in-progress coursework must be included, foreign transcripts must include a grading scale, and for countries that issue, copy of degree certificate/diploma i.e., India, Nepal, etc.). The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
- The baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with institutional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree, and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. The graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
- Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained a high school diploma, undergraduate, or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the approved list of English-speaking countries are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants with degrees from other countries, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, 53 on the PTE, or 110 on Duolingo is required for graduate admission.
- Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose or goal statement explaining their choice to pursue graduate education in public administration and a career in public service.
Additional Program Admission Requirements:
- Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
- A current resume.
- Applicants to the Executive specialization must document a minimum of five years of cumulative full-time professional experience, including three years at the middle-to-upper level.
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 and approval from the Dean of the Graduate School. 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.
Prospective students who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship should submit their admission application as well as a separate application for a graduate assistantship. The process of graduate assistantship assignments will start on February 15th and continue until all positions are assigned. However, applications for program admission will receive consideration until three weeks before the start of the semester.
Application Deadline
- Fall 2024 Start
- Priority Deadline: February 15
- Final Deadline: Three weeks before the start of the semester
- Spring 2025 Start
- Three weeks before the start of the semester
- Summer 2025 Start
- Four weeks before the start of the semester
- Fall 2025 Start
- Priority Deadline: February 15
- Final Deadline: Four weeks before the start of the semester
- Spring and Summer 2026 Starts
- Four weeks before the start of the semester
M.P.A. Fast Track Option
The M.P.A. Fast Track option allows a USD undergraduate Political Science, Criminal Justice, International Studies, or Legal Studies major to take up to twelve hours of core courses in the Master of Public Administration program during his or her senior year, that is, after the completion of at least 90 credits of undergraduate coursework. Students in Political Science, Criminal Justice, International Studies, or Legal Studies degree programs who are interested in public service careers may apply to the fast-track of the Master of Public Administration program by submitting an application to the USD Graduate School. If admitted, students may take up to four M.P.A. courses and receive full credit for the M.P.A. graduate courses they took as seniors. The twelve (12) 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 percent of graduate-only coursework (courses numbered 700 and above).
Executive Master of Public Administration
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Program Coordinator: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Program Description
The Executive Master of Public Administration program is offered online for working public service professionals who seek to advance their understanding of administration in public and nonprofit organizations. It is taught by the same faculty who teach on campus. It provides you with a strong theoretical background, as well as learning-by-doing courses that build upon your professional practice. Upon completion, you will be ready 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 changing workforce and citizenry. Learn more at usd.edu/onlineempa.
WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) eligible program.
**Executive Master of Public Administration (E.M.P.A.) is not currently accepting applications. Students should see the Executive Public Adminstration specialization in the Public Administration-Executive Public Administration (M.P.A.) program.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/grad/how-to-apply and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
- Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation). Transcripts must be complete (e.g., if currently enrolled, work-in-progress coursework must be included, foreign transcripts must include a grading scale, and for countries that issue, copy of degree certificate/diploma i.e., India, Nepal, etc.). The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
- The baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with institutional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. The graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
- Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained a high school diploma, undergraduate, or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the approved list of English-speaking countries are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants with degrees from other countries, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, 53 on the PTE, or 110 on Duolingo is required for graduate admission.
- Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose explaining the choice to pursue graduate education through the program.
Additional Program Admission Requirements:
- Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
- A current resume documenting a minimum of five years of cumulative full-time professional experience, including three years at the middle-to-upper level
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.
Application Deadline
Master of Science in Administration
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SPECIALIZATION
Addiction Studies
Criminal Justice Studies
Health Services Administration
Human Resource Management
Interdisciplinary Studies
Nonprofit Management
Organizational Leadership
Program Coordinator: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Program Description
This cross-disciplinary program provides the primary tools and organizational skills necessary to perform effectively 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 administrators. The program benefits early- and 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.
WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) eligible program.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/grad/how-to-apply and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
- Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation). Transcripts must be complete (e.g., if currently enrolled, work-in-progress coursework must be included, foreign transcripts must include a grading scale, and for countries that issue, copy of degree certificate/diploma i.e., India, Nepal, etc.). The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
- The baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with institutional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on the conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. The graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
- Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained a high school diploma, undergraduate, or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the approved list of English-speaking countries are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants with degrees from other countries, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, 53 on the PTE, or 110 on Duolingo is required for graduate admission.
- Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose explaining the choice to pursue graduate education through the program.
Additional Program Admission Requirements:
- Two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
- A current resume documenting a minimum of two (2) years of full-time professional experience* OR currently employed in full-time professional work setting with the intent to maintain that placement for the duration of the program.
*Professional experience is the experience that occurs through full-time employment and requires some form of advanced vocational, technical, or higher education training, whether at associate, bachelor’s, or master’s level. The professional experience requirement exists to ensure that early- and mid-career students interact with other students who are situated in a professional work environment.
Applicants who do not meet all of the qualifications for full admission may, in some circumstances, be granted provisional admission to the program. These applicants 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.
Application Deadline
Graduate Certificates
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Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate Program Coordinator: Richard Braunstein, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science
Leadership in Public Management and Techniques for Public Policy Graduate Certificates Program Coordinator: Ilmira P. Dulyanova, M.A., M.A.
Program Descriptions
The Nonprofit Management graduate certificate is offered as a twelve-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.
Leadership in public management is an important set of skills and theories from a rich history of academic work. The skills, however, are applicable especially for public and nonprofit sector employees who, after a few years of experience, find themselves managing others. The Leadership in Public Management graduate certificate will allow managers to hone their leadership abilities.
The Techniques for Public Policy graduate certificate program will provide graduates with a toolkit of common evaluative, analytical, and statistical techniques used in the field of public policy. It is intended for public and nonprofit sector employees who regularly need to evaluate programs, work with budgets, or need additional skills in examining and understanding the trends in data that drive their programs.
WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) eligible program.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (graduate certificates)
- Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/grad/how-to-apply and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
- Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation). Transcripts must be complete (e.g., if currently enrolled, work-in-progress coursework must be included, foreign transcripts must include a grading scale, and for countries that issue, copy of degree certificate/diploma i.e., India, Nepal, etc.). The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
- The baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with institutional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. The graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
- Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained a high school diploma, undergraduate, or graduate degree from an institutionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the approved list of English-speaking countries are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants with degrees from other countries, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, 53 on the PTE, or 110 on Duolingo is required for graduate admission.
- Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose or goal statement.
Subject to faculty approval, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.
Application Deadline
Student Learning Outcomes for Executive Master of Public Administration (E.M.P.A.)
Graduates of the EMPA program will be able to:
- develop a leadership strategy appropriate to an organization’s mission and vision.
- solve administrative problems in ways that are consistent with the public interest.
- develop appropriate budget skills to implement organizational changes.
- apply best practices in addressing key personnel issues arising in the public sector.
- identify and develop key organizational designs appropriate for an organization’s dynamic external environment.
- critically assess and utilize various decision-making tools and strategies used within public and non-profit organizations.
- understand key constitutional, legal, and ethical principles and be able to apply them in contemporary public and non-profit organizations.
- develop an appropriate assessment methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of a proposed plan of action.
- communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies.
- understand the intellectual heritage of the field and draw upon this heritage to solve public problems in a manner consistent with the public interest.
Student Learning Outcomes for Public Administration (M.P.A.)
Graduates of the MPA program will:
- develop a communication and leadership strategy appropriate for interacting productively with a diverse array of stakeholders.
- demonstrate the ability to propose a plan of action that is consistent with the public interest.
- produce a professional and transparent budget that reflects the needs and preferences of an organization and its stakeholders.
- identify the key personnel issues relevant to a particular case or scenario, and utilize best practices in addressing those issues from a public service perspective.
- identify key organizational design issues relevant to a particular case or scenario, and utilize best practices in addressing those issues from a public service perspective.
- critically assess and synthesize the various decision-making tools and strategies utilized by public and non-profit organizations.
- adequately consider the constitutional and legal implications for an organization and its stakeholders in the context of a particular case or scenario.
- develop an appropriate assessment methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of a proposed plan of action.
- adequately consider the ethical implications for an organization and its stakeholders in the context of a particular case or scenario.
- demonstrate an understanding of the relevant policy process in the context of a particular case or scenario.
Student Learning Outcomes for Administration (M.S.)
Graduates of the MSA program will demonstrate the ability to:
- develop a communication and leadership strategy appropriate for interacting productively with a diverse array of stakeholders.
- develop a proposal to solve an administrative problem that is consistent with the public interest.
- apply best practices in budgeting and financial management to organizations.
- assess critically and synthesize the various decision-making tools and strategies utilized by public and nonprofit organizations.
- consider adequately and apply key constitutional and legal issues for an organization and its relevant stakeholders.
- develop an appropriate assessment methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of a proposed plan of action.
- consider adequately key ethical issues for an organization and its stakeholders.
Programs
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