Program: Political Science (M.A.) - University of South Dakota

Apr 07, 2025

2015-2016 Graduate catalog

Admissions Information

Master of Arts, Political Science Plan A (thesis): Total 33 credit hours

POLS 765 - RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE 3 cr hrs
POLS XXX Electives 6 cr hrs (no more than 6 cr hrs of Independent Study and no more than 3 cr hrs of Internship)
Electives 6 cr hrs (no more than 6 cr hrs of electives can be from outside POLS)
POLS 798 - THESIS 2 to 6 cr hrs (6 credit hours required)
Select one Specialization from below: American Political Institutions and Public Policy or International Relations for 12 cr hrs

Master of Arts, Political Science Plan B (non-thesis): Total 33 credit hours

POLS 765 - RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE 3 cr hrs
POLS XXX Electives 6 cr hrs (no more than 6 cr hrs of Independent Study and no more than 3 cr hrs of Internship)
Electives 9 cr hrs (no more than 9 cr hrs of electives can be from outside POLS)
POLS 787 - EXAM PREPARATION 3 cr hrs
Select one Specialization from below: American Political Institutions and Public Policy or International Relations for 12 cr hrs

Specialization: American Political Institutions and Public Policy (12 cr hrs)

POLS 711 - SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS 3 to 6 cr hrs (3 credit hours required)
POLS 771 - PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS AND EVALUATION 3 cr hrs
Select 6 credit hours from the following:
POLS 529 - COURTS AND JUDICIAL POLITICS [online] 3 cr hrs
POLS 532 - THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY (C) 3 cr hrs
POLS 535 - POLITICAL PARTIES AND CAMPAIGNS (C) 3 cr hrs
POLS 553 - AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (C) 3 cr hrs
POLS 708 - THEORIES OF THE U.S. CONGRESS 3 cr hrs
POLS 709 - THEORIES OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY 3 cr hrs
POLS 712 - AMERICAN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT 3 cr hrs
POLS 756 - NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY 3 cr hrs
POLS 766 - ANALYTIC TECHNIQUES IN PUBLIC POLICY 3 cr hrs
POLS 772 - U.S. BUREAUCRACY 3 cr hrs

Specialization: International Relations (12 cr hrs)

POLS 751 - SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3 to 6 cr hrs
POLS 759 - READINGS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3 cr hrs
Select 6 credit hours from the following:
POLS 546 - POLITICS OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN 3 cr hrs
POLS 547 - LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS (C) 3 cr hrs
POLS 549 - MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS 3 cr hrs
POLS 553 - AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (C) 3 cr hrs
POLS 554 - INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS (C) 3 cr hrs
POLS 555 - INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS 3 cr hrs
POLS 556 - INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY 3 cr hrs
POLS 557 - GLOBALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT 3 cr hrs
POLS 558 - DEMOCRACY AND AUTHORITARIANISM 3 cr hrs
POLS 756 - NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY 3 cr hrs

Concurrent M.A. Program with Juris Doctor, Ph.D. and Ed.D.

A student can concurrently pursue a Master of Arts in Political Science and a Juris Doctor, counting a maximum of nine credit hours in certain law courses toward the Master’s degree and nine hours in certain Political Science courses counting toward the Juris Doctor requirements. The Joint Degree program is open to Plan A and Plan B students in the M.A. program. Additional information available from the respective Program Directors upon request.