Political Science (M.A.)

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

POLS 765 - RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE 3 cr
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 (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
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
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 (3 credit hours required)
POLS 771 - PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS AND EVALUATION 3 cr
Select 6 credit hours from the following:
POLS 529 - COURTS AND JUDICIAL POLITICS 3 cr
POLS 530 - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (C) 3 cr
POLS 532 - THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY (C) 3 cr
POLS 534 - INTEREST GROUP POLITICS 3 cr
POLS 535 - POLITICAL PARTIES AND CAMPAIGNS (C) 3 cr
POLS 542 - NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY 3 cr
POLS 553 - AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (C) 3 cr
POLS 567 - ANALYTIC TECHNIQUES IN PUBLIC POLICY 3 cr
POLS 708 - THEORIES OF THE U.S. CONGRESS 3 cr
POLS 709 - THEORIES OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY 3 cr
POLS 712 - AMERICAN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT 3 cr
POLS 772 - U.S. BUREAUCRACY 3 cr

Specialization: International Relations (12 cr hrs)

POLS 751 - SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3 to 6 cr
POLS 759 - READINGS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY 3 cr
Select 6 credit hours from the following:
POLS 541 - GENOCIDE IN THE MODERN ERA 3 cr
POLS 542 - NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY 3 cr
POLS 546 - POLITICS OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN 3 cr
POLS 547 - LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS (C) 3 cr
POLS 549 - MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS 3 cr
POLS 551 - ADVANCED PROBLEMS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (C) 3 cr
POLS 552 - GLOBALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT 3 cr
POLS 553 - AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (C) 3 cr
POLS 554 - INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS (C) 3 cr
POLS 555 - INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS 3 cr
POLS 556 - INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY 3 cr
POLS 558 - DEMOCRACY AND AUTHORITARIANISM 3 cr

Concurrent M.A. Program with Juris Doctor

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.