Graduate Programs

During the first semester in the program, each student must develop a plan of study in consultation with the Graduate Director. Thereafter, students consult with the Graduate Director who provides technical and procedural advising as well as substantive advice. However, students are also encouraged to discuss their research interests with individual members of the faculty. An orientation session for new and continuing students is provided at the beginning of the academic year. In addition, monthly professional workshops discuss topics of interest to graduate students.

Total Minimum Hours: 36 credit hours
Common Core – 12 credit hours
Major Field or Concentration 9 credit hours
Electives – 9 credit hours minimum
Thesis/Non-Thesis – 6 credit hours

For instructional purposes, the graduate curriculum in Political Science has been divided into four fields:
Field 1 Comparative Politics (courses with a CPO prefix)
Field 2 International Relations (courses with an INR prefix)
Field 3 American Government (Courses with a PUP, POS, or URP prefix)
Field 4 Political Theory (courses with a POT prefix)

Common Core Courses -12 credit hours
POS 6735 Foundations of Political Inquiry (3)

Disciplinary Seminar Requirements - Select two:
POS 6045 Seminar in American Government (3)
POT 6007 Seminar in Political Theory (3)
INR 6007 Seminar in International Relations (3)
CPO 6091 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3)

Required Research Methods Sequence - Select one:
POS 6746 Quantitative Analysis I (3)
POS 6707 Qualitative Analysis (3)

Students may either choose a Major Field of study, or the concentration in Africana Studies.
Major field - 9 credit hours

In addition to the core course in major area, three additional courses in the core area are chosen from American
Government, Political Theory, International Relations, or Comparative Politics.

Concentration in Africana Studies - 9 credit hours
AFA 6932: Topics in Africana Studies (3)
AFA 6120: Social Theory and Social Thought (3)
AFA 6108: Social Construction of Race and Racism (3)

Electives - 9 credit hours minimum. Electives include, but are not limited to:
AFA 6207: African American Historiography
AFA 6805: African Historiography
AFA 6355: African American Community Research
AFA 6387: Seminar on Genocide and Human Rights
AFA 6932: Special Topics
AFA 6905: Independent Study
AFA 6910: Directed Research
CPO 5934: Selected Topics in Comparative Politics (3)
POS 6933: Selected Topics in Political Science (3)

Electives have to be approved by the Graduate Director. Other graduate courses may also be taken as electives, with
approval by the Graduate Director.

Thesis/Non Thesis - 6 hours minimum
Thesis
POS 6971 6 Thesis: Master’s
AFA 6971 6 Thesis: Master’s

Students must enroll in either POS 6971 or AFA 6971 (Africana Studies Concentration students) Thesis: Master’s for a minimum of 6 credit hours. In their thesis, students must provide new insight into a relevant topic in political science or international studies. As students approach the thesis stage, they need to compose a thesis committee consisting of a major professor, who must be a member of the Department of Government and International Affairs, and two readers. One of the two readers can be from another department, but that person must first be approved by the Graduate Director. The thesis committee must approve proposals before students embark on their projects. Students must prepare a written thesis and defend their work in a formal oral presentation before their committee.

Non-Thesis:
Elective 3 Structured course approved by the Graduate Director and one of the following:
POS 6909 3 Independent Study (for students in a major field)
AFA 6905 3 Independent Study (for students in the Africana Studies Concentration)

Students who choose a non-thesis option will be required to complete an additional 6 hours of course work at the 6000
level. The student is required to demonstrate competency by successfully completing a substantial literature review of
approximately 50 pages in his or her major field, or in the Africana Studies Concentration.

Comprehensive Examination
For students in the thesis option, successful completion of the Thesis serves in lieu of the Comprehensive Exam. For
students in the non-thesis option, the extensive literature review determines competency and serves as the equivalent of a comprehensive examination.

Students may take a maximum of 3 credit hours of Independent Study (POS 6909) and 3 credit hours of Directed Research
(POS 6919)

For the full requirements, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies Graduate Catalog.