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Political Science - M.A. and Ph.D.

COLLEGE: College of Arts and Sciences
DEPARTMENT: Department of Political Science
302 Bowman Hall
Tel: 330-672-2060
Fax: 330-672-3362
Web: http://www.kent.edu/cas/PoliSci/index.cfm

For more information, please contact:

Chris Banks, Graduate Coordinator
Tel: 330-672-0908
 
DESCRIPTION: The Master of Arts in Political Science consist of four concentrations: American Politics and Policy, Justice Politics and Policy, Policy Administration and Analysis and Transnational and Comparative Politics and Policy.

Political Science produces critical thinking about how government policies affect the lives of citizens, and how citizens influence public policy.

The Ph.D. in Political Science consist of four concentrations: American Politics and Policy, Justice Politics and Policy, Policy Administration and Analysis and Transnational and Comparative Politics and Policy.

Political Science prepares students for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in other fields. The program’s primary focus is on public policy.
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS:
 Official transcript(s), 3.0 GPA, GRE, goal statement, three letters of recommendation and a writing sample.
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS:
 The Master of Arts program is designed for students who do not anticipate continuing their education beyond the master’s degree, or who do not plan to continue their education at Kent State.

The normal program for M.A. students is as follows:
  • Year 1—Students complete four core seminars plus two proseminars. The proseminars correspond to two areas in which the students develop a concentration.
  • Year 2—Students take two elective courses in the areas of concentration, and one additional course to be approved by the student’s advisor. Full-time M.A. students satisfy these requirements in three semesters, leaving a fourth semester to prepare an M.A. thesis or two papers of distinction.
Students may elect to complete a minor in a related discipline, which involves the successful completion of 9 credit hours of coursework in that discipline. Students not electing a minor in a related discipline are permitted to submit as many as 6 credits from related departments. Note that taking courses outside of political science will probably require additional coursework above the minimum hours required for an M.A. All credits from outside the department must be approved by the student’s M.A. committee.

Ph.D: The Doctor of Philosophy prepares students for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in other fields. The program’s primary focus is on public policy. In addition to coursework, the program requires that students pass a qualifying exam after their first year, pass two field exams in their two areas of concentration, complete a research skill requirement, and write and defend a dissertation.

The normal program for full-time students is as follows:
  • Year 1—Students complete four core courses, two proseminars and pass a qualifying exam. The qualifying exam is based on the material from the core courses.
  • Years 2-3—Students complete a proseminar, seven electives and fulfill the research-tool requirement in consultation with their Ph.D. advisory committee. After completing the necessary coursework, students must pass two field exams. Field examinations are completed before the second semester of a student’s third year. After passing the examinations, the students must defend a prospectus, create a dissertation committee and begin preparatory work on the dissertation. Students are expected to defend a prospectus by the end of their third year.
  • Years 4-5—Students write dissertation and present a public, oral defense.
RESIDENCY
REQUIREMENT:
 To meet the residency requirement, all Ph.D. students must spend two consecutive semesters pursuing doctoral studies.
THESIS/
DISSERTATION:
 		M.A.: Student must complete a Thesis or two papers of distinction.

Ph.D.: Dissertation required.
PROGRAM FEE: None
STUDENT
ORGANIZATIONS:
 Political Science Graduate Student Association