Political Science - M.A. and Ph.D. Download to print

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science consist of three concentrations: American Politics and Policy, Conflict Analysis and Management, and Transnational and Comparative Politics. Students take courses in two selected concentrations. Courses within each concentration can be found in the Political Science Department graduate handbook or on the Political Science Department web site: http://www.kent.edu/polisci/graduate-curriculum. The M.A. in Political Science produces critical thinking about how the political process and government policy-making affect the lives of citizens, and how citizens influence those processes.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science consists of three concentrations: American Politics and Policy, Conflict Analysis and Management, and Transnational and Comparative Politics and Policy. Students take courses in two selected concentrations. Courses within each concentration can be found in the Political Science Department graduate handbook or on the Political Science Department web site: http://www.kent.edu/polisci/graduate-curriculum. The Ph.D. in Political Science prepares students for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in other fields focused on political, economic and social issues.

Official transcript(s), 3.0 GPA, GRE, goal statement, three letters of recommendation and a writing sample. For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

The M.A. 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 M.A. curriculum includes four required core courses, plus several proseminars and electives. Proseminars and electives are organized into three areas of concentration: American Politics and Policy; Conflict Analysis and Management; and Transnational and Comparative Politics. M.A. students complete the degree by fulfilling either the Non-Thesis or Thesis Option.

If the Non-Thesis Option is chosen, students earn an M.A. by completing coursework. Students take twelve courses (four core courses; one proseminar plus three electives in the student's first concentration; one proseminar plus two electives in student's second concentration; and completing the research tool requirement). 

If the Thesis Option is chosen, students earn an M.A. by completing coursework, plus writing and defending a thesis. Students must take nine courses (four core courses, two proseminars and three electives [one each from the first and second concentration, plus an additional course chosen in consultation with the student's advisor]). Students must write and defend a thesis in addition to completing the coursework.

Ph.D: The Doctor of Philosophy degree prepares students for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in other fields. As with the M.A. degree, the doctoral curriculum includes four required core courses, POL 71094 College Teaching,  plus two proseminars and electives. Proseminars and electives are organized into three areas of concentration: American Politics and Policy; Conflict Analysis and Management; and Transnational and Comparative Politics. In addition to coursework, the program requires that students pass two field exams in their two areas of concentration, complete a research tool requirement, and write and defend both a dissertation prospectus and dissertation.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real world issues and problems. 
2. Attain research and methodological skills that will further their research and make them attractive to future employers. 
3. Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners and citizens. 

M.A.: Student must complete a non-thesis or thesis option.
Ph.D.: Dissertation required.
 

To meet the residency requirement, all Ph.D. students must spend two consecutive semesters pursuing doctoral studies.