Political Science

 

The Master of Science in Political Science is a 36 hour degree program that offers education in the classics of the discipline and individualized attention to each student's particular area of interest. All students will be exposed to a broad foundation of Political Science, taking seminars in American government and politics, global politics, political theory, and research methods. Students may choose to do (1) a thesis or (2) a political internship and research tutorial. The remaining courses are chosen by the student in consultation with the Graduate Advisor to create a Program of Study in which students may pursue interests in other disciplines such as communication, criminal justice, economics, geography, history, public administration, social work, sociology, teacher education, and urban studies. Students may also tailor Programs of Study to thematic interests such as democracy, diversity, globalization, or homeland security by selecting elective classes with similar themes from different disciplines.

Admission Requirements

  • 15 undergraduate hours in political science
  • PSCI 2000 - Introduction to Political Inquiry; or undergraduate equivalent
  • 3.0 undergraduate grade point average
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Completed departmental Statement of Interest form
  • Two official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

The above provisions may be waived by the Department's Graduate Program Committee.

Students may be admitted provisionally if they demonstrate ability to do graduate work through a proven record of professional experience, acceptable scores on the GRE or other standardized test, and/or favorable recommendations.

Students who wish to take courses for professional growth or personal interest but who do not intend to pursue an advanced degree may be granted unclassified admission.

Degree Requirements

M. S. Thesis Option

  • Complete 36 hours total.
  • Maintain 3.0 overall grade point average.
  • Pass written comprehensive exam.
  • Required Courses:

    • PSCI 8000 Seminar in Research Methods,
    • PSCI 8040 Seminar in American Government and Politics,
    • PSCI 8250 Seminar in Global Politics,
    • PSCI 8300 Seminar in Political Theory, and
    • PSCI 8900 Thesis (6 hours).
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  • Elective Courses: Complete 18 hours, no more than two (6 hours) of which may be 3xxx/8xx5 courses.

M. S. Non-Thesis Option

  • Complete 36 hours total.
  • Maintain 3.0 overall grade point average.
  • Pass written comprehensive exam.
  • Required Courses:

    • PSCI 8000 Seminar in Research Methods,
    • PSCI 8040 Seminar in American Government and Politics,
    • PSCI 8250 Seminar in Global Politics,
    • PSCI 8300 Seminar in Political Theory,
    • PSCI 8910 Political Internship, and
    • PSCI 8980 Research Tutorial.
  • Elective Courses: Complete 18 hours, no more than two (6 hours) of which may be 3xxx/8xx5 courses.

Graduate Minor in Political Science

The Department of Political Science offers a graduate minor to students pursuing graduate degrees in other programs at the University of Nebraska. The requirements for the minor are that the student complete a minimum of nine (9) graduate hours in political science courses, which must include Seminar in American Government and Politics, Seminar in Global Politics, and Seminar in Political Theory.The courses to be taken for the minor are to be approved both by the student's adviser in the student's major subject and by the graduate program committee chair in Political Science.