Non-Thesis Track
Core Course Work:
Non-thesis option students must successfully complete a minimum of 36* hours, including three required hours and a written examination that covers course work in the major field and takes place near the completion of the degree.
*Nine hours of this course work may be taken in a related field(s) to political science with prior approval from the M.A. Director.
Online Options:
(only within American Studies emphasis)
No more than 18 hours (6 courses) of non-face-to-face classroom hours. This includes:
Internship
Study Abroad
Directed readings
Online graduate political science courses
Comprehensive Written Exam
The non-thesis degree track requires the passing of a written examination covering the fields of political science. In consultation with and approval of the MA Program Director, you are responsible for composing your exam committee and submitting the Comprehensive Exam Report Form. These committees are generally composed of three faculty in political science who will each provide you with three topics to prepare.
The third member may be from outside political science if you have taken approved courses with that faculty member and have approval from the MA Program Director.
Professors will select one or two of the topics that they provided for your comp exam. You will be given a two hour writing period per topic(s) prepared by each faculty member for a total of six hours. The exit exam will be given in one day.
If you graduate during a fall semester, you will receive your topics two weeks in advance of the first Friday of November. If you are to graduate during a spring semester, you will receive your topics two weeks in advance of the first Friday of April. The exam date for the fall semester will be the first Friday of November and for the spring semester the first Friday of April. You will be required to type your responses in a computer lab arranged by the MA Program Director and the computer lab coordinator.
The faculty member who provided the topic(s) will read the response(s) and determine whether you pass that portion of the exam. Faculty will have a one week grading period.
If a student's work is not acceptable in any area, they will have one opportunity to retake the necessary portion(s) of the exam during the next long semester. Students will have to reapply for graduation in that semester.
Students will be required to sign the Statement of No Appeal, as well as sign the Academic Honesty Agreement which acknowledges that if it is verified that a student has plagiarized any portion of their exam the student will not be allowed to complete the program.
Final Semester Timeline:
EARLY FEBRUARY / SEPTEMBER
Meet with MA Program Director to discuss committee formation
6 WEEKS BEFORE EXAM
Ask faculty to be on committee
Meet to discuss potential topics
2 WEEKS BEFORE EXAM
Receive topic questions that may appear on the exam
FIRST FRIDAY OF APRIL / NOVEMBER
Examination