The Political Science Department at MSU offers a Master of Arts degree in Political Science (MAPS), which is intended both for those who desire to eventually pursue a Ph.D. in Political Science and those who desire a terminal degree. The MAPS is primarily a generalist degree in political science which also provides a wide range of possibilities for specialization or for interdisciplinary work. The student, in consultation with a faculty advisor, plans a program of study reflecting the student's specific interests.

Admission Requirements for the MAPS (Master of Arts in Political Science) are:

1. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, OR:
   

   Other factors (e.g. promising public or private sector work experience) demonstrating that the program can be successfully completed.

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
3. At least 9 credits of undergraduate political science coursework. The requirement for 9 credits of undergraduate political science courses may be waived if the applicant can show relevant work related or other experiences that provide the necessary background to pursue graduate work in political science.
4. When students do not meet the normal admission requirements, they may be recommended for admission by the department subject to removal of deficiencies or other conditions.

The GRE is not required for admission to any of these programs. All applicants are required to submit the following information to the College of Graduate Studies by the deadline for the semester applied:

1. Application for Graduate Study
2. All college transcripts in duplicate
3. Verification of baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
4. Required information from international students.

Upon receipt of the above information, the College of Graduate Studies forwards the student's file to the department for admission recommendation. After the graduate coordinator of the Political Science/Law Enforcement Department has recommended the student be admitted to the program, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies will certify that the student meets the admission requirements and will then admit the student to the program and the College of Graduate Studies.

Program Outline

There are 34 credits required for the MAPS. In order to complete the required 34 graduate credits, students must take the following courses:

Required Core (7 credits)

POLS 600(3) Research Methods
POLS 611(1) Orientation for Graduate Students
POLS 650(3) Seminar: Political Theory

A minimum of 12 of the remaining credits must be in Political Science.

Required Electives (Maximum 21-26 credits)

Choose any 500/600 level electives selected in consultation with an advisor.

Required Written Comprehensive and Oral Exams

Required Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper

POLS 699 (3-6) Thesis OR
POLS 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper

At least 17 of the 34 credits must be in 600 level classes. A research tool of either a reading knowledge of a foreign language or an advanced statistics or other advanced research course is required but does not count toward the 34 credits required for the MAPS. The research tool must be approved by the student's committee.