The Master of Arts is a well-rounded program that introduces students to the four major fields of political science: American Government, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Philosophy. MA students take core seminars in each of these fields as well as a course on research methods in political science. As their name implies, the core seminars provide the intellectual underpinning of the KSU MA. They present cutting-edge research in the field to students as well as timeless classics, and they allow students to explore topics in-depth in an interactive, rather then lecture-driven, format. To complete the MA, students also take five other courses that they choose based upon their substantive interests and goals.

Of course, graduate school is about more than coursework and KSU excels in one of the most important intangibles associated with graduate study. Our department is widely known to offer an uncommonly friendly, supportive environment for our M.A. students. Our faculty maintains an open door policy for students, who can drop in at any time with questions or concerns. Faculty members also go to great lengths to ensure that our graduate students succeed, whether this involves individual tutoring sessions to help students better understand certain methods or substantive topics or the careful reading of countless seminar paper drafts. M.A. students assist faculty on their research projects and grants, and have even submitted their own papers for publication. They have presented at regional political science conferences as well, an activity which the department is typically able to fund.

Most importantly, KSU’s rigorous, yet friendly, MA program has prepared students for success after graduation. For example, over the past three years six of our students have decided to go on to the next level and pursue a PhD in Political Science. All have received full funding at prominent, respected PhD programs and have thrived in their studies. A number of other MA graduates choose to work in non-academic settings. In the past three years, two MA graduates received prestigious Presidential Management Internships and later accepted jobs at federal agencies, while others now work at international non-governmental organizations like Oxfam or inter-governmental organizations such as WHO.

There must be a minimum of two semester's residence. All candidates for the Master of Arts degree are required to take the following:

No more than three hours of "nonclass" seminars or courses (e.g., readings, problems, internships) count toward the 30 hours required for the M.A. Master's students should earn 60% or more of their credit hours in courses numbered 700 or above. All students in the Master's degree program will be required to take written comprehensive examinations at the end of their course work. An oral defense of thesis, report or papers also will be required. See below.

Students may choose, in consultation with their advisers, one of three programs leading to the Master of Arts degree:

This option is designed to serve the needs of students interested in the foreign service, international trade, communications, or agriculture. It could also serve as a terminal degree for students planning to teach Political Science or a specialized sub-field in a related area in a community college setting. This emphasis also provides a more structured program of course work and a specialization in a specific area of expertise, international trade, international agriculture, or international business. This emphasis will be highlighted or recognized by specifying the specialty in the student's transcript. The student will be required to take 9 hours of credit in the specialty area, which would be equivalent to a minor. For more information and in order to set up such a program, please consult a faculty advisor.

To be eligible for admission, a student must have a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a four point scale). Others with at least a 2.7 GPA may be admitted on probation or under a special student category. Application materials for admission to the M.A. program must be returned to the Department of Political Science and should include a completed application form, two official transcripts from all colleges previously attended, three letters of recommendation (on official letterhead), and a statement of the candidate's personal objectives. Graduate Record Exams (GRE) are also recommended for all students applying to the Political Science program. Foreign students, in addition to the above materials, need to submit a TOEFL score (a minimum of 550) and a financial support form. A $30.00 fee is required for all U.S. citizens and permanent resident applicants. An application fee of $55.00 U.S. is required for all applications for admission for international students.