MA Political Science

 

Admission Requirements

The requirement for admission to the MA is an honors degree in Political Science (4 year) with high standing. A student must currently have an average of at least a B+ (78%), this could increase to an A (80%), or equivalent grade point average in all courses taken within the final two years of his/her undergraduate work.

 

The Department of Political Science offers the MA degree in the following fields:

  • Political Theory
  • Canadian Politics
  • Comparative Politics
  • Local Government
  • International Relations

The MA program offers high quality courses in these main areas of political science, but it is distinctive. In the required course on ‘Scope and Methods in Political Science’, students explicitly focus on the various ways of doing political research.

As well, all of our MA candidates are employed as Teaching Assistants.  They are mentored throughout the entire TA experience, developing very marketable teaching skills.

Why Pursue a Graduate Degree?     

  • A graduate degree increases your competitiveness in the job market
  • Unemployment rates are historically lowest among those with graduate degrees
  • Average weekly income is highest among those who hold graduate degrees
  • 35% more master's and PhD graduates will be required over the next decade
  • Graduate degrees help keep training and skills current, increasing eligibility for career advancement.

MA Program Requirements

Our full-time MA program takes one calendar year (three terms) to complete, September admission only.  There are two ways to complete the requirements.  The first term requirements are the same for both options.  Second term requirements differ depending on your chosen option. 

i. The thesis option

This option requires three first-term courses, including ‘Politics 9501a: MA Scope & Methods of Political Science’, and at least one core course; an overall first-term average of 83% must be achieved. In the second term, students register for one further core course. The thesis is a piece of independent research of approximately 80-100 pages, to be completed and defended in an oral examination.

ii. The coursework option

This option also requires three first-term courses, including ‘Politics 9501a: MA Scope & Methods of Political Science’, and at least one core course. In the second term, it requires three further courses, including and at least one further core course. In the third term, students register for 'Politics 9580: Major Research Paper', a critical literature review of approximately 50 pages.                                                                  

Summary of Degree Requirements

  FIRST TERM                                                                                                                

   For ALL MA students

  • PS 9501A - MA Scope & Methods of Political Science

  • TWO graduate courses, at least ONE from the list of Core Courses

  • By end of term, determine course work option or thesis option.  The MA thesis option requires the submission of an Application and Initial Proposal form which must be approved by the Supervisor and submitted to the Graduate Chair by December 1st

 

  SECOND TERM                                                                                                            

   Coursework Option

  • THREE graduate courses, at least ONE selected from the list of Core Courses

or

   Thesis Option

  • Eligibility to pursue the thesis option must be determined by the Graduate Chair 

  • ONE course, selected from the list of Core Courses

  • Complete MA thesis propsal by January 30th

  SUMMER TERM                                                                                                            

   Coursework Option

  • PS 9580 - MA Research Paper (MRP)

or

   Thesis Option

  • Complete/Defend MA Thesis

  • Must adhere to SGPS deadlines for thesis submission to be eligible to complete in the summer term.

Graduate Career and Professional Development Services     

As graduate students in the Department of Political Science, Western offers you its Graduate Student 360' Professional Development initiative, which has resulted from collaboration between the School of Graduate and postdoctoral Studies and Western's Teaching Support Centre.  The initiative will bring you such events as the Graduate Writing Conference, Graduate Career Days, and Graduate Student Conferences on Teaching & Orientation for Teaching Assistants. See grad.uwo.ca/360