M.A. Degree Requirements
 |
Kristyn Allyce Call, a student in the M.A. program, is working under the direction of Professor Mary Malone on her thesis, which explores why women in Costa Rica and Chile are politically more conservative than women in the U.S. Kristyn is examining the traditional social values women hold in Costa Rica and Chile, the presence of machismo in these cultures, the societal emphasis on traditional roles for women, the role of religion, and women’s movements to determine the factors that make Costa Rican and Chilean women more conservative than their American counter-parts. |
Master of Arts students choose to pursue their degree either through the thesis option, or the non-thesis option. The decision should be made towards the end of the first semester with the advice and counsel of the student’s advisor.
The thesis option: the student must complete a minimum of 30 credits for the degree: eight courses and a 6 credit master’s thesis. Of the eight courses, two are required seminars Pro-Seminar (POLT 900) and Introduction to Statistical Analysis (POLT 905) to be taken during the student’s first semester. The remaining six electives must include two courses in the student's major subfield, one course in one of the three other subfields, and electives in political science or a related discipline (with advisor's approval). Working closely with their thesis director and advisor, students can tailor coursework to specialize in a particular area, or to broaden their expertise in the discipline overall.
The non-thesis option: the student must complete a minimum of 33 credits for the degree: ten courses and successful completion of a comprehensive examination (taken at the end of the student’s coursework). Two courses are required seminars Pro-Seminar (POLT 900) and Introduction to Statistical Analysis (POLT 905) to be taken during the student’s first semester. The remaining eight electives must include two courses in the student's major subfield, one course in one of the three other subfields, and electives in political science or a related discipline (with advisor's approval).
Master of Arts in Political Science Degree Requirements
Thesis Option
I) Required Courses: 6 credits
POLT 900 Pro-Seminar
POLT 905 Introduction to Statistical Analysis
II) Required Electives: 9 credits
2 courses in major subfield in political science
1 course in minor subfield
Subfields
Comparative Politics International Politics
Political Thought/Theory American Politics/Public Administration
III) Additional Electives: 9 credits
Three (3) courses at the 800 or 900 level in Political Science or related discipline
**approval signature of MA Director or advisor if course is outside the department
IV) Master’s Thesis: 6 credits
POLT 899 Master’s Thesis: successful completion
Total:
8 courses
Thesis
30 credit hours
Non-Thesis Option
I) Required Courses: 6 credits
POLT 900 Pro-Seminar
POLT 905 Introduction to Statistical Analysis
II) Required Electives: 9 credits
2 courses in major subfield in political science
1 course in minor subfield
Subfields
Comparative Politics International Politics
Political Thought/Theory American Politics/Public Administration
III) Additional Electives: 15 credits
Five (5) courses at the 800 or 900 level in Political Science or related discipline
**approval signature of MA Director or advisor if course is outside the department
IV) Comprehensive Examination
Successful completion of comprehensive examination taken in final semester
Total:
10 courses
Comprehensive Examination
30 credit hours
For more information:
Prof. Stacy VanDeveer, MA Faculty Director, stacy.vandeveer@unh.edu
Tama Andrews, Graduate Program Coordinator, tama.andrews@unh.edu
