University
of Pittsburgh
Department of Political Science
MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE
The Master of Arts Degree is a two year program involving 36 credit
hours of graduate coursework. All MA students are required to complete
with grades of "B" or higher a 12-credit core-course sequence
in Empirical and Normative Political Theory (PS 2010, 2020, 2030, and 2040)
offering graduate level training in theory, methods, philosophy of social
science, quantitative analysis of political behavior, and normative political
thought. The remainder of the student's MA coursework is used to develop
competence in one of the four broad fields of political science offered
by the department. Coursework outside the department relevant to the student's
chosen field is encouraged after the first year.
At the outset of the fourth full term of residency, MA candidates sit
for a comprehensive examination in the departmental field of political
science in which they have been concentrating. Successful performance on
this examination is required to obtain the MA Degree. The MA comprehensive
examination is also used by the department for screening students who wish
to pursue graduate work at the PhD level. Students admitted for PhD study
with MA degrees from other institutions must take this MA comprehensive/PhD
qualifying examination within their first year of study at the University
of Pittsburgh.
Summary of the MA Degree Requirements
- 36 graduate credits with at least an average grade of "B."
- This includes a 12-credit MA core in political science. The12-credit
core in the subfield of empirical and normative political theory consists
of three courses in theory and methods (Political Science 2010, 2020, and
2030) and a core seminar in normative political thought (Political Science
2040).
- All core courses must be passed with a grade of "B" or higher.
- Passage of comprehensive examinations in one of the broad fields of
political science offered by the department--American Politics, Comparative
Politics, Empirical and Normative Political Theory (beyond the core courses),
or World Politics.
CONTACT US!
Department of Political Science
4L01 Forbes Quadrangle
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Email: polisci+@pitt.edu
Tel: (412) 648-7250
Fax: (412) 648-7277