Masters in Political Science
The Master of Arts degree in Political Science at Florida International University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the discipline. The department’s graduate program in Political Science builds on faculty strengths and distinguishes itself by stressing a comparative approach to the study of politics. The program is designed to equip its graduates with a solid foundation in the basic theories and methods of Political Science, in conjunction with an in-depth education in selected traditional subfields.
- Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master's program is competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
The minimum requirements for admission to the M.A. program include:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) during the last two years of a student's undergraduate program and/or a graduate grade point average of 3.25.
- A GRE score no more than five years old.
- Graduates of non-U.S. institutions must be academically eligible for further study in the country where the degree was earned.
- International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL or 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.
- Admission Procedures
Admission Procedures
Applicants seeking admission for the Fall semester must submit all application materials by March 15th. Applications cannot be considered by the Graduate Admissions Committee until all required materials have been submitted. Admission decisions will be announced no later than April 15th. Applicants must apply online using the website of the FIU University Graduate School. The following items should be submitted to the FIU University Graduate School:
- Official transcripts of all university-level work, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional school courses.
- An official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
- For international applicants whose native language is not English, a score for either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
In addition, applicants must submit the following directly to your online application or email directly to Erika Posada- Carrillo, the graduate program specialist. eposada@fiu.edu.
- Letters of recommendation (2 if MA applicant, 3 if Ph.D. applicant) from university instructors who have knowledge of the applicant's academic qualifications ( a professional letter will be required)
- A personal statement, 2 to 3 pages double-spaced in length, explaining research interests and rationale for pursuing a graduate degree.
- CV/ Resume ( For all Ph.D., MA International Studies, and MA Political Science applicants)
- Writing sample ( topic relating to world politics with minimum 5-7 pages, For all Ph.D., MA International Studies, MA Political Science applicants)
- Ph.D. applicants must fill out the Department supplemental application form.
- Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements
The course of study for the M.A. in Political Science requires 30 credit hours beyond the Bachelor's degree.
- Required Courses (9 credits)
- POS 5716 Foundations of Political Science (3)
- POS 5706 Research Methodology (3)
- POS 6976 Research Seminar (3)
- Core Courses (9 credits)
- Each student is required to take three of the following four core courses
- POS 5045 Seminar in American Politics (3)
- CPO 5091 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3)
- INR 5007 Seminar in International Politics (3)
- POT 5007 Seminar in Political Theory (3)
- Each student is required to take three of the following four core courses
- Electives (12 credits)
- Students are required to take four elective courses. A student may take a maximum of six credit hours in a cognate field or in an approved cognate program.
- A final Research project (typically completed during POS 6976, the Research Seminar)
- Students are required to take four elective courses. A student may take a maximum of six credit hours in a cognate field or in an approved cognate program.
- Required Courses (9 credits)