Political Science Degrees

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.
• 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

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.
• 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 their online application or send an email directly to Terese Campbell, the Graduate Program Coordinator at campbet@fiu.edu.

1. 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)
2. A personal statement, 2 to 3 pages double-spaced in length, explaining research interests and rationale for pursuing a graduate degree.
3. CV/ Resume ( For all Ph.D., MA International Studies, and MA Political Science applicants)
4. Writing sample ( topic relating to world politics with minimum 5-7 pages, For all Ph.D., MA International Studies, MA Political Science applicants)
5. Ph.D. applicants must fill out the Department supplemental application form.

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)
• 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)

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

The minimum requirements for admission to the Ph.D. 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.
• 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 either 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

Applicants seeking admission for the Fall semester must submit all application materials by January 15th to receive full consideration for funding. Applications cannot be considered by the Graduate Admissions Committee until all required materials have been submitted. The admissions decision 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.
• 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 their online application and/or send an email directly to Terese Campbell, the Graduate Program Coordinator at campbet@fiu.edu.

1. 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)
2. A personal statement, 2 to 3 pages double-spaced in length, explaining research interests and rationale for pursuing a graduate degree.
3. CV/ Resume ( For all Ph.D., MA International Studies, MA Political Science applicants)
4. Writing sample ( topic relating to world politics with minimum 5-7 pages, For all Ph.D., MA International Studies, MA Political Science applicants)
5. Ph.D. applicants must fill out the Department supplemental application form.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum 76 credit hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science is conferred based on satisfactory completion of required course work, a demonstrated mastery of a broad field of knowledge, and successful completion and defense of the dissertation. The degree provides graduates with a solid foundation in the basic theories and methodologies of political science in conjunction with specialization in traditional subfields. Students will, in consultation with their faculty advisors, determine the contents of their course work. Students will specialize in two examination fields drawn from among the four of the principal subfields of Political Science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Theory. Students are also required to take additional coursework in a third, non-examined field of specialization. The third specialization field is satisfied by a minimum of 9 credit hours in a regionally or topically defined area.

Students’ proposed programs must be approved by their advisors and the Political Science Graduate Studies Committee.

Courses

Required Courses (13 credits)

• POS 5702 Teaching Political Science (1)
• POS 5706 Research Methodology (3)
• POS 5716 Foundations of Political Science (3)
• POS 6918 Seminar in Political Science Methodology (3)
• One additional course in Methods (3)

Common Core Courses (12 credits)

• CPO 5091 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3)
• INR 5007 Seminar in International Politics (3)
• POS 5045 Seminar in American Politics (3)

• POT 5007 Seminar in Political Theory (3)

Other Core and Elective Courses (27 credits)

• Two Examination Fields (minimum 12 credits)
• Third Specialization (minimum 9 credits)

• Approved Electives (minimum 6 credits)

Language Requirement

The Political Science Ph.D. Program requires competency in one foreign language or demonstrated competency in computer and methodological techniques when considered more appropriate. Language competency must be demonstrated prior to taking the comprehensive examinations.

Comprehensive Examinations

After satisfactory completion of course work, students will take comprehensive exams in two chosen subfields before being admitted to candidacy and defending a dissertation proposal. The comprehensive exams requires a demonstration of broad knowledge of the two examination fields.

Comprehensive examinations are given twice yearly, in mid-September and in mid-January.

Dissertation (minimum 24 credits)

After passing the comprehensive exams, students are admitted to candidacy and enroll for dissertation credits under the supervision of their dissertation advisors. Candidates will prepare and defend a dissertation proposal. Upon completion of the work, a public defense of the dissertation will be scheduled in accordance with university policy.

Financial Aid

The program has a limited number of graduate assistantships available for qualified students. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis only to full-time students. Students applying for full-time status are considered automatically for these awards. Assistantships are renewable each year for up to four years based on satisfactory progress and performance. Applications must be completed by the January 15 deadline to receive full consideration for funding.