ALL PROGRAMS | College of Arts & Sciences Programs
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What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

This program requires 30 course hours and can generally be completed in three to four semesters.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus, Online

The degree can be completed fully in-person, fully online, or with a mix of the two.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: Rolling Admissions.  Final Deadline is July 1.
  • Spring: November 15
  • Summer: Does not normally admit. Contact program director to see if exceptions are available.

Political Science, M.A. - Concentrations in General Political Science, American Politics, International and Comparative Politics, or Public Law

Talk to an enrollment coach
404-413-4393
[email protected]

Louis-Alexandre Berg
M.A. Program Director
[email protected]
404-413-6602

The Mission of the Political Science Master of Arts program is to prepare scholars and practitioners to be experts in the major fields of political science. Georgia State's Political Science, M.A. with concentrations in General Political Science, American Politics, International and Comparative Politics or Public Law seeks to serve as a strong terminal Master's program for those seeking to work in the political, governmental, policy, advocacy, or educational fields, and to provide the foundation for those students who wish to continue on for a PhD or further graduate study. Student who complete the program will be able to combine theoretical sophistication with methodological rigor, and will strengthen professional skills, including critical analysis, data analysis, writing, and oral communication, necessary to thrive in their careers. The degree can be completed fully in-person, fully online, or with a mix of the two.

The Political Science master's degree program  offers a choice of four concentrations:

  • General Political Science
  • American Politics
  • International and Comparative Politics
  • Public Law

Students with an interest in quantitative methods also have the option of choosing an advanced methods track.

Program Highlights
Program Details

Applicants must have received a B.A. or B.S. degree. The Department of Political Science asks applicants to submit the following:

  • Complete Online Graduate Application
  • Two letters of recommendation from persons who can authoritatively comment on your academic abilities
  • Transcripts from all graduate and/or undergraduate institutions attended
  • Statement of your research interests and how the Political Science Department will help you meet your career and educational goals
  • Writing sample

The department seeks applicants with a history of strong academic achievement, clear interests and potential for excellence at the graduate level.

The degree program requires 30 credit hours. To fulfill these, most students will take eight 3-credit-hour courses, 6-credit-hours of experiential learning (which can be an internship, a consulting project, a study abroad opportunity or something else), and will complete a non-thesis research project.

For their coursework, students can choose to take from one to four methods courses, with the rest in substantive areas.  These can be completed both through online M.A.-level courses and through in-person Ph.D.-level seminars.  Students may also choose to substitute a thesis for two courses and the non-thesis paper.  Generally, the degree can be completed in three to four semesters, including summer.  More details are available in the catalog.

The program prepares students for careers in politics, government and academia. The program provides advanced training in American, comparative and international politics, as well as opportunities to build skills in cutting-edge quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Our extensive relationships across metro Atlanta, the United States and the world provide students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities. These can include consulting projects with local governments and non-governmental organizations, internships with law firms, the Georgia Legislature and Carter Center and similar organizations, and study abroad opportunities.  The thesis option allows students to conduct original research under the supervision of faculty and can serve as a first step towards a doctorate.

Description

Careers

This degree can lead to a wide variety of careers in politics, government and academia. These include jobs in government relations and lobbying, local, state, and federal administration, journalism and non-governmental organizations.  These concentrations can also serve as preparation for further graduate studies towards a Ph.D. in political science or international affairs or toward a juris doctor degree.

A list of some of our recent M.A. graduates can be found here: https://politicalscience.gsu.edu/home/graduate/placement-history/recent-m-graduates/

Profiles are some of our B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. graduates are available here: https://politicalscience.gsu.edu/connections/political-science-alumni-success-stories/

Contacts

Admissions and Curriculum Inquiries

Associate Graduate Director
Louis-Alexandre Berg
[email protected]
404-413-6602

Graduate Director
Dr. Michael Fix
[email protected]
404-413-6190

College of Arts & Sciences Lockup25 Park Pl NE #2500
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared here provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.