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Please click here to download FAQs
1. For whom is the program intended?
In
no particular order: students interested in teaching,
either at the secondary level or the community college
level; teachers who want to earn an M.A. for professional
reasons; students who think they might want to go
on to doctoral programs; students who want to expand
their knowledge of politics for whatever personal
or professional reason, including getting more involved
in practical politics. [top]
2. What are the admission requirements?
University
requirements are a baccalaureate from an accredited
institution and a grade-point average of at least
2.5 in the last 60 semester units attempted.
In addition to the university requirements, acceptance
into the M.A. in the political science program requires
a grade-point average of 3.0 in the major field and
in all political science courses. If the major is
not in one of the social sciences, the GPA requirement
also applies to upper-division social science courses
taken. If a student’s GPA does not meet these
criteria, the student may appeal to the department’s
graduate committee for a waiver.
Normally, admission to the master’s program
requires that a student possess a bachelor’s
degree in political science, or a minor in political
science, or a major in an allied social science field
with a minimum of 15 units of political science courses.
For those without such a background, the M.A. Coordinator
may require the applicant to take a group of upper-division
political science courses at the 300 and/or 400 level
(not more than nine units of which will be at the
300 level) prior to admission to the program.
In addition to the above requirements, applicants
need to submit a writing sample to the M.A. Political
Science Coordinator. [top]
3. How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through CSUMentor. Applicants must also submit 2-3 letters of recommendation and a writing sample to the department, care of Suzanne Collea. GRE (general) scores are recommended, but not required.0
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4. Are night classes available?
Yes; all graduate seminars (500-level classes) are
offered at night, usually beginning at 7 p.m. Students
may also take senior-level (400-level) courses as
part of their study plans. Some of these courses
are offered at night, while others are offered during
the day, depending on the schedule in any given semester. [top]
5. How about intersession and summer classes?
Courses
that may be applied to a graduate students’ study
plan are offerred during intersession and summer
session. [top]
6. What are the program requirements?
Here are the core—that is, required—courses
that must be taken by all students:
Scope
and Theory of Political Science: Six Units Total
Political Science 540 Seminar Readings in Political
Philosophy (3 units)
Political Science 541 Seminar in Contemporary Political
Theory (3 units))
American Politics/Public Affairs: Six Units Total
Political Science 511 Seminar in American Politics
(3 units)
PLUS
Political Science 519 State and Local Government
(3 units)
or Political Science 509 Administrative Organization and Process (3
units)
or Political Science 525 Seminar in Metropolitan Area Government (3
units)
or Political Science 528 Seminar in Public Administration and Policy
(3 units)
Cross-National Politics: Six Units Total
Political Science 530 Seminar in Cross-National Politics
(3 units) or
Political Science 551 Seminar in Theories of International
Relations
--but students are encouraged to take both classes
The total number of units required is 30—ten three-unit classes, in other words
Students must also successfully complete either: (1) written exams in the three areas noted above plus an oral exam or (2) a project or (3) a thesis. These options are intended for students with different career and professional goals. Students must consult with the program adviser for further information on these options. Under university rules, graduate students in the 400-level classes are held to a higher academic standard than undergraduates in the same course.
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7. Are there opportunities for research?
Yes, several. You may work with faculty members
on their research and receive unit credit via an
independent studies course; you may take two such
courses for a total of six units. We also have a
class that every year attends the Western Political
Science Association meeting. That class involves
reading convention papers and attending convention
panels, among other related activities. And some
of our students have organized panels and presented
papers at the convention. For those considering doctoral
level work this is an excellent opportunity to experience
that side of the discipline. [top]
8. Are there opportunities for teaching?
Yes, several. Depending on the budget, we hire several
students on a semesterly basis to work as graduate
assistants in introductory classes—typically
American government classes. The pay isn’t
great but the opportunities to learn about teaching
are. Additionally, we have a teaching practicum class
that involves working with faculty on their courses—again,
these are introductory courses—for unit credit.
Students doing this have the opportunity to work
with students on exam prep, exam grading, and also
have the opportunity to give lectures in the classes
in which they’re working.
The university Faculty Development Center offers
a program on teaching technology which, if you take
all the classes, results in a certificate in teaching
technology. M.A. students may take these courses,
and past students tell us that having the certificate
was very helpful to them in landing their first community
college teaching jobs as part-time faculty.
For further information,
please call 657.278.3523.
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