Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science

The program information below was valid for the winter 2023 term (January 1, 2023 - April 30, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis
  • Master's Research Paper

• Minimum requirements 
  • An Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Political Science with at least a 78% overall standing.
  • Statement of Research.
  • Students with an Honours BA in a related discipline will be considered for admission but may be required to complete further work in Political Science before proceeding. Students with a General Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science may be admitted to a qualifying program, and then apply for admission to the Master of Arts (MA) program after completion of that program.
  • Probationary students admitted to the program must achieve at least 75% in 2 predetermined courses in order to continue in the Winter term. Normally a student will not continue on probationary status for more than two terms.
  • Transitional students admitted are normally required to complete additional predetermined undergraduate or graduate courses and achieve at least a 75% average.
• Application materials 
  • Résumé
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
  • Writing sample
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    normally from academic sources

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

At the time of application, students are asked to provide the Department with a general outline of their research interests, together with a suggested Thesis or Master’s Research Paper project. There are many opportunities for students and faculty to discuss research interests and the two options in the program. Upon arrival, the Graduate Officer assigns a faculty advisor to each student. Although the faculty advisor could become a student's supervisor, the advisor is to assist and offer advice on academic and administrative matters until a research supervisor is chosen.

The Department presumes that all students are in the Master’s Research Paper option. Students who wish to write a thesis may apply to do so at the end of the Fall term. A committee composed of the Graduate Officer, the prospective supervisor and prospective reader assesses a thesis proposal.

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the equivalent of 4 one-term graduate level Political Science courses 0.50 unit weight) including PSCI 600 Theories and Methods of Political Analysis.
• The overall average achieved in the 4 credit courses should be at least 70%.
• Reading courses may supplement regular offerings in the program, although it is understood that they will be approved at the discretion of the Department. Students will normally be permitted to take 1 reading course as part of their degree.

Link(s) to courses

• Political Science (PSCI) courses

Master's Seminar

• Students are required to participate in a Master’s Seminar (also referred to as a Methods Workshop) in the winter term: they will present their in-progress thesis/MRP work and provide feedback to fellow students.

Master’s Thesis

• Students must submit and defend a thesis embodying the results of original research.
• The thesis is the equivalent of 4 one-term courses (0.50 unit weight), and therefore should occupy roughly half of the student's allotted time.
• Students are allowed much latitude in the choice of research topic, it is expected that the thesis itself to be somewhat narrow in scope and analytically well-defined. Students sometimes do not appreciate how ambitious their initial proposals are. One elementary criterion of a suitable topic is that it can be completed within the time allotted.
• Students must apply to write a thesis at the end of the Fall term. The thesis proposal is assessed early in the Winter term by the Graduate Officer and the prospective supervisor and reader.

Master's Research Paper option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the equivalent of 6 one-term graduate level Political Science courses (0.50 unit weight) including PSCI 600 Theories and Methods of Political Analysis.
• The overall average achieved in the 6 credit courses should be at least 70%.
• Reading courses may supplement regular offerings in the program, although it is understood that they will be approved at the discretion of the Department. Students will normally be permitted to take 1 reading course as part of their degree.

Link(s) to courses

• Political Science (PSCI) courses

Master's Seminar

• Students are required to participate in a Master’s Seminar (also referred to as a Methods Workshop) in the winter term: they will present their in-progress thesis/MRP work and provide feedback to fellow students.

Master’s Research Paper

• The Master’s Research Paper is best thought of as a "mini thesis" and is the equivalent of 2 one-term courses (0.50 unit weight). The work is co-supervised by two faculty members who may ask for corrections and who jointly decide on the grade to be awarded upon completion.
• Students must achieve a grade of 75% or higher on their MRP in order to satisfy the degree requirements for the program.