The Master of Arts degree in Political Science serves the needs of students who are interested in teaching and research at the college level, who are preparing for political or administrative careers in public or governmental service, who are preparing for careers in secondary education, who are preparing for continued graduate studies, and who, as citizens, simply want to know more about public affairs.
Graduate students explore topics such as the variables that have the highest impact on voter turn-out; the effect of term limits and whether or not they produce a more diverse group of political leaders; if sanctions are an effective tool in foreign policy; how political affiliation influences social behaviors during a pandemic and much more. Students have multiple opportunities to conduct research in areas such as political theory, public administration, public policy, and institutional authority within local, state, national, and international communities.
The program is tailored to meet the needs of the individual student and allows for concentration or specialization in a specific area. For those pursuing the credentials necessary for teaching at the college level, this program allows the ability to acquire enough hours in two teaching fields.
It is possible to complete a Master of Arts degree in Political Science entirely online, allowing maximum flexibility for students to complete coursework around work, family, and other responsibilities. Thesis and non-thesis options are available, allowing students more control of their academic careers.
The Master of Arts in Political Science degree was ranked in the top 10 of the most affordable political science graduate programs in the 2020 Online U. rankings and as a top 10 program for its flexibility in 2021 by Intelligent.com.
NOTE: There are proposed changes to this program, including a reduction in required program hours (from 36 to 30). Updates will be posted upon approval.
Recent Sul Ross political science and public administration graduates have moved on to careers in local, state, and federal government, higher education, and administration of private non-profit organizations.
Students will graduate with the ability to:
- Organize and execute verbal and written presentations about complex social issues
- Tackle social and political problems by acquiring relevant data and using insight and technical skills to analyze data and develop logical solutions
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of institutional authority within local, state, national, and international communities.
- Understand and execute a policy analysis
With the low student-faculty ratio, public administration students are provided with more opportunities for one-on-one collaboration with faculty members.
All students have the opportunity to present research at the annual research symposium, as well as regional and national conferences.
Eligible students will be encouraged to develop connections with fellow students and scholars through involvement in the Omicron Phi chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honors Society, as well as through membership in the American Political Science Association (APSA) and/or the American Society of Public Administration.
| Jessica Velasco, D.P.A. Assistant Professor of Political Science & Public Administration LH 203 C-157 432.837.8742 jessica.velasco@sulross.edu |
Yen-Hsin Chen, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Administration LH 308 C-157 432.837-8342 yen-hsin.chen@sulross.edu |
Comprehensive Exam Procedures for
Master of Public Administration and Master of Arts in Political Science
As part of the degree requirements for the Master of Public Administration or Master of Arts in Political Science, each graduate student must pass a comprehensive examination of their coursework. The exam consists of a take-home written component and an oral component.
Scheduling the Exam
After mid-term of the last semester of the student’s coursework in either program, the student should consult with their Public Administration/Political Science advisor to form an exam committee. The committee will be comprised of three Sul Ross State University faculty members. At least two committee members must be from the Public Administration/Political Science faculty. One member of the committee may be from a related discipline, but it is not required to choose someone from an outside discipline. The chair of the committee will be the student’s Public Administration/Political Science advisor. The committee will evaluate the written exam and administer the oral exam.
When the student is ready is to schedule the comprehensive exam, the student should contact his/her advisor to work out scheduling details. This should occur no later than 30 days prior to your preferred date for the written exam.
Structure of the Exam
The take-home written exam will consist of three to four essay questions about the student’s coursework. Members of the committee may submit individual questions, or committee members may collaborate to create questions. During the written exam, students can consult course readings, and assignments, as long as all resources are properly cited. The questions for the written exam will be emailed to the student on the day of the exam.
The oral exam will be conducted after committee members have had an opportunity to review the written exam, usually within two weeks of exam submission. During the oral exam, committee members will ask the student to explain or elaborate upon their answers from the written exam. Additional questions that were not on the written exam may be included in the oral exam. Students can take the oral exam in person or by phone. The oral exam will last approximately one hour.
Preparing for the Exam
Past students have prepared for the comprehensive exam by reviewing assignments, readings, final exams, and research projects from their Public Administration/Political Science coursework.
Thesis students must complete 30 semester credit hours of graduate course work consisting of the following:
- Minimum eighteen semester credit hours of graduate course work in Political Science, including PS 5307.
- Thesis courses, PS 6301 -6302.
An additional six semester credit hours of course work from the following:
- HIST 5308 Seminar in European History
- HIST 5310 Seminar in American History
- GBA 5308 Problems in Business Administration
- or other non-Political Science courses from related disciplines as advised by major advisor.
Master of Arts in Political Science, thesis option
Year 1
Semester I, Fall
Semester II, Spring
PS 5307
3 credit hours
PS 5317
3 credit hours
PS Elective
3 credit hours
PS Elective
3 credit hours
–
–
HIST 5308, 5310, or GBA 5308
3 credit hours
Total: 6 sch
Total: 9 sch
Summer I
–
PS 5313
3 credit hours
–
–
Total: 3 sch
–
Year 2
Semester I, Fall
Semester II, Spring
PS 5311
3 credit hours
PS 6302 Thesis
3 credit hours
PS 6301 Thesis
3 credit hours
HIST 5308, 5310, or GBA 5308
3 credit hours
Total: 6 sch
Total: 6 sch
NOTE: There are proposed changes to this program, including a reduction in required program hours (from 36 to 30). Updates will be posted upon approval.
Master of Arts in Political Science, non-thesis option
Year 1
Semester I, Fall
Semester II, Spring
PS 5307
3 credit hours
PS 5317
3 credit hours
PS Elective
3 credit hours
PS Elective
3 credit hours
Elective in related discipline
3 credit hours
Elective in related discipline
3 credit hours
Total: 9 sch
Total: 9 sch
Summer I
Summer II
PS 5313
3 credit hours
Elective in related discipline
3 credit hours
Total: 3 sch
Total: 3 sch
Year 2
Semester I, Fall
Semester II, Spring
PS 5311
3 credit hours
PS Elective or related discipline
3 credit hours
Elective in related discipline
3 credit hours
PS Elective or related discipline
3 credit hours
–
–
Comprehensive Exam
–
Total: 6 sch
Total: 6 sch
