M.A. Political Science Graduate Program Admission

The M.A. program in Political Science program has competitive admissions. We seek students with a strong undergraduate record in their major and an interest and commitment in the study of political science. We do not require an undergraduate degree in political science. Our students must have:

Domestic Students

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of personal objectives in essay form
• If you are requesting funding, a one-page letter indicating the type of funding and why the Department should support you

International Students

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of personal objectives in essay form
• A general evaluation of international transcripts is required; FAU will do the evaluation (please allow for at least 30 days) or it must be done by a NACES member
• TOEFL score of 500 or IBT of 61; IELTS 6.0; Duolingo 90
• If you are requesting funding, a one-page letter indicating the type of funding and why the department should support you

To apply:

1. Complete the online application: https://gradcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/
   
   

• Official Transcripts: must be sent from the Registrar of each college you have attended.
  • Transcripts from U.S. institutions or English-speaking Canadian institutions should be sent directly to the centralized application systems (CAS). For more information on how to send transcripts, please visit the Help Center.

Please Note : Applicants who previously attended FAU do not need to send their FAU transcripts.

• Test Scores: GRE is optional. If you choose to submit GRE, you will self-report scores into the Centralized Application System (CAS), but you will need to request your official scores be sent to FAU directly. The FAU school code is below.
  • FAU's school code for the GRE is 5229

• Supplemental Information will be uploaded directly to the centralized application system.

Once your application has been submitted, you can check your application status online to ensure transcripts and test scores have been received.

NOTE: Application status will say incomplete until an admission decision has been made.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Students:
Fall: April 15
Spring: October 15

International Students:
Fall: March 1
Spring: August 1

All documentation must be submitted by the deadline to be considered.

M.A. in Political Science Program Overview

The M.A. in Political Science provides advanced study in the areas of American politics, comparative politics and international relations. Our program is designed for small classes with regular faculty and student interaction. The program is selective--each year we review many applications, and admit only those students who show a strong commitment to academic work and the ability to excel in a graduate program. As a smaller program, we are focused on our students and their success. Our M.A. program provides a strong foundation for the study of political science with faculty and classes that expose students to the breath of the discipline. Our students receive training in several fields of study, but all students study American Politics, Comparative Politics and Political Methodology. Our Department seeks to provide students with critical insight, comprehensive knowledge of their fields and methodological training.

The Department's faculty have received national and international recognition for its scholarship. Faculty integrate their research into their teaching and which allows our students the opportunity to work closely on significant projects and publications. 

Over the years, the Department has trained and graduated students who have gone on to doctoral programs, law school and work in government and non-governmental organziations.  The Department is also a federated member of the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR).

If you have any questions regarding the program, reach out to the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Kim. 

Undergraduate Program

B.A. and Minor in Political Science Degree Requirements (current degree requirements and previous degree requirements)

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree and minor in political science can change from year-to-year (catalog-to-catalog). For a list of previous catalogs, click here. Students are required to complete the major and, if applicable, minor under the year of the catalog in which they entered the University. If a student is unsure which catalog applies to them, they should consult the College's Student Academic Services Division for more assistance. For information concerning the civics literacy requirement, click here. 

For more information, contact: Department of Political Science (561-297-3210) Social Science Building, Room 392. 

Student Learning Outcome

Why do Honors?

The Department of Political Science has an Honors Thesis Program to provide undergraduate students with research experience and skills that they will need in their future careers. The Honors Program provides students with:

• Individual attention
• Mentoring by multiple faculty for success at FAU and after graduation
• One-on-one work to hone research and writing expertise
• Development of skills used in graduate school, law school, government work and employment
• Environment that enriching writing and presentation skills

Admission to the Honors Program

A student must be a political science major and meet the following requirements for admission to the honors program:

1. Students may apply after completing a minimum of 9 credit hours in political science. 

2. At least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average.

3  At least a 3.6 grade point average in political science courses.

4. Have at least two academic semesters left to complete the program requirements.

To apply for the Honors Program, a student must submit the following:

1. A statement of purpose regarding the thesis.

2. A sponsor letter from a political science faculty member stating that she or he will supervise the student’s honors research or a completed Honors Application Form. 

3. An unofficial transcript. 

Submit application to the Honors Director. After grades are processed, applications will be reviewed and admitted applicants will be contacted. No more than 10% of our majors will ever be admitted to the program.

Program Standards

1. Students must maintain a cumulative 3.2 GPA throughout the Honors Program to progress.

2. If less than a B is earned in any political science course or the student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.2, the student will be reviewed for dismissal from the Honors Program. The honors committee will review such cases and make a final decision regarding the student’s continuance.

3. Students admitted to the Honors Program must maintain high academic and ethical standards, attend classes, and meet honors level expectations.

4. The minimum amount of time necessary to complete the honors program is one year.

Criteria for Successful Completion

In addition to maintaining the Honors Program standards listed above, students must:

1. Complete the following course requirements:

1)   An undergraduate methods course with an honors compact or a graduate level methods course (must have already taken undergraduate methods to choose this option).

 2)  An upper-level undergraduate course or graduate level course relevant to thesis project.

2. Complete the capstone project.

1)  The project will take the form of a senior thesis (at least twenty-five pages doubled-spaced) investigation of a significant research question.

2) The project must be overseen by a faculty member in the Department of Political Science through Directed Independent Study (DIS) classes. Students should enroll in a minimum of 3 DIS credit hours and a maximum of 9 DIS credit hours.

3) Students must present their project at a Department workshop, University undergraduate research symposium or a major political science conference (such as the annual meeting of the Florida Political Science Association).

4)  Students must submit their project for review and approval by the Honors Program committee. Thesis should be submitted at least one month prior to desired graduation date.

5)  If a student does not maintain the necessary standards, credits earned during honors may  be applied for credit in the major.

• Student research profiles

M.A. in Political Science Graduate Program Requirements

The Department of Political Science offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree which requires 30 graduate credits. Students may choose from a non-thesis or thesis option to meet the requirements of the degree. The non-thesis option is designed for students who wish to specialize in an area of study by completing two seminars instead of a thesis. Those who prefer the thesis option may do so with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. The thesis option is designed to prepare graduates for doctoral or professional programs. All students are admitted as non-thesis students. After the completion of at least 9 but not more than 15 graduate credits, a student may apply for admission to the thesis option. The application is submitted to the graduate director. If the Graduate Committee grants thesis-option status, the student must work with the graduate director to create a thesis committee.

* POS 6736 must be completed the first semester of enrollment or the first semester the course is offered after admission to the graduate program.

** With the approval of the graduate director, a student may take a maximum of 6 credits outside the Department of Political Science.

Advising and degree requirements

All political science majors and minors are encouraged to seek advising on degree requirements. Advising focuses on political science major and minor requirements, course offerings and schedules. Students are required to complete the political science major or minor under the year of the catalog in which they entered the University. 

For more information, contact Dr. Rebecca LeMoine at  rlemoine@fau.edu.

Student Learning Outcome

Why Major in Political Science?

The Department of Political Science offers a number undergraduate programs including a baccalaureate (B.A.), minor and honors program. Why should you major in political science? These videos highlight several interesting and rewarding career opportunities for majors in political science. 

Political science prepares you for a career in the legal profession.

Political science prepares you for a career in government.

Political science prepares you for a career in non-profits and advocacy work.

Political science prepares you for an international career.