Political Science (M.A.)
M.A. Political Science
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Political Science provides an exceptional graduate experience to students interested in pursuing careers in state and federal government, post-secondary teaching, non-governmental organizations, international businesses, or the further pursuit of a Juris Doctor or Ph.D. program. With a large full-time faculty, students have the opportunity for a close intellectual exchange with professors and close mentoring. The program curriculum provides exposure to a variety of courses in various subfields of political science, including American politics, international relations, political theory, and comparative politics.
Course Work
The program courses are organized into four major fields: American politics, comparative politics, political theory and international relations. Students choose either the thesis track or the non-thesis track. Both thesis and non-thesis students may take nine hours of their program hours in a related field with the approval of the graduate director.
Students selecting the thesis option must complete a minimum of 33 hours of political science course work, including three required hours, six thesis hours and a thesis defense.
Non-thesis option students must successfully complete a minimum of 36 hours, including three required hours and a written examination that covers course work in the major field and takes place near the completion of the degree.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.A. | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Location San Marcos |
Degree M.A. | Hours 33 | Thesis Option Thesis | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
Current master’s students have been successful in pursuing doctoral education, teaching careers or professional careers ranging from federal, state and local government to nonprofit organizations.
Program Mission
As a liberal arts program, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science is dedicated to developing analytical skills and promoting critical thinking. Students are encouraged to reflect not simply on career goals, but also on what type of person they wish to become and on the rights and duties of citizens. The program encourages students to actively employ their analytical skills by engaging in internships with various federal, state, local or nonprofit community agencies.
Career Options
Our graduates are well prepared to pursue careers in a variety of fields, including teaching postsecondary social studies and American government, working in local and federal government institutions in Austin, San Antonio and Washington, DC, the nongovernmental sector, national and international business, as well as to continue their graduate studies in Law School or Ph.D. institutions.
Program Faculty
The 16 full-time graduate faculty members provide students with a wide range of expertise in areas such as the American founding and political thought, human rights policy, American foreign policy and grand strategy, authoritarianism and international law, African politics, religion and politics, the American presidency, international political economy, nuclear weapons and international security, Texas politics, and constitutional theory among others. Faculty members’ research has been published in top-tier journals including American Political Science Review, Political Science Quarterly, International Journal of Human Rights, and Foreign Affairs, as well as top presses such as Cambridge University Press, Johns Hopkins University Press and Oxford University Press.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
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For Entry Prior to Summer 2026
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard June 15 (*Flexible) June 1 Spring October 15 (*Flexible) October 1 Summer I April 15 (*Flexible) March 15 Summer II June 1 (*Flexible) No Admission *This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Effective for Summer 2026 Entry and Beyond
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard August 1 June 1 Spring - Priority September 1 September 1 Spring - Standard November 1 October 1 Summer I - Priority January 1 January 1 Summer I - Standard May 1 March 15 Summer II - Priority January 1 No Admission Summer II - Standard June 1 No Admission
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- Baccalaureate degree in political science from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
- A 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work, plus any completed graduate courses.*
- Background course work: political science undergraduate minor or at least nine hours of upper-level course work in political science or related field.*
*Admission may be available for applicants who do not meet the GPA and/or background course work requirements. See the Conditional Admission section below for details.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE is not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose (minimum 500 words)
- three letters of recommendation
- writing sample (minimum five pages, double-spaced) from a political science course or social science/humanities course
Review important information about documents.
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Conditional Admission
If your do not meet the GPA and/or background course work requirements, please submit the following items in order to be considered for conditional admission*:
- official GRE (general test only) required with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning section
*Conditional admission is not available to applicants who require "F" or "J" visas.