Graduate Program - Degrees Offered
The Department of Political Science offers programs of study leading to a Master of Arts degree (M.A.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
Work leading to the Master of Arts degree is broad and flexible enough to serve two functions. First, it can serve as a stepping stone toward candidacy for the doctoral degree. Second, the program at this level is flexible enough to provide political knowledge and policy analysis skills that can prepare students for positions in public service-whether administrative or elected positions. Given the growth of multinational corporations, political knowledge as well as language skills at the master's level are vital in certain positions in the private sector, as well. Options include either a thesis or non-thesis (terminal) degree program as well as either a generalist M.A. (chosen by most students) or an emphasis in public policy. The Doctor of Philosophy degree is primarily a research degree and prepares students for careers in basic research combined with college or university teaching, and in some cases, research with private or quasi-public research institutes or foundations.
Recognizing that most doctoral candidates will teach as well as do basic research, the Department strives to provide the opportunity for students to teach in the classroom, serving as Teaching Assistants to Professors teaching introductory and advanced courses, and for many doctoral candidates, as instructors teaching independent sections. Missouri doctoral graduates are thoroughly experienced and prepared to research and teach in several areas as well as to do research in a particular chosen specialty.
Graduate students master the literature, concepts and research tools of their specialty. Professionalism among graduate students is enhanced through the Department's ongoing seminar program, involvement in faculty research, attending and delivering papers at conferences, and preparing papers for publication. A limited number of applicants are admitted to our graduate program, resulting in small classes and seminars, and making faculty readily available for personal contact, substantive course consultation and close research guidance, and collaborative research projects.
Mizzou Political Science maintains a low graduate student to faculty ratio, a commitment to seeing all applicants perform as well as possible, and a high rate of retention and graduation. Most Missouri graduate students complete requirements for the master's degree within two years (three or four semesters) and most finish the doctoral degree within five years.
Political Science master's students must complete all requirements for the M.A. within four years from the first semester of the program. Doctoral students must pass the comprehensive examination within five years of the first semester of the program and successfully defend the doctoral dissertation within five years of the semester of the comprehensive examination. To maintain a reasonable rate of progress toward the degree, students are expected to meet all Department and Graduate School requirements for performance and maintain a GPA above the minimum requirement.