{"id":7603,"date":"2021-11-10T14:43:58","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T20:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/webid2-test-lsweb\/?post_type=program&#038;p=680"},"modified":"2026-03-09T10:04:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:04:16","slug":"political-science-ma","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/academics\/political-science-ma\/","title":{"rendered":"Political Science, MA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div id=\"primary\" class=\"content-area\">\n\t<div id=\"main\" class=\"site-main\">\n\t\t\n\n<section id=\"program-intro\" class=\"uwm-u-pt-80 uwm-u-pb-40\">\n    <div class=\"uwm-l-container--base\">\n        \n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div id=\"intro-main\" class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<header class=\"page-header\">\n    <h1 class=\"entry-title heading-separator\">\n        Political Science, MA                    <div class=\"program-degree size-h3 uwm-u-mt-20\">MA<\/div>\n            <\/h1>\n<\/header>\n  \n\n\n\n\n<style>\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist tr:nth-child(even) {\n \t\t\t background-color: #f2f2f2\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_footnotes td, .sc_footnotes th, .sc_footnotes table {  border-left: none;\n  border-right: none; padding: 8px;}\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist {\n\t\t\t\tborder-collapse: collapse;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist td, .sc_courselist th {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 1px solid #ddd;\n\t\t\t\tpadding: 8px;\n        min-width: 40px;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.hourscol{\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: right;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\t\n\t\t\t.hidden.noscript{\n\t\t\t\tdisplay: none;\n\t\t\t}\t\n\t\n\t.notinpdf{\n\t\tdisplay:none;\n\t}\n\t\t\t.areaheader, .symcol {\n\t\t\t\tfont-weight: bold;\n\t\t\t}\n\t.HU { background-color: #ffce9c; }\n\t\t\t.SS { background-color: #f0e68c; }\n\t\t\t.NS { background-color: #ceefbd; }\n\t\t\t.OWCB { background-color: #ccccff; }\n\t\t\t.QLB { background-color: #ccffff; }\n\t\n\tdl {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: max-content auto;\n}\n\ndt {\n  grid-column-start: 1;\n}\n\ndd {\n  grid-column-start: 2;\n}\n<\/style>\n<text>\n  \n<div class=\"SCXW39802707 BCX4\">\n<div class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW39802707 BCX4\">\n<\/div>\n <div class=\"SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <div class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <p class=\"Paragraph SCXW39802707 BCX4\"><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">51ÁÔÆæ offers one of the most rigorous political science MA programs in the<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">country<\/span><span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">.\u202fThe program trains applied social scientists for careers that demand deep understanding of politics and the ability to conduct independent research. Students in the MA program learn to critically evaluate and apply leading theories in the scientific study of politics. Our courses on research<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">methodology<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">teach students to develop<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">cutting-edge<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">research designs that can be used to answer key questions in the social sciences. Students in the MA program gain broad exposure to the primary subfields of political science (comparative politics, American politics, international relations, and political theory), while also having the opportunity to focus on an area of interest. Our MA program is distinguished by four factors:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"ListContainerWrapper SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <ul> <li class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <p class=\"Paragraph SCXW39802707 BCX4\"><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\">A low student to faculty ratio<\/span><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\">\u202f(most graduate seminars have fewer than 10 students) allows for close collaboration with faculty.<\/span><\/p> <\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/div> <div class=\"SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <div class=\"ListContainerWrapper SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <ul> <li class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <p class=\"Paragraph SCXW39802707 BCX4\"><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\">Methodological rigor with practical applications<\/span><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\">. Our MA students receive rigorous training in the latest quantitative methodologies and data science techniques.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p> <\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <div class=\"ListContainerWrapper SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <ul> <li class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <p class=\"Paragraph SCXW39802707 BCX4\"><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\">Broad exposure<\/span><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\">\u202fto different analytic approaches and intellectual traditions within the discipline of political science.<\/span><\/p> <\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <div class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <p class=\"Paragraph SCXW39802707 BCX4\"><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">The MA program prepares students for success in fields that require advanced research, writing, and communication skills. Many of our students use the MA as a springboard into top PhD programs. Others<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">leverage<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">the MA for careers in government service, politics, NGOs, or business. The program also offers opportunities for mid-career professionals\u2014in education, politics, government service\u2014to expand their training and qualifications.\u202fThe department accommodates the master\u2019s student who attends part-time by scheduling sufficient graduate-level courses in the late afternoons and evenings to enable the student to earn a master\u2019s degree through part-time attendance.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW39802707 BCX4\"> <p class=\"Paragraph SCXW39802707 BCX4\"><span class=\"BCX4 SCXW39802707 TextRun\" data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">Students in the program may choose to pursue a general<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">Master\u2019s Degree<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">or<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">to concentrate<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">in<\/span> <span class=\"BCX4 NormalTextRun SCXW39802707\">one of our specialized tracks: Political Data Analysis or International Affairs.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>  \n<div class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW39802707 BCX4\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n  \n\n<\/text>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"size-p-md uwm-c-link--arrow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/students\/graduate\/\"><strong>Overview of Our Graduate Program<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"uwm-c-link--arrow size-p-md\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/students\/graduate\/ma-program\/\"><strong>Overview of Our Master&#8217;s Program<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"uwm-l-row uwm-u-mt-50\">\n                    <div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n                <h2 class=\"size-h6 uwm-u-my-10 uwm-u-pt-10 uwm-u-border--top\">Program Type<\/h2>\n                <p class=\"size-h4 uwm-u-mt-0\">\n                    <strong>Master&#8217;s<\/strong>\n                <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        \n                    <div class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-offset--2\">\n                <h2 class=\"size-h6 uwm-u-my-10 uwm-u-pt-10 uwm-u-border--top\">Program Format<\/h2>\n                <p class=\"size-h4 uwm-u-mt-0\">\n                    <strong>On Campus<\/strong>\n                <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"intro-sidebar\" class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--4 uwm-l-offset--1\">\n        <div class=\"uwm-mini-rfi uwm-p-card uwm-p-card--gold uwm-p-card--shadow\">\n            <div class=\"uwm-p-card--body\">\n                <div class=\"uwm-p-card--content\">\n                    <div class=\"uwm-p-card--title\">Request Information<\/div>\n                    <div id='form_47e36b1a-64dd-41ea-a6b5-b9deba75dca3'>Loading&#8230;<\/div>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n<div class=\"uwm-u-flex uwm-u-flex--wrap uwm-u-flex--left uwm-u-mt-40\">\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--gold uwm-u-mr-20 uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"..\/..\/students\/graduate\/ma-program\/how-to-apply-to-the-ma-program\/\" rel=\"\">How to Apply<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--gold uwm-u-mr-20 uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/cost-aid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cost<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<script async='async' src='https:\/\/admissions.uwm.edu\/register\/?id=47e36b1a-64dd-41ea-a6b5-b9deba75dca3&amp;output=embed&amp;div=form_47e36b1a-64dd-41ea-a6b5-b9deba75dca3'>\/**\/<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\t    <section id=\"program-highlights\" class=\"uwm-u-py-80 uwm-bg-gray-dark\">\n        <div class=\"uwm-l-container--base\">\n        \n\n<div id=\"program-highlights-content-image\" class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a1\">Why Join Our Community of Scholars?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">World-Renowned Faculty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our faculty members cover every region of the globe and every subfield in political science and are leading researchers in their fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strong Quantitative Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students are trained in a mix of research methodologies, with an emphasis on a broad range of quantitative methods prominent in political science. Our students are well-prepared for a number of career opportunities post-graduation, including data science, policy analysis, and academia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mentorship-and-professional-socialization\">Mentorship and Professional Socialization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our faculty members are active scholars and researchers who frequently coauthor with students on papers and participate in numerous events and colloquia both within the department and nationally\/internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strong Placement Record<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>New PhDs are routinely placed in tenure-track positions or in high-level analyst positions, while our MA graduates go on to work in government, non-profits, national security, and data science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Geographically Diverse Student Population<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our students hail from across the U.S. and around the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We hope you will join us for your graduate studies!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--6 uwm-l-offset--1\">    <figure class=\"default\">\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" \n                class=\"wp-image-7729\" \n                src=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/186\/2023\/03\/Milwaukee_Feature_750x500_139288202.jpg\" \n                alt=\"Milwaukee skyline\" \n srcset=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/186\/2023\/03\/Milwaukee_Feature_750x500_139288202.jpg 750w, https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/186\/2023\/03\/Milwaukee_Feature_750x500_139288202-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\n                    <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<section id=\"program-details\" class=\"uwm-u-py-80\">\n    <div class=\"uwm-l-container--base\">\n        \n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div id=\"details-main\" class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-tabs\" data-tabs-prefix-class=\"uwm-p-tabs\"><ul class=\"uwm-p-tablist\" data-hx=\"h2\"><li class=\"uwm-p-tablist--item\"><a href=\"#tab-political-science-masters-admissions\" class=\"uwm-p-tablist--link\">Admissions<\/a><\/li><li class=\"uwm-p-tablist--item\"><a href=\"#tab-political-science-masters-academic-requirements\" class=\"uwm-p-tablist--link\">Academic Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class=\"uwm-p-tablist--item\"><a href=\"#tab-political-science-masters-other-requirements\" class=\"uwm-p-tablist--link\">Other Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class=\"uwm-p-tablist--item\"><a href=\"#tab-political-science-masters-financial-support\" class=\"uwm-p-tablist--link\">Financial Support<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"uwm-p-tabcontent\">\n<div id=\"tab-political-science-masters-admissions\" class=\"uwm-p-tabcontent--pane\"><style>\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist tr:nth-child(even) {\n \t\t\t background-color: #f2f2f2\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_footnotes td, .sc_footnotes th, .sc_footnotes table {  border-left: none;\n  border-right: none; padding: 8px;}\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist {\n\t\t\t\tborder-collapse: collapse;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist td, .sc_courselist th {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 1px solid #ddd;\n\t\t\t\tpadding: 8px;\n        min-width: 40px;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.hourscol{\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: right;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\t\n\t\t\t.hidden.noscript{\n\t\t\t\tdisplay: none;\n\t\t\t}\t\n\t\n\t.notinpdf{\n\t\tdisplay:none;\n\t}\n\t\t\t.areaheader, .symcol {\n\t\t\t\tfont-weight: bold;\n\t\t\t}\n\t.HU { background-color: #ffce9c; }\n\t\t\t.SS { background-color: #f0e68c; }\n\t\t\t.NS { background-color: #ceefbd; }\n\t\t\t.OWCB { background-color: #ccccff; }\n\t\t\t.QLB { background-color: #ccffff; }\n\t\n\tdl {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: max-content auto;\n}\n\ndt {\n  grid-column-start: 1;\n}\n\ndd {\n  grid-column-start: 2;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<h2>Admission Requirements\u00a0<\/h2>\n <h3>Application Deadlines<\/h3> <p>Application deadlines vary by program, please review the <a href=\"http:\/\/uwm.edu\/graduateschool\/program-deadlines\/\" target=\"_blank\">application deadline chart<\/a> for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/onestop\/dates-and-deadlines\/\" target=\"_blank\">One Stop calendars<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Admission<\/h3> <p>An applicant must meet\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/uwm.edu\/graduateschool\/admission\/\" target=\"_blank\">Graduate School requirements<\/a>\u00a0plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:<\/p> <ol> \t<li>Undergraduate major or substantial work in the field of political science.<\/li> \t<li>Undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale).<\/li> \t<li>Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with applicant\u2019s scholastic ability and achievements.<\/li> \t<li> \t<p>Personal statement of research interests and how 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Political Science Department will help you meet your career and educational goals.<\/p> \t<\/li> <\/ol> <p>Submission of GRE scores (official or unofficial) is encouraged, but not required.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"tab-political-science-masters-academic-requirements\" class=\"uwm-p-tabcontent--pane\"><style>\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist tr:nth-child(even) {\n \t\t\t background-color: #f2f2f2\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_footnotes td, .sc_footnotes th, .sc_footnotes table {  border-left: none;\n  border-right: none; padding: 8px;}\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist {\n\t\t\t\tborder-collapse: collapse;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist td, .sc_courselist th {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 1px solid #ddd;\n\t\t\t\tpadding: 8px;\n        min-width: 40px;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.hourscol{\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: right;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\t\n\t\t\t.hidden.noscript{\n\t\t\t\tdisplay: none;\n\t\t\t}\t\n\t\n\t.notinpdf{\n\t\tdisplay:none;\n\t}\n\t\t\t.areaheader, .symcol {\n\t\t\t\tfont-weight: bold;\n\t\t\t}\n\t.HU { background-color: #ffce9c; }\n\t\t\t.SS { background-color: #f0e68c; }\n\t\t\t.NS { background-color: #ceefbd; }\n\t\t\t.OWCB { background-color: #ccccff; }\n\t\t\t.QLB { background-color: #ccffff; }\n\t\n\tdl {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: max-content auto;\n}\n\ndt {\n  grid-column-start: 1;\n}\n\ndd {\n  grid-column-start: 2;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<h2>Credits and Courses<\/h2> <p>Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits, all of which must be taken at the 700 level or above.<\/p> <table class=\"sc_courselist\"> <caption class=\"hidden noscript\">Course List<\/caption> <colgroup> <col class=\"codecol\"\/> <col class=\"titlecol\"\/> <col align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"hourscol\"\/> <\/colgroup> <thead> <tr class=\"hidden noscript\"> <th scope=\"col\">Code<\/th> <th scope=\"col\">Title<\/th> <th scope=\"col\" class=\"hourscol\">Credits<\/th> <\/tr> <\/thead> <tbody> <tr class=\"even firstrow\"><td colspan=\"2\">Core Courses on scope and method of political inquiry<\/td><td class=\"hourscol\"><\/td><\/tr> <tr class=\"odd\"><td class=\"codecol\">POL\u00a0SCI\u00a0700<\/td><td>Scope and Methods of Political Science<\/td><td class=\"hourscol\">3<\/td><\/tr> <tr class=\"even\"><td class=\"codecol\">POL\u00a0SCI\u00a0701<\/td><td>Techniques of Political Science Research<\/td><td class=\"hourscol\">3<\/td><\/tr> <tr class=\"odd\"><td class=\"codecol\">POL\u00a0SCI\u00a0702<\/td><td>Advanced Techniques of Political Science Research<\/td><td class=\"hourscol\">3<\/td><\/tr> <tr class=\"even\"><td colspan=\"2\">Other POL SCI courses<\/td><td class=\"hourscol\">15<\/td><\/tr> <tr class=\"odd lastrow\"><td colspan=\"2\">Up to 6 credits in related field<\/td><td class=\"hourscol\">6<\/td><\/tr> <tr class=\"listsum\"><td colspan=\"2\">Total Credits<\/td><td class=\"hourscol\">30<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody> <\/table>  <p>A student must enroll for at least 3 credit hours of POL\u00a0SCI\u00a0990 for final preparation of the Master's Paper.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"tab-political-science-masters-other-requirements\" class=\"uwm-p-tabcontent--pane\"><style>\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist tr:nth-child(even) {\n \t\t\t background-color: #f2f2f2\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_footnotes td, .sc_footnotes th, .sc_footnotes table {  border-left: none;\n  border-right: none; padding: 8px;}\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist {\n\t\t\t\tborder-collapse: collapse;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.sc_courselist td, .sc_courselist th {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 1px solid #ddd;\n\t\t\t\tpadding: 8px;\n        min-width: 40px;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\n\t\t\t.hourscol{\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: right;\n\t\t\t}\t\t\t\n\t\t\t.hidden.noscript{\n\t\t\t\tdisplay: none;\n\t\t\t}\t\n\t\n\t.notinpdf{\n\t\tdisplay:none;\n\t}\n\t\t\t.areaheader, .symcol {\n\t\t\t\tfont-weight: bold;\n\t\t\t}\n\t.HU { background-color: #ffce9c; }\n\t\t\t.SS { background-color: #f0e68c; }\n\t\t\t.NS { background-color: #ceefbd; }\n\t\t\t.OWCB { background-color: #ccccff; }\n\t\t\t.QLB { background-color: #ccffff; }\n\t\n\tdl {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: max-content auto;\n}\n\ndt {\n  grid-column-start: 1;\n}\n\ndd {\n  grid-column-start: 2;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<h2>Additional Requirements<\/h2> <h3>Major Professor as Advisor<\/h3> <p>The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student\u2019s studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. The incoming student is advised by the Director of Graduate Studies; as the student develops specialized interests within the discipline, the student selects a major professor from within that area of specialization.<\/p> <h3>Master\u2019s Paper<\/h3> <p>A formal thesis is not required. However, each student shall prepare and defend orally a paper that demonstrates conceptual ability and research competence in some recognized area (sub-field) of political science. It is expected that the master\u2019s paper will be prepared in a scholarly fashion, normally conforming to the format characteristic of journal articles published in the chosen area of study. A statement setting forth additional guidelines and criteria of evaluation will be made available.<\/p> <p>For full-time students it is expected that the master\u2019s paper will be defended prior to the completion of four semesters (two years) of graduate work. Consequently, the Department encourages students to choose paper topics for graduate seminars that may serve as the basis for the master\u2019s paper. Postponement of the oral defense of the master\u2019s paper beyond four semesters requires the approval of the Graduate Committee.<\/p> <h3>Comprehensive Examination<\/h3> <p>An oral defense of the master\u2019s paper is required. Master\u2019s papers will be defended before a three-person committee composed of one of the student\u2019s advisors and two other faculty members selected by the chair of the Department in consultation with the student and the advisor.<\/p> <p>The committee will be selected at least one full semester prior to anticipated submission of the master\u2019s paper. The student must obtain committee approval of the research topic and methodology immediately following the selection of the committee.<\/p> <h3>Time Limit<\/h3> <p>The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"tab-political-science-masters-financial-support\" class=\"uwm-p-tabcontent--pane\">\n<p>A small number of teaching assistantships are available but priority is given to PhD students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-u-flex uwm-u-flex--wrap uwm-u-flex--left\">\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--outline uwm-u-mr-20 uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"..\/..\/students\/graduate\/financial-support\/\" rel=\"\">Financial Support<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"details-sidebar\" class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--4 uwm-l-offset--1\">\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-buttons--full\">\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--full uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"https:\/\/catalog.uwm.edu\/letters-science\/political-science\/political-science-ma\/\" rel=\"\">Academic Catalog<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-buttons--full\">\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--full uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"https:\/\/catalog.uwm.edu\/course-search\/\" rel=\"\">Schedule of Classes<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"uwm-p-card uwm-p-card--color-head uwm-u-mt-40\">\n        <div class=\"uwm-p-card--title\">Contact<\/div>\n        <div class=\"uwm-p-card--body\">\n            <div class=\"uwm-p-card--content\">\n                <h2 class=\"is-style-size-h5 uwm-u-mb-0 uwm-u-mt-30\">Prospective Graduate Students<\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"is-style-size-p-md uwm-u-mt-10\">Questions regarding the application or the application process should be directed to the 51ÁÔÆæ Graduate School at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:gradschool@uwm.edu\">gradschool@uwm.edu<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"tel:414-229-6569\">414-229-6569<\/a>.<\/p> <h2 class=\"is-style-size-h5 uwm-u-mb-10 uwm-u-mt-30\">Current Graduate Students<\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"is-style-size-p-md uwm-u-mt-10\">Questions about research opportunities, department funding opportunities, or issues specific to the discipline should be directed to\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:reutero@uwm.edu\">John Reuter<\/a>.<\/p>.            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"author":19040,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uwm_academics_program_template":"page","_uwm_academics_program_navigation":[],"uwm_academics_program_card_image_id":0,"uwm_academics_program_banner_image_id":8671,"uwm_academics_program_sort_title":"D-Master's","uwm_academics_program_external_url":"","uwm_academics_program_jump_details_btn":false,"_uwm_academics_program_exclude_from_programs_archive_page":false,"_uwm_academics_program_exclude_from_programs_block":false,"_uwm_academics_program_exclude_from_department_page":false,"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"program_group":[74],"program_tag":[],"program_type":[25],"program_format":[33],"program_department":[],"class_list":["post-7603","program","type-program","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - 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