Master of Arts in Political Science

Admission to Program

The Political Science Department recommends that applicants have an undergraduate degree in political science. However, it also accepts applicants from related majors or from those who otherwise demonstrate preparation for graduate-level studies in political science.

The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.25. Applicants with lower GPAs may be considered if, for instance, their grades showed marked improvement throughout their studies, their grades in their major were significantly higher than their cumulative GPA, their application statement or letters of reference provide a compelling explanation for making an exception and/or if students have received high scores on both the math and verbal portions of the GRE. The GRE is not required for application.

All applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation evaluating their ability, promise, and past performance. Letters should be from university faculty. Applicants with GPAs lower than 3.25 should ask their recommenders to provide some account of this.

All foreign students whose native language is not English are required to meet all SF State requirements, including a score that meets University requirements on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See the University requirements for specific scores.

Applications are to be received by April 1st  for the fall semester, and November 1st for the spring semester.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

The University has a requirement for written English proficiency that is to be assessed at two different levels.

Level One (preadmission/admission)

A GRE score that demonstrates proficiency in writing (i.e., a score of 4.0 or better). Students who do not meet this requirement must take an appropriate graduate-level writing course in their first year at SF State.

Level Two

Satisfactory completion of Culminating Experience requirements  - either a Comprehensive Exam in two fields or M.A. thesis. Students who elect to take the Comprehensive Exam must enroll in PLSI 896EXM. Students who elect to do the thesis must take PLSI 898.

Advancement to Candidacy

Candidates for the M.A. degree must have classified status; have successfully completed PLSI 700, PLSI 740, PLSI 760, and PLSI 780; maintained an overall grade point average of 3.0; and have the approval of the graduate coordinator.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Students demonstrate a systematic comprehension of the discipline of political science; and acquire a specialized knowledge of three sub-fields of political science (political theory, American politics, comparative politics) in which they demonstrate not only familiarity and expertise with key concepts, arguments, and theorists, but an ability to contribute meaningfully through their written work to one or more subjects of study.
  2. Students demonstrate advanced training in research, writing, and presentation, including the ability to think critically, construct logical arguments, collect and analyze relevant evidence, formulate reasoned conclusions, and situate themselves as critical subjects in their work.
  3. Students demonstrate a knowledge of the professional aspects of the field through one or more of the following experiences: teaching in political science, research assistantships; and classroom, conference, or workshop presentations.

Political Science (M.A.) — 30 units

Core Requirements (3 units)

PLSI 700Political Science: Theory and Methods 13
1

PLSI 700 is a required course that all incoming students must take in their first year of the program. Students who do not pass it must take it in their second year in order to be eligible to register for further classes. Students may only attempt the course twice.

Political Science Subfield Seminars (6 units)

Select two:

PLSI 740Seminar in American Politics3
PLSI 760Seminar in Comparative Politics3
PLSI 780Seminar in Political Theory3

Electives (15 units)

Coursework of choice in area of interest in PLSI and/or partner departments. Per CSU rules, 6 units must be graduate “stand alone” OR paired courses. The remaining 9 units may be upper-division undergraduate, paired, or graduate stand-alone.

Within the above parameters, Electives may be fulfilled with:

  • Additional courses from the PLSI subfield seminar area not used to fulfill that requirement.
  • Any PLSI-prefixed course that is upper-division, paired, or graduate level.
  • Graduate and paired courses outside the Political Science department closely related to political science, from approved partner department course list or with prior approval by the graduate coordinator.
  • Only 3 units of PLSI 899 Independent Study and 3 units of PLSI 708, College Teaching of Political Science may be applied to Electives.
  • For students who do not have a Political Science BA and/or are seeking more writing instruction in political science, we strongly recommend PLSI 302GW. 

Culminating Experience (6 units)

PLSI 891Culminating Experience Design and Prep3
Select One:3
PLSI 892
Supervised Field Internship in Political Science
PLSI 896EXM
& PLSI 896
Culminating Experience Examination
and Preparation for Written Comprehensive Examination
PLSI 898
Master's Thesis

Note: Students who want to enroll in a course of independent study (PLSI 899) must have a GPA of at least 3.25.