Program Description

The Master of Science in Political Science degree program offers advanced instruction in social science literature, theories and methodologies as they relate to politics, citizenship, governance and legal and political analysis.

Taught by internationally recognized faculty at The University of Texas at Dallas, the political science master’s program allows students to gain a strong understanding of the field as well as expertise in specific disciplinary areas and subfields, such as:

• Political economy and development
• Comparative politics, courts and institutions
• Constitutional law and human rights
• International relations
• Civil conflict and conflict management
• Campaigns, elections, and legislative processes
• Democratic theory and public choice
• Election law and electoral systems

With expertise in public policy and processes — and with the opportunity to specialize in one of two concentrations (Law and Courts or Legislative Studies) — graduates of the political science master’s program are able to apply political science theories and concepts to many disciplines and career paths while also developing competencies in field-specific analysis, evaluation and research design.

Benefits

The political science master’s program ensures that students gain a broad understanding of their discipline, apply their knowledge and analytical skills to create effective and novel solutions to practical problems and communicate and work effectively in collaborative environments.

Other benefits include:

• World-Class Faculty: The program is led by faculty of the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences who are widely cited experts in their respective fields.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Courses in the political science master’s program will introduce students to new ideas, technologies and competencies while preparing them to succeed in both public and private sectors.
• Facilities: Students have full access to four state-of-the-art computer laboratories housed in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. All computers are network linked and hold full suites of leading survey, qualitative, spatial and statistical analysis software, including Qualtrics, NVivo, ArcGis, ENVI, EViews, R, STATA, and SAS.
• Location: Situated in the greater Dallas region—recently rated by Forbes magazine as the #1 “Best City for Jobs”—UT Dallas provides students with easy access to employers and internship opportunities, not to mention a large and supportive alumni population.

Career Opportunities

The political science master’s program prepares students for public service in government and non-profit organizations and agencies, as well as positions in academe, business and legislative politics, such as:

• Law-related careers
• Policymaking
• Political consulting
• Government and legislative positions
• Journalism

Students in the program develop expertise in empirical approaches to understanding data, which are in high demand among public and private sector employers.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

Please take note of all application deadlines and visit the Apply Now webpage to begin the application process. See the political science program website for additional information.

Applicants to the political science master’s degree program should have:

• A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education.
• A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale.
• Test Scores: GRE not required.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who can judge the candidate’s potential for success in the master’s degree program.
• Admissions Essay: Applicants must submit a one-page essay outlining personal background, education and professional objectives.
• International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the internet-based test. Scores must be less than two years old. See the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding English proficiency requirements for international applicants.

About the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Every new generation inherits a world more complex than that of its predecessors, which prompts a need for new thinking about public policies that impact people’s daily lives. In the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS), we examine the implications of innovation and change for individuals and communities. The social sciences are where the world turns to for answers to the important issues of today and the future such as education and health policy, financial crises, globalization, policing, political polarization, public management, terrorism, and the application of geographical information sciences to study social, economic and environmental issues.

As an undergraduate in EPPS, you will have the opportunity to work with professors who are probing issues that will affect your future. You will develop the vital skills you need to thrive in a rapidly evolving, highly competitive job market. EPPS will prepare you for careers in government, non-profits and the private sector that enable you to make a real difference in the world of today and tomorrow. EPPS is at the forefront of leadership, ethics and innovation in the public and nonprofit sectors. Our students and faculty look forward to new opportunities to study and address the complex and evolving issues of the future. Research informs much of the instruction. The school has four centers of excellence:

• Center for Global Collective Action
• Texas Schools Project
• Institute for Urban Policy Research
• The Negotiations Center

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts: Criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, international political economy, political science, public affairs, public health, public policy, sociology

Master of Science: Applied sociology, criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, international political economy, social data analytics and research

Master of Arts: Political science

Master of Public Affairs: Public affairs

Master of Public Policy: Public policy

Doctor of Philosophy: Criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, political science, public affairs, public policy and political economy

Certificates

EPPS offers the following 15-hour graduate certificates, which generally can be completed in one year of part-time evening classes:

• Economic and Demographic Data Analysis: focusing on the understanding and application of quantitative analysis of demographic and economic data.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): focusing on the application of GIS in government, private sector and scientific areas.
• Geospatial Intelligence: focusing on the application of geospatial ideas and techniques to national security and other intelligence activity.
• Local Government Management: designed to broaden knowledge of important issues and approaches employed by professional local public administrators.
• Nonprofit Management: designed to provide an overview of the nature and context of nonprofit organizations and develop competencies needed by nonprofit managers.
• Program Evaluation: designed to provide students the opportunity to gain competencies in the design and implementation of program evaluations in fields such as education, health care, human services, criminal justice and economic development.
• Remote Sensing: focusing on remote sensing and digital image processing.