College of Sciences and Humanities
Department of Political Science
www.kent.edu/polisci

About This Program

The Master of Arts in Political Science offers a deeper understanding of the field, with opportunities for specialized study and research. With experienced faculty and a supportive community of scholars, you will be prepared for a variety of career paths, including teaching, research and public service. Read more...

Contact Information

• Ryan Claassen | rclaasse@kent.edu |
  330-672-2060

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae with cover letter
• Goal statement
• Writing sample
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: February 15
    All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students intending to pursue a Ph.D. degree are advised to choose the thesis option

American Politics and Policy Concentration Requirements

Conflict Analysis and Management Concentration Requirements

Transnational and Comparative Politics Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• A minimum 30 credit hours is required for graduation.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real world issues and problems.
2. Attain research and methodological skills that will further their research and make them attractive to future employers.
3. Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners and citizens.

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Political Science focuses broadly on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, human rights, development and conflict resolution. Students delve into the scholarship on these dynamics (among others) in an interdisciplinary and theoretically sophisticated way, thinking about how the political process and government policy-making affect the lives of citizens, and how citizens influence those processes.

The Political Science major comprises the following concentrations:

• American Politics and Policy
• Conflict Analysis and Management
• Transnational and Comparative Politics