Political Science (M.A.)

Since 1948, the Graduate Program of the Department of Political Science has been educating students, scholars and civic leaders in all domains of political life. Encompassing a range of research fields, our graduate program allows students to explore the nature and distribution of political power and resources at the individual and community levels, as well as federal, state and local governments, electoral politics, and in the international arena.

The Department of Political Science at UNH offers the Master of Arts in Political Science. The program provides advanced study in international relations and American and comparative politics. The program serves students interested in working in government, public service, nonprofit management, electoral politics, education and research, and in preparing for Ph.D. programs. It gives students the flexibility to tailor their coursework to individual interests within a curriculum that ensures a strong foundation in international and domestic politics, research methods, and analysis. Faculty engage in teaching and research activities encompassing the fields of international and comparative politics, American politics, and political thought.

The program is offered to full- and part-time students.

Degree Requirements

Students may choose between the Thesis option and Non-Thesis option.  Both options require a minimum of 35 credits and 10 courses of at least 3 credits each.

M.A. with Thesis Option

Master's degree students must complete a minimum of 35 credits and 10 courses of at least 3 credits each for the degree: ten courses, two of which may be thesis credits (POLT #899 Master's Thesis). Of the ten courses, two are required seminars: Pro Seminar (POLT 800 Political Science Pro-Seminar) and an introductory statistical analysis course (e.g.,  PPOL 908), and are to be taken during the student's first year.

Students are encouraged to work with the MA program director to identify relevant courses of interest across the College of Liberal Arts graduate offerings.  The MA program director must provide course approval for courses offered outside the department. Successful completion and defense of a 8-credit master's thesis is required.

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To be taken during the student's first year

M.A. Non-Thesis Option

Master's degree students must complete ten courses totaling a minimum of 35 credits and 10 courses of at least 3 credits each for the degree. Of the ten courses, two are required: Pro Seminar (POLT 800 Political Science Pro-Seminar) and an introductory statistical analysis course (e.g., PPOL 908), and are to be taken during the student's first year. In their final semester, students will enroll in a capstone course, and may choose from POLT 995 Capstone Research Project  or POLT 990 Internship Capstone. Students should consult with their faculty mentors to select the capstone experience that will best align with their long-term professional goals.

Students are encouraged to work with the MA program director to identify relevant courses of interest across the College of Liberal Arts graduate offerings. The MA program director must provide course approval for elective courses offered outside the department.

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To be taken during the student's first year

This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.

General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.

Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.

• Building advanced skills in analyzing, processing, and communicating complex information, using qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Effectively and persuasively presenting analysis and findings in written, oral, and graphical form.
• Facilitating student exploration of thematic, regional, and methodological areas of specialization and interest. Areas of strength include the study of public opinion, international politics and international relations, political economy, environmental politics, Latin American politics, Middle Eastern politics, Asian politics, and American politics.

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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

• Fall: Feb. 15 (for funding); April 1 (recommended US; final international); Aug. 7 (final)
• Spring: Jan. 1
• Summer: Feb. 15 (for funding); May 7 (final)
• Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: ME VT

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Test Scores: GRE Required

GRE required. However, if you are currently a UNH undergraduate Political Science major, and applying for Accelerated Master’s admission, then please email grad.school@unh.edu to request a waiver of the GRE requirement. Your email must include your student ID number. Request official test scores to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service. Test scores more than five years old are not acceptable. Student copies and photo copies of scores are not considered official. Our CEEB code is 3918.

For general information about test scores required for admission into our programs please visit our Test Scores webpage.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.