IX. Graduate Programs
Political Science
MA Program
The MA program offers students the opportunity to pursue studies in two fields: 1) comparative politics (industrial and third world/international development); and 2) public policy and governance. Graduate students choose one of the following options: MA by course-work; MA by thesis; or MA Guelph-McMaster in Public Policy and Administration
The program’s structure and the diverse interests of its members have resulted in a very broad range of course offerings. Graduates are engaged in a wide range of careers in academia, government and industry.
Application Procedure
Program offices should be consulted for admission deadlines and required documents https://www.uoguelph.ca/polisci/masters/how-apply . Complete application submission instructions can be found at http://www.uoguelph.ca/graduatestudies/apply
Graduate students are admitted each Fall semester.
Admission Requirements
The department requires an Honours BA degree (4 years) in political science (or its equivalent) with at least a 'B+' average for consideration for admission to the program. A methodology course equivalent to The Systematic Study of Politics, POLS*3650, in the Department of Political Science undergraduate program, is necessary for admission to the graduate program. Students not satisfying this requirement may be admitted with the provision that it be satisfied by completing the requisite extra course.
Degree Requirements
MA by Thesis Option
In order to satisfy the degree requirements, the student will complete five courses plus a Pro-Seminar and a thesis, as described below for a total of 2.75 credits.
| One professional development and orientation course: | ||
| POLS*6900 | [0.25] | Pro-Seminar |
| One methodology course: | ||
| POLS*6940 | [0.50] | Qualitative Research Design and Methods |
| or an appropriate equivalent from another department. | ||
| One core course: | ||
| POLS*6000 | [0.50] | Comparative Approaches to Political Science |
| Three departmental courses or, in consultation with the graduate advisor, courses outside the department. | ||
| With the permission of the Graduate Coordinator, complete and successfully defend a thesis of no more than 20,000 words. | ||
MA by Major Research Paper
In order to satisfy the degree requirements, the student will complete six courses plus a Pro-Seminar and two course equivalents of major paper research, as described below, for a total of 4.25 credits.
| One professional development and orientation course: | ||
| POLS*6900 | [0.25] | Pro-Seminar |
| One methodology course: | ||
| POLS*6940 | [0.50] | Qualitative Research Design and Methods |
| or an approved equivalent from another department. | ||
| One core course: | ||
| POLS*6000 | [0.50] | Comparative Approaches to Political Science |
| Four departmental courses or, in consultation with the graduate advisor, courses outside the department. . | ||
| With the permission of the Graduate Coordinator, graduate students complete and successfully defend a Major Research Paper of approximately 10,000 words. | ||
| POLS*6970 | [1.00] | Major Paper |
MA - Guelph-McMaster Collaborative; MA - Public Policy and Administration Option
The collaborative public policy and administration option is an initiative on the part of the Departments of Political Science at the University of Guelph and McMaster University to co-ordinate their involvement in this particular area.
The option successfully melds policy studies and administrative studies into a unique study option in Canada. Students can avail themselves of core courses that may be offered at either institution. Up to 50% of courses can be taken at each university. The option is one year in length. All the courses are grounded within the discipline of political science, while giving attention and regard to the contribution of related disciplines - such as economics, law and sociology.
Graduates enjoy successful careers in the public services of Canada, Ontario and other provinces, as well as local governments, and pursue careers in the private sector as well as the non-profit sector. A number of graduates have pursued PhDs and now teach in universities and colleges.
Course of Study
The Fall and Winter semesters are devoted to completing the course requirements: four core courses and two specialized electives. The Summer semester differs for students who are formally enrolled at Guelph and those formally enrolled at McMaster.
Degree Requirements
In order to satisfy the degree requirements, the student will complete six courses plus a Pro-Seminar and two course equivalents of major paper research as described below for a total of 4.25 credits.
One professional development and orientation course:
| POLS*6900 | [0.25] | Pro-Seminar |
| One methodology course: | |||||||||||
| POLS*6940 | [0.50] | Qualitative Research Design and Methods | |||||||||
| Three core courses: | |||||||||||
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| Two departmental courses offered at the University of Guelph or McMaster University. With the permission of the Graduate Program Committee, graduate students complete and successfully defend a Major Research Paper of approximately 10,000 words: | |||||||||||
| POLS*6970 | [1.00] | Major Paper | |||||||||