The Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science provides excellent preparation for doctoral study, graduate education for secondary school educators, and individuals who would simply like to know more about the workings of government and politics. The course of study is especially ideal for students who are considering doctoral study and are looking to further their training, enhance their competitiveness and get a closer look at what more advanced graduate work would entail. We offer a range of field specializations with faculty strengths in American politics, public administration, public policy and political methodology.
Students in the MA program usually enroll in nine hours each semester and complete the program in two years. These courses include a healthy mix of masters and doctoral students representing multiple programs on-campus, with many classes scheduled during the day in addition to a few classes in the evening. Unlike our MPA program, which is designed for students who work full-time, our MA students are often full-time.
Graduate Studies Brochure (pdf)
Application Deadline for fall 2025 is February 1, 2025.
The fall 2024 admissions application for the MA in political science is now closed. The online OU Graduate College application for fall 2025 admissions will be available in late September 2024.
In order to be considered for admission to the graduate program, all applicants must first meet Graduate College admission requirements as described in the Graduate College Bulletin.
The Department of Political Science expects that students seeking admittance to graduate work will have successfully completed at least 24 hours of undergraduate study in political science or 15 hours in political science plus nine of another social science field. Students lacking this preparation will be considered for admission, but they may be asked to commence their studies with additional courses in order to be fully prepared for graduate work. Additional coursework will be determined in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies in Political Science at the time of enrollment. All applicants must have received at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution.
To seek admission, applicants must apply directly to OU Graduate College Admissions by submitting the official online application, along with transcripts, application fee, and additional departmental required application materials, as detailed below.
All applicants for whom English is a second language must present evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit their scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL institutional code for the University of Oklahoma is 6879. Please consult the Office of Graduate Admissions English Proficiency Requirements for more information.
Admission to the Political Science MA degree program at the University of Oklahoma is highly selective. Applicants must demonstrate the ability and motivation to succeed in a rigorous program of graduate study, and must make the case that there is a close fit between their aspirations and the offerings of the Department of Political Science at OU.
The admissions committee reviews applications once annually, following the February 1 deadline. Only complete applications are considered. In reviewing applications, the admissions committee undertakes a comprehensive examination of all elements of the application file. In addition to the Graduate Admissions application described above, students must submit the following supplemental materials along with their online application:
All supplemental document may be uploaded with the online application. All transcripts, test scores, correspondence, or any other supplemental material submitted in conjunction with an application for admission become the permanent property of the University of Oklahoma, and will not be returned to the applicant. Should you need copies of your transcripts for other purposes, you must obtain them from the originating institution(s).
The admissions committee request that prospective applicants do not send unsolicited email attachments (i.e., transcripts, résumé, recommendation letters, test scores) when requesting information about our graduate degree programs. The venue to submit such materials is through formal submission of your application to Graduate College Admissions.
Admission decisions are announced around March 1st.
36 semester hours, thesis, or non-thesis options
Required Courses:
P SC 5923 (Introduction to Analysis of Political and Administrative Data)
P SC 5933 (Intermediate Analysis of Political Data)
P SC 6003 (Political Science: Survey of a Discipline)
Concentration in two of seven fields:
American Politics
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Political Methodology (secondary concentration only, non-examining)
Political Theory
Public Administration
Public Law (secondary concentration only, non-examining)
Public Policy
Major Emphasis Concentration (examining)
At least nine hours in one concentration (excludes Political Methodology and Public Law fields), including certain required courses in the concentration field.
Secondary Emphasis Concentration (non-examining)
At least nine hours in a second concentration (may include Political Methodology and the Public Law field), including certain required courses in the concentration field.
Electives:
3-6 hours to fulfill remaining degree requirements may be taken from additional courses in political science, other social sciences, history, or related fields.
Other Degree Requirements:
Comprehensive Oral Examination & Master’s Thesis or Non-Thesis Research Paper
P SC 5980 Master’s Thesis (six hours) or P SC 5950 for non-thesis research (three hours)
Presentation of thesis or research paper and oral comprehensive exam in the student’s primary concentration with three-member committee
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)
The University has made it a priority to increase Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) stipends. Beginning fall 2024, a standard GTA stipend paid over nine months for a political science doctoral student is $20,000 and $17,500 for a master’s student. When available the financial support package typically includes a competitive stipend, graduate tuition waiver, and student health insurance. The support package does not cover university and college fees, housing, books, food, travel, and other personal expenses.
The Department of Political Science offers a limited number of multi-year, renewable GTA appointments each year. Students have the opportunity to develop and enhance teaching skills under the guidance of a tenured political science faculty member. A political science GTA will assist in classroom management, provide instructional support, and lead discussion sections for P SC 1113 American Federal Government, a multi-section course required for undergraduate students. The standard GTA employment is .50 FTE*, which is equivalent to 20 hours per week.
All prospective applicants interested in a graduate assistantship should indicate their interest on the admissions application. A separate application is not required. Nearly everyone who is accepted to the doctoral or master’s degree in political science is eligible for funding, but funding depends on how many open positions we have, and the quality of the applicant as determined by the Graduate Studies Committee.
* GTA employment is generally measured as a proportion of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) or 1.00 FTE status.
Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis Fellowships
The Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (IPPRA) is an interdisciplinary team with decades of experience in addressing public policy challenges such as those posed by extreme weather and the changing climate, energy policy, environmental policy, the role of government intervention in pandemics, and national security.
IPPRA offers competitive Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) to conduct research and data analysis and assist our affiliated faculty across a variety of externally-funded projects that span multiple policy areas. These Graduate Research Assistantships enable students to augment classroom learning; develop new analytical, research and writing skills; and conduct research on complex policy problems for institutions and clients.
IPPRA Graduate Research Assistants also receive annual travel support to offset costs associated with enhancing their ability to successfully complete their doctoral program and prepare for their chosen career paths. Travel support is generally used to attend and present at academic conferences nationwide.
Basic student health insurance and a tuition waiver are benefits that accompany these GRAships. To inquire about current fellowship opportunities, please contact Joe Ripberger, Deputy Director for Research at jtr@ou.edu or Hank Jenkins-Smith, IPPRA Director at hjsmith@ou.edu.
The Graduate Association in Political Science (GAPS) is a registered OU graduate student organization in which membership is reserved to those currently enrolled in the M.A. or Ph.D. in political science degree program at the University of Oklahoma.
