The Master of Arts in Political Science provides advanced training in political analysis, research methodology, and data-driven decision-making. The program’s emphasis on evidence-based analysis and applied research enables students to evaluate complex issues, analyze political and institutional dynamics, and support organizational decision-making in rapidly changing environments. Graduates of the Master of Arts in Political Science program are prepared to enter leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, consulting, and the private sector.
A Program of Study in the Master of Arts in Political Science consists of the following coursework. Students have the option of completing a thesis with 27 hours of coursework or choosing the nonthesis option with 33 hours of coursework.
Total Credit Hours Required: 33 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Degree Requirements
Required Core Courses
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- POS6736 - Conduct of Political Inquiry (3)
- POS6746 - Quantitative Methods in Political Research (3)
- Complete at least 2 of the following:
- CPO6091 - Seminar in Comparative Politics (3)
- INR6007 - Seminar in International Politics (3)
- POS6045 - Seminar in American National Politics (3)
- POT6007 - Seminar in Political Theory (3)
Elective Courses
15 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Students will complete 15 hours of coursework at the 5000 or 6000 level. All 5000 or 6000 level courses offered by the SPSIA can be used to meet this requirement, with the exception of those courses used to complete core course requirements. Up to 6 credit hours of 5000 and 6000 level courses coursework from other departments/schools may also be used as electives with the prior approval of the MA program coordinator. Students may use up to 6 hours of independent study and up to 6 hours of internship credit for the elective credits requirement, but no more than 6 hours total can be from coursework outside the SPSIA, independent study, or internship credit.
- Complete at least 5 of the following:
- CPO6038 - Political Development (3)
- CPO6058 - Revolution and Political Violence (3)
- CPO6206 - Comparative Politics of Africa (3)
- CPO6307 - Issues in Latin American Politics (3)
- CPO6407 - Comparative Politics of the Middle East (3)
- CPO6729 - Global Security in the Age of Migration (3)
- INR6039 - International Political Economy (3)
- INR6062 - Peace Studies (3)
- INR6065 - Seminar on War (3)
- INR6067 - Human Rights and Security (3)
- INR6068 - Politics of Civil Wars (3)
- INR6108 - Seminar in American Foreign Policy (3)
- INR6136 - Seminar in American Security Policy (3)
- INR6137 - Terrorism and Politics (3)
- INR6257 - International Relations of Africa (3)
- INR6275 - International Politics of the Middle East (3)
- INR6339 - Strategic Warning Analysis (3)
- INR6346 - Politics of International Terrorism (3)
- INR6352 - Global Environmental Politics (3)
- INR6356 - Environmental Security (3)
- INR6365 - Seminar on Intelligence (3)
- INR6366 - The Intelligence Community (3)
- INR6726 - Political Behavior in International Conflict (3)
- POS6207 - Political Behavior (3)
- POS6415 - The American Presidency (3)
- POS6427 - Congress and the Legislative Process (3)
- POS6686 - National Security Law (3)
- POS6729 - Political Network Analysis (3)
- POS6743 - Geographic Tools for Political Science Research (3)
- POS6747 - Advanced Topics in Quantitative Political Analysis (3)
- POS6757 - Survey Design for Political Science Research (3)
- PUP6208 - Environmental Politics (3)
- PUP6247 - Contemporary Issues in Environmental Politics (3)
- PUP6607 - Politics of Health (3)
ThesisNonthesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis Option- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: POS 6971 Thesis After completion of the required coursework and the passing of comprehensive exams, students seeking to complete a thesis must complete a number of steps as detailed in the handbook, including forming a committee, passing a thesis proposal hearing, and passing a final oral defense of their thesis. In addition to SPSIA guidelines for the thesis, students should also become familiar with the UCF's requirements and deadlines for organizing and submitting the thesis.
Nonthesis Option- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: The student must complete 6 additional credit hours of course electives in their respective areas. Thesis hours, if already taken, will not count for course credit for the 6 additional credit hours of coursework. Electives 6 Credit Hours Prior to the final semester of coursework, students seeking to complete a nonthesis must complete a number of steps as detailed in the Handbook, including forming a committee, developing an article-length research paper, and presenting their nonthesis at a public academic forum.
Comprehensive Examination
0 Total Credits
- All candidates for the MA degree must take a comprehensive written examination. The examination will be administered after satisfactory completion of the required course work and must be taken prior to enrollment in thesis hours. Students not passing any part of the examination may take this part a second time however, no student will be allowed to take the examination more than twice.
Equipment Fee
0 Total Credits
- Full-time students in the Political Science MA program pay a $39 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $19.50 per semester.
Grand Total Credits: 33
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
