About the Program
The Department of Political Science offers a 5.0-credit MA program. Most students complete this program in two years. The MA in Political Science emphasizes the development of theoretical competence and rigorous analytical skills in the study of politics. The program can be completed through coursework only, or through a combination of coursework and a thesis or major research paper. While there are no formal specializations within the degree program, students may choose courses from a wide variety of fields, including Political Theory, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Canadian Politics, Gender and Politics and Public Policy. All of these fields are well represented by internationally-recognized faculty members who are available for thesis and research essay supervision.
Academic Regulations
- See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
- All master's candidates must obtain a B standing or better (GPA 8.0). One grade of C+ may be allowed.
Admission Requirements
- The normal requirement for admission to the master's program is B.A.(Honours) (or the equivalent) in Political Science, with at least high honours standing.
- The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research requires applicants whose native language is not English to be tested for proficiency in English. Applicants to the Political Science graduate program must submit a CAEL Assessment score of a minimum of 70 or a TOEFL score of a minimum of 237 (computer-based) or 580 (regular).
- Honours graduates in fields other than political science will be considered on the basis of their academic background and standing, and will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Those with only minor deficiencies may be required to take certain specified courses, while others whose degrees are less closely related to political science may be required to register in the qualifying year, at the discretion of the Department. Graduates of three-year programs in political science will be required either to complete the fourth year of an honours degree and reapply, or register in the qualifying year (see above), depending on work completed to date and academic standing.
Program Requirements
Details on all program requirements are provided in the departmental Guidelines for M.A. Candidates.
All master's candidates will fulfil a 5.0-credit program requiring departmental approval. A maximum of 1.0 credit may be taken at the 4000-level. The student may choose to take a maximum of 1.0 credit outside the Department of Political Science.
All candidates, in consultation with the Department, will pursue their degree by following one of three program patterns:
- 5.0 credits in approved courses
- Research Essay (1.0 credit) and 4.0 credits in approved courses
- Thesis (2.0 credits) and 3.0 credits in approved courses
All M.A. students must complete a language requirement prior to graduation. This language will normally be French, except where a degree of proficiency in another language is deemed appropriate in relation to the student's program of studies. The language requirement may be satisfied by passing a Departmental French language test. Departmental language tests are administered twice a year. The language requirement may also be satisfied by passing an approved language course with a grade of B- or better. This course will normally be FINS 2105. Students whose research interests require research skills skill beyond the basic methods requirement may obtain permission from the Department to substitute this advanced research skill for the language requirement.
It is anticipated that candidates will enter having taken some political theory at the undergraduate level. Those who have not will be required to take PSCI 2300, a 1.0-credit course over and above the normal M.A. program requirements.
It is anticipated that candidates will enter having taken a methods course at the undergraduate level. Those who have not may be required, depending on the course pattern chosen, to take PSCI 5700, a 0.5-credit course which can be included as part of the 5.0-credit requirement. When appropriate and related significantly to the program of study, another methods course, such as PSCI 5304, PSCI 5701 or PSCI 5702 may be substituted for PSCI 5700.
Defences
In the case of the student choosing a thesis, the thesis will be evaluated by three people: the student's thesis supervisor from the Department, a second reader from the Department, and an external third reader who is generally from another Carleton Department but may sometimes come from outside the University. A thesis must be defended orally before the three evaluators. No letter grade is assigned, but notations of Pass with Distinction, Satisfactory, and Unsatisfactory are assigned.
In the case of the student choosing a research essay, that essay will be evaluated by two of the Department's faculty members including the supervisor and a second reader, and a letter grade will be assigned. An oral defence of the essay is not required but may be requested by the supervisor or second reader.
Co-op Option
A co-op option is available to full-time students in the M.A. program. Students admitted to this option must satisfactorily complete at least two work terms in order to graduate with a co-op designation on their transcripts. These work terms are four months in duration and locate students in government departments or other organizations in order to work at a junior officer level. Students register in one of PSCI 5911, PSCI 5912 or PSCI 5913 Co-operative Work Term; however the coordination of the work terms is done by the University's Co-op office.
Washington Center Internship Program
The Washington Center Internship Program is open to full time master's students who have completed at least two terms of study at Carleton. Admission is open to students with at least a 9.5 GPA in Political Science graduate courses. Successful completion of the program satisfies the requirements for one term of full-time study (1.5 credits). Students spend one term (fall, winter or summer) in Washington, D.C. They serve four days a week as an intern in Washington, D.C. and also take two seminar courses offered by faculty of The Washington Center. The normal 1.5 credit course load for participants in the program is:
- PSCI 5904 (0.5 credit), Washington Center Internship
- PSCI 5905 (0.5 credit), Washington Center Seminar I
- PSCI 5906 (0.5 credit), Washington Center Seminar II
Full information on the program and application forms can be obtained from the Department of Political Science.
Course Selection
Within the scope of the regulations, the following undergraduate courses (fully described in the Undergraduate Calendar) may be taken by M.A. students.
Please note that not all of these courses are offered every year. Students should consult the timetable published each year in early June.
Political SciencePSCI 4000 Topics in Canadian Government and Politics
PSCI 4002 Policy Seminar: Problems of Northern Development
PSCI 4003 Politics and the Media
PSCI 4005 Stability, Justice and Federalism
PSCI 4008 National Security and Intelligence in the Modern State
PSCI 4009 Quebec Politics
PSCI 4103 The Modern State
PSCI 4104 Theory and Practice in Third World Development
PSCI 4105 Selected Problems in Third World Development
PSCI 4107 Political Participation in Canada
PSCI 4108 Canadian Provincial Government and Politics
PSCI 4109 The Politics of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
PSCI 4204 Elections
PSCI 4205 Identity Politics
PSCI 4207 Globalization, Adjustment and Democracy in Africa
PSCI 4208 Queer Politics
PSCI 4304 Political Inquiry
PSCI 4305 Contemporary Political Theory
PSCI 4308 History of Political Inquiry
PSCI 4309 Contemporary Approaches to Political Enquiry
PSCI 4400 Socio-Technical Change and Public Policy Design
PSCI 4402 Gender, State, and Public Policy
PSCI 4403 Reproductive Rights Policy in North America
PSCI 4407 Public Policy: Content and Creation
PSCI 4408 Public Affairs Management and Analysis
PSCI 4409 Issues in Development Management
PSCI 4500 Gender and Globalization
PSCI 4501 Gender and Politics in Post-Communist Societies
PSCI 4502 Post-Soviet States and Societies
PSCI 4503 Politcs of Central Eurasia
PSCI 4505 Transitions to Democracy
PSCI 4506 Women and Politics in North America
PSCI 4601 Foreign Policies of Soviet Successor States
PSCI 4602 Bargaining and Negotiation
PSCI 4603 Analysis of International Political Economy
PSCI 4604 Selected Problems in International Political Economy
PSCI 4605 Gender in International Relations
PSCI 4606 American Foreign Policy
PSCI 4607 Politics of North America
PSCI 4609 European Integration and European Security
PSCI 4800 Advanced International Relations Theory
PSCI 4801 Selected Problems in Global Politics
PSCI 4802 International Politics of Africa
PSCI 4803 Foreign Policies of Major East Asian Powers
PSCI 4806 Translatlantic Security Issues
PSCI 4807 Migration and Mobility: Politics of Citizenship and Identity
Students are encouraged to look for courses within Carleton in the Departments of Economics, Geography, History, Law, Philosophy, and Sociology and Anthropology; the Schools of Business, Journalism and Communication, Public Administration, and the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs; and in the Institutes of European and Russian Studies, and Political Economy. They are equally strongly encouraged to look for courses in the Departments of Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Ottawa.
All courses selected will be subject to the approval of the Department, on grounds of appropriateness to the program of study and the avoidance of excessive overlap between courses.
