Required Core Courses (21 units)
Scope and Theory of Political Science (6 units total)
- POSC 540 – Seminar Readings in Political Philosophy (3 units)
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POSC 541 – Seminar in Contemporary Political Theory (3 units)
American Politics/Public Affairs (6 units total)
One course from the following list (3 units)
- POSC 512 – American Political Institutions
- POSC 513 – American Political Behavior
- POSC 514 – Seminar in American Political Development
One course from the list above or one of the following list (3units)
- POSC 509 – Foundations of Public Administration
- POSC 519 – State and Local Government
- POSC 525 – Local Government Management
- POSC 528 – Seminar in Public Policy
Cross-National Politics (6 units total)
Two courses from the following list (6 units)
- POSC 530 – Seminar in Cross-National Politics (3 units)
- POSC 551 – Seminar in Theories of International Relations (3 units)
- POSC 555 – World Order (3 units)
Research Methods (3 units)
- POSC 501 – Political Science Research Design (3 units)
Electives (9 units)
All remaining three courses are electives that the student selects in conjunction with the program coordinator.
POSC 500 classes not applied toward the core requirements may be taken as well as some POSC 400 classes.
Culminating Experience
All students must complete a culminating experience. There are three options for this:
- Comprehensive exams taken in the last semester (written exams followed by an oral exam)
- A project
- A thesis
Most students fulfill this requirement through the comprehensive exams. Students must consult with the program coordinator for further information on these options.