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Political Wonk

The Master
of Political Science

Chief of staff. Lobbyist. Advocate. Elected official.

Political wonks know how to make their mark.

Master of Political Science

The Master of Political Science program provides students the knowledge, skills, and values for functioning with distinction throughout their careers at different levels of responsibility within the U.S. constitutional context and abroad.

 

Admission to the Program

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). All applicants are evaluated on the basis of scholastic achievement in their last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work, two letters of recommendation and an essay on career interest. Applicants who wish to be considered for departmental honor awards must apply for full-time status.

Master's Program Experience

Through a rich academic curriculum, the unparalleled ability to connect students with experts, and a prime location at the center of the action, the Government Department at American University opens the door to our political system and provides future leaders with the knowledge they need to excel in the political arena.



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Degree Requirements

(Click to download a sample syllabus; unless otherwise stated, all courses are worth three credits)

Political Science: American Politics

In addition, 15 credit hours in American politics including:

As well as approved courses on public opinion, political behavior, elections, parties, or interest groups, and 9 credit hours selected from political science or other disciplines, which may include 3 credit hours of GOVT-691 Internship

Political Science: Comparative Politics

And 9 credit hours from the following:

Applied Politics

Two 1-credit courses from the following:

  • GOVT-523 Public Affairs Institute

    • Survey Research, Focus Groups, Media (1)

    • Lobbying and the Internet (1)

    • Grassroots Lobbying (1)

           (Or another approved topic)

  • Women in Congress (1)

  • Women’s Health Policy (1)

  • Politics of Women and National Security (1)

       (Or another approved topic)

18 credit hours from the following:

Program Goals

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the core questions and basic literature in at least one subfield of political science.
  2. Apply political science theories to real world problems.
  3. Show a fluency in reading quantitative research findings and the ability to undertake basic analysis using quantitative tools.
  4. Show familiarity with basic issues of research design.
  5. Demonstrate mastery of writing through a range of assignments, including empirical research papers, theoretical essays, and other forms of expository writing.

Poli Sci Student Goes Behind the Scenes at Primary

Making news: Elise Tollefson in the press filing room at the first New Hampshire GOP debate.

Elise Tollefson was living a politico’s dream. The 24-year-old graduate student was rubbing elbows with presidential candidates, reporters, and pundits while covering the New Hampshire primary—and calling it schoolwork.

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