Our Master of Arts degree in Political Science is designed to prepare students for further academic training as well as careers in public administration, law, business, education, community engagement, survey research, and journalism. Some graduates go on to Ph.D. programs, while others pursue careers as lobbyists, congressional staffers, policy analysts, city managers, attorneys, and public program managers.
Starting in fall 2023, Our department will be offering two Master's degrees:
Regardless of degree focus, our students are trained in research techniques, critical thinking, and analysis through a combination of required coursework and research-related requirements. Check out the the current Oklahoma State Academic Catalog for a full list of required coursework.
The size of our program allows us to offer Graduate Teaching Assistantships for qualified students, something that most Master’s programs cannot offer. These assistantships provide students with a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a stipend. Students working as Graduate Teaching Assistant are typically responsible for attending lecture, holding office hours, grading, and assisting with the administration of the undergraduate course(s) to which they are assigned.
To be eligible to serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, a score of 26 or above on the spoken section of the TOEFL iBT, or a score of 8.5 or above on the speaking portion of the IELTS, is required.
Based on current enrollment, the MA program in Political Science is not accepting applications for a spring 2022 start. We encourage applications for a fall 2022 start.
Students interested in applying should do so online through the Graduate College. You will need to submit scanned copies of the following materials:
Official undergraduate transcripts
A 1-2 page personal statement that outlines why you are interested in the program and what you hope to achieve with the help of a Master of Arts degree in political science,
The email addresses of three individuals willing to write you a letter of recommendation, with preference given to faculty who are familiar with your academic work and record.
International students may need to submit TOEFL scores, and other materials as required by the Oklahoma State Graduate College. This information can be found on the Graduate College website.
We offer an application fee waiver for current and former McNair Scholars.
Applications are due on March 1 for fall semester admittance.
Since the graduate program in Political Science was established in 1946, it has awarded MA degrees to hundreds of students from more than a dozen countries.
Master's students may be eligible for department funding in the form of teaching assistantships for our undergraduate American Government class, making our program more affordable and helping our students build fundamental communication skills. These teaching assistantships also allow our graduate students the opportunity to instill a greater sense of citizenship and a more enthusiastic understanding of American political processes in a new generation of students.
Our master's program offers a number of benefits when compared to similar programs at peer universities, including opportunities to: