The Master of Arts in Political Science is generally not offered as a terminal degree. Instead, it is conferred upon students who either choose to discontinue or are unable to continue in the PhD program.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of two major fields in the discipline and competency in one minor field (the minor field may be within the discipline, in an interdisciplinary subject, or in another related discipline);
• demonstrate advanced research skills, including advanced statistical analysis and broad knowledge of a range of theoretical and methodological approaches relevant to their field of research;
• demonstrate effective teaching skills following the pedagogical standards of the discipline;
• be familiar with and follow disciplinary norms and standards, including understanding issues related to ethical practices in research; professional, public, and collegial engagement; and instruction; and
• demonstrate a full understanding of the research enterprise, including an ability to engage others' work and an ability to make original and substantial contributions to the field.

The Master of Arts in political science requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit, with a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.25. No thesis or oral exam is required.

Students take 30 s.h. of UI courses numbered 3000 or above; a minimum of 16 s.h. of that coursework must be in political science (prefix POLI) courses numbered 3000 or above. 

A first-year evaluation committee convenes at the end of a PhD student's first year of courses; if the committee finds that the student's work provides sufficient evidence of the research and writing skills ordinarily demonstrated in a master's thesis, it may recommend that the student be allowed to proceed with a doctoral program. When the first-year evaluation committee finds the quality of a student's work inadequate for recommending continuation toward the PhD, the committee may recommend that the student be permitted to seek the MA without thesis as a terminal degree.

Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.

Academics

University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.

Admissions

Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.

Financial Support

Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.