The MA program is designed to provide students with the foundation to pursue the more advanced graduate study associated with the pursuit of the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Many individuals, however, find the MA degree useful in their careers in such diverse areas as journalism, the military, or education.

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Options Available

Thesis
Course Only with Comprehensive Exam

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Three recommendation forms must be submitted, at least two of which must be completed by instructors at the institution most recently attended. In addition, scores on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination must be submitted.
• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent is required for admission.
• Normally an overall average of 3.00 is also required together with an average of 3.20 in the last two years of political science or social science.
• In addition, a composite score of at least 302 on the verbal and quantitative parts of the GRE is normally required.

Thesis Option

Course work, plus preparation of a thesis, and an oral examination on all work offered for the degree.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• At least 12 credit hours must be in political science (POLS), with 6 credit hours in the field of methodology selected from POLS 510  and either POLS 511  or POLS 512  
• POLS 500  (6 credit hours)

Additional Course Requirements

• 12 credit hours selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee

Non-Course Requirements

• An oral examination on course work and the thesis.

Course Only with Comprehensive Exams Option

Course work, plus a written comprehensive examination on all work offered for the degree.

Credit Hours Required

36 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• At least 12 credit hours must be in political science (POLS), with 6 credit hours in the field of methodology selected from POLS 510  and either POLS 511  or POLS 512  
• 3 credit hours in the 600-level research seminar in the student’s first or second field

Additional Course Requirements

• 21 credit hours selected in consultation with the major professor and/or committee

Non-Course Requirements

• A written comprehensive examination on all course work