Apr 01, 2025  
2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
Catalog Home
The California State University
Admission to CSULB
Fees and Financial Aid
Baccalaureate Degree Information
Academic Information and Regulations
Academic Services and Campus Life
Graduate Degree Information
Colleges and Departments
Courses
General Policies and Regulations
Faculty and Administration
2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, M.A.

Student can view the general requirements of the University and the specific requirements of the department in this Catalog. Important supplementary information about the master’s degree in political science is available on the department website. Before entering the program, students will normally consult with the graduate advisor.

After beginning graduate study, the student is responsible for obtaining the consent of fulltime members of the department’s graduate faculty to serve on her/his graduate committee. The student should seek to have established her/his committee prior to completion of the first year or the first 18 units of work as a graduate student in political science unless the Department Graduate Committee grants an exception.

Minimum prerequisites for admission consideration:

  1. A bachelor’s degree with a major in political science or a bachelor’s degree with 24 upper division units in political science comparable to those required for a major in political science at this university.
  2. A 3.0 (“B”) GPA in political science courses taken as an undergraduate;
  3. Three letters of recommendation (preferably from academic sources);
  4. A statement of purpose of approximately 500 words. Include a discussion of applicant’s motivations and qualifications for entering the MA program.

Students who have not majored in political science and do not have 24 units of upper division political science work are encouraged to consult with the graduate coordinator for further advice.

Advancement to Candidacy

  1. Satisfy the general requirements of the University for advancement to candidacy;
  2. In order to be recommended for advancement to candidacy, students must obtain the written approval of their master’s degree program of course work by their committee chair and graduate advisor.

Requirements

A student’s program is formulated in consultation with the department’s Graduate Coordinator.

The following courses are required, for a total of 30 units:

Three of the following:

Two of the following:

One elective graduate course

(selected in consultation with Graduate Coordinator) (3 units)

One of the following: