Why Pursue Graduate Studies in Political Science at University of Memphis?

The Department of Political Science offers individually tailored programs leading to the Master of Arts in Political Science. This degree provides a broad foundation in politics and government for those intending further graduate study or careers in education and public service or private enterprise. Both thesis and non-thesis programs are available.

• Our graduates are successful: We prepare students for successful careers in the academic, public, and private sectors. Many of our best students have gone on to leading Ph.D. programs, to law school, and to become top public and private sector executives.
• Our assistantships include all fees and tuition, and are quite competitive with other graduate programs: Graduate assistants work for 20 hours per week with graduate faculty. They have enriching and stimulating opportunities to assist faculty in the undergraduate classroom and on faculty research projects.
• We have an excellent student-to-faculty ratio: in our graduate program. Our average graduate seminar has about 10 students. This enables us to give a lot of individual attention to each of our graduate students.
• We are an effective "springboard" into further graduate studies:

• - Showing excellence in a Master's-level graduate program is a great way to increase the likelihood of being accepted into a top Ph.D. program.

  - Our students have gone on to some of the leading Ph.D. programs in political science, including the University of Indiana, Leeds University, the University of Washington, the University of Missouri, and the University of Kansas.

• Our students develop a critical and versatile skill-set:

• - Our students have the opportunity to learn the importance of original scholarly research by working with our faculty on research projects. Some students present papers at professional conferences, and submit papers for publication.

  - We help our students develop as future educators/ public speakers. Many of our students give guest lectures in undergraduate classes, and some have the opportunity to work closely with faculty as teaching assistants.

  - For students seeking employment outside of academia, we offer the necessary analytic and methodological tools so necessary for success in the private sector.

• We offer a well-rounded curriculum: We have productive scholars with active research agendas in American Government, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Our faculty publish in the leading journals and presses of our discipline, and have respected reputations in their fields. Our varied expertise allows us to accommodate a large range of student interests – both in the classroom and individual graduate research projects.

The New Dual M.A.-J.D. Program

Starting in the Fall Semester 2006, the Department of Political Science and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at The University of Memphis will offer a Dual M.A.-J.D. Program. Over the years, both undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Memphis have requested a dual program for the Law J.D. and the Political Science M.A. degree programs. The advantage of such a program is that credit towards degrees in these career-related disciplines can be earned simultaneously.

Students may begin the M.A. in Political Science and then, pending separate admission, attend Law School where they may apply 16 credit hours to the M.A. Alternatively, they may first begin Law School and, pending separate admission, follow with the M.A. degree and similarly apply 16 hours of Law School credit to the M.A.

The New Accelerated B.A./M.A. Program in Political Science

For many years, some of our best students have entered the last years of their undergraduate program having nearly completed their degree requirements (including general education, college and departmental degree requirements). Needing only one or two classes to graduate, students often devote a large share of their senior year to completing a minor or even a second major.

In response, The Department of Political Science has implemented an accelerated program which allows talented students to begin the coursework for the M.A. program during their senior year.

Working with the Undergraduate and Graduate Coordinators, undergraduates may begin their Master's level coursework in Political Science during their senior year as Combined Senior students. Graduate courses taken in your senior year would count in full toward the Masters Degree in Political Science.

Students admitted to this program apply for full admission to the M.A. program – and for a graduate assistantship – during the spring semester of their Senior year. Online you can learn more about the graduate program, and complete the general application for admission and for graduate financial assistance.

Contact

If you have any questions about graduate studies in political science at the University of Memphis, please contact our graduate coordinator, Dr. Heather Larsen-Price (hlrsnprc@memphis.edu) or 678-3320.