College of Humanities and Social Sciences
M.A. in Political Science
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Master of Arts in Political Science provides students with a firm liberal arts foundation in the various sub-fields of Political Science, (i.e. American Government and Politics, International Relations/Comparative Politics, Political Theory/Foundations of Constitutional Government) accompanied by a concentration in an area of interest to each student.
The program provides advanced preparation for those who seek a career in the public or related sector at the local, state, national and international levels. It also serves those persons in the area of higher education and/or additional advanced graduate studies at the PhD level.
The curriculum also includes a strong experiential component for those seeking positions of political and academic leadership.
Program Coordinator: Dr. Larry Chang
Professor of Political Science
Hutchinson 105
Tel: 908-737-3990
lchang@kean.edu
DMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the University's admission requirements:
- G.R.E. (Graduate Record Exam) test scores
- Three (3) letters of reccomendation
- Undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.0 (with students who have a lower G.P.A. considered on an individual basis). *
* Applicants accepted into the program who majored in a subject other than Political Science at the undergraduate level may be required to take one or more undergraduate Political Science courses that would not be counted towards the minimum of 33 credits in the graduate program. The requirement depends on their undergraduate major and course work.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- 33 credit hours
- G.P.A. of 3.0
- Comprehensive Examination in Political Science (within confines of Advanced Graduate Seminar in Political Science: PS-5900)
- M.A. Thesis ( For those students taking Thesis Option in their own area of concentration)
CONCENTRATIONS AND OPTIONS
The M.A. Program in Political Science offers 3 substantive areas of concentration, and each student will be expected to select one of those concentrations as the area in which the major portion of his or her graduate work will be focused.
Concentration 1: American Government and Politics
Course Descriptions:
- PS-5015: Analytical Methods in Political Science
- PS-5020: Contemporary Political Problems
- PS-5030: Readings in Political Science
- PS-5900: Advanced Graduate Seminar in Political Science
- PS-5910: Research Thesis Seminar
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- PS-5040: Labor Relations in America
- PS-5085: The Contemporary Metropolitan Community
- PS-5140: The Growth of the Modern Presidency
- PS-5170: Government and Politics of New Jersey
- PS-51xx: The U.S. Congress
- PS-51xx: The Supreme Court and Constitutional Development
- PS-51xx: Civil Rights, Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law
- PS-51xx: The Regulatory Process
- PS-51xx: The Role of States in the Evolving Federal System
- PS-51xx: Political Institutions in the State of New Jersey
- PS-51xx: Public Policy Development and Analysis
- PS-51xx: Interest Groups and Citizen Participation
- PS-51xx: The Media, Public Opinion, and American Politics
- PS-51xx: Political Parties, Elections, and American Voting Behavior
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS / COMPARATIVE POLITICS
- PS-5310: The Evolution and Devolution of the USSR
- PS-5320: Contemporary Sub-Saharan African Politics
- PS-5410: International Conflict Resolution
- PS-5450: The Use of American Military Force in the Post- Cold War World
- PS-53xx: International Relations Theory
- PS-53xx: The Rule of Law in International Relations
- PS-53xx: United States Foreign Policy in World Politics
- PS-53xx: The Politics of International Economic Relations
- PS-54xx: Peace-making in the Middle East
- PS-54xx: European Integration vs. Nationalism
- PS-54xx: Theories of Comparative Government
- PS-54xx: The Challenges of Nation Building in Africa
- PS-54xx: Latin American Political Development
- PS-54xx: Political and Economic Challenges in Asia
- PS-54xx: Contemporary Issues in International Relations/Comparative Politics
- PS-58xx: Graduate Internship in Political Science
POLITICAL THEORY/FOUNDATIONS OF CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
- PS-5250: The Judiciary and the American Constitution Order
- PS-52xx: Democratic Political Theory
- PS-52xx: Liberalism and It's Critics
- PS-52xx: The Moral Foundations of Constitutional Government
- PS-52xx: Religion and Politics
- PS-52xx : Foundations of American Political Thought
Concentration 2: International Relations/Comparative Politics
Concentration 3: Political Theory/Foundations of Constitutional Government.
Whichever concentration students choose, they can select from two options: A Thesis Option program, or a Non-thesis option program.
THESIS OPTION (33 CREDITS)
6 credits required introductory courses
- PS-5030: Readings in Political Science ( 3 cr.)
- PS-5015: Analytical Methods in Poli. Sci. ( 3 cr.)
9 credits of breadth courses, 3 credits in each of the
major areas of concentration
12 credits of elective courses, 9 of which must be within one's own concentration.
3 credits, PS-5900: Advanced Graduate Seminar in Political Science
3 credits, PS-5910: Research Thesis Seminar
NON-THESIS OPTION (33 CREDITS)
6 credits required introductory courses
- PS-5030: Readings in Political Science ( 3cr.)
- PS-5015: Analytical Methods in Political Science (3cr.)
9 credits of breadth courses, 3 credits in each of the major areas of concentration
15 credits of elective courses, 9 of which must be within one's own concentration.
3 credits, PS-5900: Advanced Graduate Seminar in
Political Science.
Faculty
Dr. Charles Boateng
Dr. Lawrence Chang, Coordinator
Dr. Robert Hunt
Dr. Gilbert N. Kahn
Dr. Charles Kelly
Dr. Nazih Richani