Department of Political Science
College of Liberal Arts
Jackson State University’s Department of Political Science helps students combine theoretical creativity and empirical research. Among the department’s areas of strength are American politics, comparative politics (particularly African politics), international relations, and public law. The department’s faculty uses diverse analytic perspectives, but their research programs share a common concern for the role of citizenship in government, political processes, and institutions.
The Department offers the M.A. in Political Science entirely online. All of the courses are virtual. The courses are 8 weeks in length. This allows students to earn their M.A. in Political Science in two semesters or one academic year. The M.A. in Political Science offers only the non-thesis route.
Students must complete a minimum of thirty-six (36) credit hours of coursework and pass the Graduate Area Comprehensive Examination (GACE).
All students must successfully complete the following and maintain an overall 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in order to earn the M.A. degree in Political Science:
- Complete twelve (12) hours in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.
- Take and pass the Graduate English Competency Examination.
- Take and pass the Graduate Area Comprehensive Examination.
Retention Requirement
A minimum grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) on graduate work earned in the degree program is required. Grades of C or lower do not count toward completing the M.A. degree.
Requirement for Degree Candidacy
Completion of the required political science courses and passage of the comprehensive examination are required for a student to be admitted to candidacy for the M.A. in Political Science. The comprehensive examination consists of written essay questions in the subfields of political science. It should be taken and passed during the student’s last semester of coursework.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
More About Us
Jackson State University’s Department of Political Science helps students combine theoretical creativity and empirical research. Among the department’s areas of strength are American politics, comparative politics (particularly African politics), international relations, and public law. The department’s faculty uses diverse analytic perspectives, but their research programs share a common concern for the role of citizenship in government, political processes, and institutions.
LEARN BY DOING
The Fannie Lou Hamer National Institute of Advocacy & Social Action, cosponsored by the department, conducts summer seminars on the civil rights movement as a model of participatory democracy.
“Challenging Minds, Changing Lives.”
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
International exchanges and travel are available to faculty and students via the Jackson State University Office of International Programs and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Political Science majors have a plethora of career options:
Policy Analyst |
Legislative Assistant |
Public Relations Specialist |
Social Media Manager |
Marketing Research Analyst |
Political Consultant |
Attorney |
Intelligence Analyst |
READY TO JOIN?
For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-2135. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.