THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE
POLITICAL SCIENCE
POLITICAL SCIENCE

23.2.1 THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE

Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission to the one-year M.A. program is an honours degree or combined honours degree in Political Science, or an honours degree in a related discipline, such as International Relations, with a B+ average. Honours graduates in fields other than these will be considered on the basis of their academic background and standing. Those with less than an four-year degree, or with minor deficiencies, will be required to take additional courses, or to enter a two-year program (see 1.3.3).

Program Requirements

With the advice of the Political Science Graduate Committee, the candidate may proceed toward the degree in one of the following programs of study. While initial selection is not irreversible, students may change from one program to another only with the approval of the Graduate Committee and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
(a) A minimum of four graduate courses plus a thesis on some research subject approved by the Graduate Committee. The thesis will be written under the direction of a committee composed of two Political Science faculty members plus a member outside Political Science, but from within the University. An oral defense of the thesis will be required (see 1.6.2).
(b) Six graduate courses and a major paper on some research subject approved by the Graduate Committee. The major paper will be written under the direction of a committee normally composed of two Political Science faculty members. An oral defense of the major paper will be required.

All students in the I Master's (Qualifying) year of a two-year program must normally carry a full load of ten undergraduate courses or their equivalent.