Guides and Documents
- NSS Graduate Student Handbook. This document is prepared by the College of Natural and Social Sciences and covers all of the policies of the university affecting graduate students.
- MA Student Handbook. This document is prepared by the Political Science Department to explain the structure, procedures, and expectations of our MA program.
- Program Form/Degree Planner and in Word format. New students should fill out this form and return it to the Political Science Department office; it describes the MA requirements in a single-page format.
- MA "Road Map". Students can use this form to plan their courses over a two-year period.
- Thesis Guidelines. Note especially the information about formatting guidelines. Students interested in writing a thesis must contact the MA advisor prior to proceeding.
- Information on applying for graduation (a necessary step to receive your degree) is available from the University Graduation Office.
- GS-10 form for Advancing to Candidacy.
Graduate Assistant Positions
The department regularly offers positions to graduate students to work as Graduate Assistants (GA) in undergraduate courses (typically, POLS 1000: Power, Politics and Engagement in US Government). This duty mainly involves helping the instructor in the grading of papers, exams, etc., and related tasks. Ideally, students should have completed POLS 5050 with a B+ or better grade prior to working as a Graduate Assistant for POLS 1000. To apply for a GA position, contact the current MA Graduate Advisor. Graduate students selected as GAs must provide two letters of recommendation, a resume, and complete several forms (available from the department office) before they can be officially appointed.
Maintaining Student Status
Graduate students who have not advanced to candidacy (which occurs after completing 12 units in the program and filing a GS-10 form) will maintain continuing student status if they are absent for one semester as long as they enroll in the following semester. Graduate students who have not advanced to candidacy will lose continuing student status if they are absent for two consecutive semesters. Graduate students may request a return from an educational leave following an absence for up to two consecutive semesters, subject to renewal. Graduate petitions to return require the approval of the college graduate dean.
Graduate students who have advanced to candidacy will lose continuing student status if they are absent for one semester (i.e., any break in continuous enrollment).
UNIV 9000: Registration in UNIV 9000 is restricted to graduate/doctoral degree students who have been advanced to candidacy and have completed all coursework (including all allowable research units) but need additional time to complete their thesis, project, or dissertation. Information on how to enroll: /page/university-9000-univ-9000.
For other questions, please contact the MA Advisor.