Politics and Policy Studies

Curriculum

33 credit hours of coursework, including a thesis

Required courses for all M.A. students:

• Public Policy Analysis (POLS 5613)

• ProSeminar in American Politics (POLS 5703)

• ProSeminar in International Relations (POLS 5203) OR ProSeminar in Comparative Politics (POLS 5403)

• Quantitative Methods (POLS 5013)

• Research Design (POLS 5103)

Additional course requirements: 

• Six hours of thesis (POLS 5000) OR three hours in Directed Study (POLS 5100) AND Formal Report (POLS 5020)

• Twelve hours of electives—up to nine of these hours can be taken outside the department (some restrictions apply)

• Official undergraduate transcripts

• Personal statement outlining your interest in the program and what you hope to achieve with help of an M.A. (1-2 pages)

• Email addresses of three individuals willing to write a letter of recommendation, academic references are preferred.

• 3.0 undergraduate GPA

*Note: Application fee waiver offered for current and former McNair Scholars

Test Scores:

• Non-native English speakers must meet minimum English language test scores for admission set by the OSU Graduate College. Students from some countries are exempt from this requirement due to English being the primary language of instruction.

• English Proficiency Country Exceptions

Application Deadlines:

• February 1 for Fall admission and funding consideration.