Graduate Program

Graduate Advisor
Christopher K. Butler

Application Information
Fall admission only.

Priority for admission and financial aid is given to applications received by January 15. Applications accepted until May 1.

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the University of New Mexico, applicants must submit GRE Test Scores, a writing sample, a letter of intent and three letters of recommendation.


Degrees Offered

  • Master of Arts in Political Science (M.A.)
    Concentrations: American Politics; Comparative Politics; International Relations; Methodology; Public Policy.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (Ph.D.)
    Concentrations: American Politics; Comparative Politics; International Relations; Methodology; Public Policy.

Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program

The Department of Political Science offers a Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program. The Program enables completion of the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science, and the M.A. in Political Science in five years of study. Refer to the Political Science: Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for specific admission and coursework requirements.


Master of Arts in Political Science

The Department of Political Science offers the M.A. in Political Science with concentrations in American Politics; Comparative Politics; International Relations; Methodology; Public Policy. M.A. students select one concentration.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. in Political Science is awarded under either the Plan I (thesis), Plan II (non-thesis), or Plan III (coursework only) options, as described in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog.

  • Plan I: 26 credit hours and 6 credit hours thesis
  • Plan II: 32 credit hours and a qualifying exam.
  • Plan III: 32 credit hours

M.A. students are required to complete POLS 580, 581, 582 and three (3) pro-seminars. Students select one concentration for which they must complete the pro-seminar and at least one research seminar. All required coursework must be completed with a grade of “B” or better, with the exception of courses that are offered for Credit/No Credit only. See the "Concentration Coursework Requirements" section of this page.

Students completing the concentration in Methodology must take two additional methodology courses over and above the methodology sequence (POLS 580, 581, 681), and one research seminar employing advanced research methods.

Students pursuing a terminal M.A. are strongly encouraged to complete their degree under Plan III (coursework only). Students pursuing a Ph.D. complete their M.A. degree under Plan II; the qualifying exam under Plan II requires writing a defendable research paper. All requirements for the M.A. must be completed within five (5) years of admission to the program.


Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science

The Department of Political Science offers the Ph.D. in Political Science with concentrations in American Politics; Comparative Politics; International Relations; Methodology; Public Policy. Doctoral students choose one primary and one secondary concentration.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. requires 48 credit hours of coursework (32 credits for the M.A. plus 16 additional credit hours of coursework), plus 18 credit hours of 699 (Dissertation). All students must complete POLS 580, 581, 582, and 681, three pro-seminars (including one in each chosen concentration); one research seminar in their primary concentration and one research seminar in their secondary concentration. All required coursework must be completed with a grade of “B” or better, with the exception of courses that are offered for Credit/No Credit only. See the "Concentration Coursework Requirements" section of this page.

Students completing the concentration in Methodology must take two additional methodology courses over and above the methodology sequence (POLS 580, 581, 681), and one research seminar employing advanced research methods.

In addition to the required coursework, students must pass the qualifying exam, comprehensive exams, present a dissertation prospectus and successfully defend their dissertation within 5 years of advancement to candidacy.


Concentration Coursework Requirements (M.A., Ph.D.)

American Politics:
POLS 510 Pro-seminar in American Politics
POLS 511 Research Seminar in American Politics

Comparative Politics:
POLS 520 Pro-seminar in Comparative Politics
POLS 521 Research Seminar in Comparative Politics

International Relations:
POLS 540 Pro-seminar in International Relations
POLS 541 Research Seminar in International Relations

Methodology:
Two additional Methodology courses over and above the Methodology sequence (580-581, 681)
One research seminar employing advanced research methods

Public Policy:
POLS 570 Pro-seminar in Public Policy
One research seminar with significant policy content


Undergraduate courses in Political Science (POLS) are categorized in content areas.  The category for each course appears in parenthesis at the end of the course description according to the following legend:

Introductory and General (I); Core (C); American Politics (AP); Comparative Politics (CP); International Politics (IP); Political Theory (PT); Public Policy (PP).


Courses

POLS 1120. American National Government. (3)



POLS 1140. The Political World. (3)



POLS 1996. Topics. (1-6, no limit Δ)



POLS 2110. Comparative Politics. (3)



POLS 2120. International Relations. (3)



POLS 2130. Political Ideas: Introduction to Political Theory. (3)



POLS 2140. Introduction to Political Analysis. (3)



POLS 2150. Public Policy and Administration. (3)



POLS 2996. Topics. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS 2998 [291]. Internship. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



POLS *300. Political Topics. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS *302. Comparative State Politics. (3)



POLS 303. Law in the Political Community. (3)



POLS *305. Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior. (3)



POLS *308. Hispanics in U.S. Politics. (3)



POLS 309. Black Politics. (3)



POLS *311. The Legislative Process. (3)



POLS *312. The American Presidency. (3)



POLS 313. Women and the Law. (3)



POLS 314. Sex and the State. (3)



POLS *315. Constitutional Law: Powers. (3)



POLS *316. Constitutional Law: Liberties. (3)



POLS 317. Constitutional Law: Rights. (3)



POLS *320. Topics in Comparative Politics. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS 323. The Politics of Global Development. (3)



POLS 324. The Politics of Poverty and Inequality. (3)



POLS 325. European Politics. (3)



POLS 327. Qualitative Research Methods. (3)



POLS 329. Introduction to African Politics. (3)



POLS *340. Topics in International Politics. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS 341. International Conflict and Cooperation. (3)



POLS *342. American Foreign Policy. (3)



POLS 346. International Political Economy. (3)



POLS 360. Latin American Culture and Society. (3)



POLS *361. Ancient and Medieval Political Theory. (3)



POLS *362. Modern Political Theory. (3)



POLS 372. Urban Politics. (3)



POLS 373. Politics, Policy and Management in Local Government. (3)



POLS 376. Health Policy and Politics. (3)



POLS 377. Population Policy and Politics. (3)



POLS *400. Advanced Political Topics. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS *410. U.S. Campaigns and Elections. (3)



POLS 441. Civil Wars. (3)



POLS 442. International Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution. (3)



POLS 453. Asian Studies Thesis. (3)



POLS *478. Seminar in International Studies. (3)



POLS 491. Internship. (1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



POLS 495. Junior Honors Seminar. (3)



POLS 496. Undergraduate Seminar. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS 497. Senior Thesis. (3)



POLS 499. Independent Study. (1-3)



POLS 510. Pro-Seminar in American Government and Politics. (3)



POLS 511. Research Seminar in American Government and Politics. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS 512. Topics in Government and Politics. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS 520. Pro-Seminar in Comparative Politics. (3)



POLS 521. Research Seminar in Comparative Politics. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS 525. Pro-Seminar in Latin American Politics. (3)



POLS 540. Pro-Seminar in International Relations. (3)



POLS 541. Research Seminar in International Relations. (3, no limit Δ)



POLS 551–552. Problems. (1-3, no limit Δ; 1-3, no limit Δ)



POLS 570. Pro-Seminar in Public Policy. (3)



POLS 580. Introduction to Empirical Research. (3)



POLS 581. Statistics for Social Research. (4)



POLS 582. Survey of Political Science as a Discipline and a Profession. (1)



POLS 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



POLS 681. Advanced Statistical Analysis for Social Science Research. (3)



POLS 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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Office of the Registrar

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