Political Science
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Political Science prepares students for a wide range of careers. In addition to preparation for teaching, research and doctoral-level work in Political Science, students with an M.A. in Political Science typically find careers in law, government service, political parties, interest groups and associations, business, journalism, and private or non-profit organizations. The M.A. program is designed both to broaden the student's knowledge of the core area of Political Science - American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory - and to permit specialization. Courses are small, and both thesis and non-thesis options are available.
The Master of Public Administration program is designed to prepare students for administrative careers in public and nonprofit agencies and to enhance the professional competence of both pre-career and mid-career students. Class size is typically 15 students, which provides a high degree of interaction between faculty and students. The program emphasizes developing management generalists and provides a range of areas of technical specializations. Four options of study are available:
1.) General Administration
2.) International Development
3.) Local Government Administration
4.) Nonprofit Administration
Students may, with approval of the program director, specialize in other areas. The M.P.A. requires 36 credits and a portfolio review.
The Joint Program in Law and Public Administration is designed for law students preparing for careers in government service requiring specialized legal knowledge. The heart of the program is a reciprocity agreement between UM's School of Law and the Graduate School, which allows the M.P.A. and J.D. degrees to be completed in a shorter period of time than if they were taken consecutively. Students interested in this program must apply to the School of Law and Graduate School separately.
| Program |
Degree Offered |
| Political Science |
M.A. |
| Public Administartion |
M.P.A. |
| Public Administartion (Joint Law Program) |
M.P.A./J.D. |
Degrees Offered
M.A. Political Science
Requirements
Thesis: 30 credits, comprehensive field exams and oral thesis defense. Comprehensive study (non-thesis): 36 credits, comprehensive field exams and three formal research papers.
M.P.A. Public Administration
Requirements
36 credits, an optional internship and a portfolio review.
Admissions
1. Application Materials and Deadline
Admission is open. Applicants will be considered while there is still room in the program.
Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on this web site.
In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, the Department of Political Science also requires:
- A 300 word statement concerning reasons for seeking an M.A. or M.P.A. degree.
- Three letters of recommendation (We prefer electronic submission through the Admission Application. If the electronic method is used there is no need to send paper copies to the department.)
- If you are applying for the on-line M.P.A. program send an e-mail to Karen.Boice@mso.umt.edu and Jeffrey.Greene@mso.umt.edu notifying them that you are applying for the on-line program.
2. Program Requirements for Admission
- Admission is based upon undergraduate GPA, letters of reference and GRE scores.
- Applicants for the M.P.A. degree may substitute the LSAT or GMAT for the GRE.
- Applicants for the M.A. degree may substitute the GMAT for the GRE.
- The Department of Political Science accepts GRE scores with a test date that is within the past five years OR verifiable GRE scores if the test date is over five years old.
- Applicants for the M.A. degree (but not the M.P.A. degree) must have the equivalent of 30 undergraduate credits in political science.
3. Assistantship Application and Deadline
Applicants must have applied and been admitted by March 15th.
New students should indicate interest in an assistantship position on the application form and in the letter of application; and should complete the Graduate Assistantship Application Form. To be eligible for a teaching assistantship (TA), new applicants must be fully admitted to the MA or MPA program by the TA application deadline in March; currently enrolled students in the MA and MPA programs in full or provisional status are also eligible. If selected for a teaching assistantship, a student must be fully accepted into the respective program by the term in which the awarded teaching assistantship begins. There are six assistantships in the Department of Political Science. Teaching assistants are used to assist professors teaching large, introductory political science classes in American government, international relations, comparative government, and political theory. TAs are expected to have some background in one or more of these areas.
Full-time teaching assistants work approximately 20 hours per week for 15 weeks each semester of the academic year. In addition to their salaries, teaching assistants receive a tuition fee waiver (in-state or out-of-state) and a waiver of the registration fee. Other fees charged by the University are not included in the TA fee waiver package. Assistantships are awarded for only one year. Both current and incoming graduate students are encouraged to apply. Teaching assistants are required to register for a minimum of 6 credits each semester.
Send applications to:
Karen Boice
Department of Political Science
University of Montana
32 Campus Drive
Liberal Arts Building #350
Missoula, MT 59812
4. International Students
The TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB exam can substitute for the GRE when applying to the M.P.A. program only. M.A. applicants must take the GRE.
Financial Assistance
For additional information about financial assistance, see the Financial Information section on this web site.
Scholarships
Susan K. Grebeldinger Scholarship: Open to both undergraduate and graduate students with a career or scholarship interest in legal studies. The scholarship is awarded each year in the amount of $1,000.
Maude and Grover Waldron Scholarship: Open to both undergraduate and graduate students with a career or scholarly interest in state and local government and politics. The annual award averages $500.
Application procedure: Contact Department Secretary at (406) 243-5202.
Department website
Campus Location
Liberal Arts 350
Federal Express Delivery - Street Address
32 Campus Drive #5832
Missoula, MT 59812-5832
(406) 243-5202
Fax: (406) 243-4076
Graduate Coordinators:
Master of Arts in Political Science
Ramona Grey
(406) 243-2721
ramona.grey@umontana.edu
Master of Public Administration
Jeffrey Greene
(406) 243-6181
jeffrey.greene@umontana.edu
Program information last updated: 9/12
