Political Science: Political Science MA

Master of Arts

Program Description

The MA program is designed to satisfy the diverse interests of students who wish to pursue a year of graduate study in political science. Students admitted to the MA program may choose from the fields in Political Science and Political Theory. Students whose interests are primarily normative and philosophical may choose the field of Political Theory.

The MA program may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

 

Field: Political Economy of International Development (PEID)

Admissions have been administratively suspended. This field will close on August 31, 2024.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Political Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Cumulative grade average equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in an appropriate bachelor's degree program. Preference will be given to applicants with outstanding academic records and a strong background in political science.

  • Applicants must provide evidence of a satisfactory background in political science and a second social science. Applicants intending to enrol in a master's-level economics course must meet undergraduate prerequisites in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics. A satisfactory background in political science means a minimum of five well-distributed courses including at least one relating to development.

  • Admission is competitive. Enrolment in the program is limited, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All applicants are considered on their individual merit by a departmental admissions committee. Applicants lacking an adequate background in political science may be required to complete additional undergraduate courses before being considered for admission. Such work should be undertaken in consultation with the MA supervisor.

  • Applicants must submit a complete application according to instructions on the department's website.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • POL2408H Political Economy of International Development (0.5 FCE).

    • Either POL2345H Politics of Growth in Developing Countries or POL2400H Theories and Issues — The Politics of Development (0.5 FCE).

    • 0.5 FCE in anthropology, geography, or economics, selected from an approved course list.

    • 1.0 FCE taken from the approved political science course list.

    • A research essay in the political economy of international development within the context of the MA Research Seminars, POL2810Y MA Research Seminar I or POL2811Y MA Research Seminar II (1.0 FCE). Students enrolled in a collaborative specialization with a similar requirement are exempted.

    • 0.5 FCE from either list of approved courses.

  • The equivalent of 1.0 FCE may be taken in a cognate discipline with the approval of the department.

  • Programs in which additional requirements or prerequisites must be met may take longer than three sessions to complete.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

 

Field: Political Science

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Political Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Cumulative grade average equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in an appropriate bachelor's degree program. Preference will be given to applicants with outstanding academic records and a strong background in political science.

  • Admission is competitive. Enrolment in the program is limited, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All applicants are considered on their individual merit by a departmental admissions committee. Applicants lacking an adequate background in political science may be required to complete additional undergraduate courses before being considered for admission. Such work should be undertaken in consultation with the MA supervisor.

  • Applicants must submit a complete application according to instructions on the department's website.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

    • At least 0.5 FCE in Political Theory, which can be any other theory course.

    • At least 0.5 FCE in statistics or research design. POL2503H Thinking Through Research Design and POL2504H Statistics for Political Scientists are among the courses currently offered by the department which meet this requirement.

    • The equivalent of 1.0 FCE may be taken in a cognate discipline with the approval of the department.

    • A research essay (1.0 FCE) within the context of the MA Research Seminars, POL2810Y MA Research Seminar I or POL2811Y MA Research Seminar II. Students enrolled in a collaborative specialization with a similar requirement are exempted.

  • Programs in which additional requirements or prerequisites must be met may take longer than three sessions to complete.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

 

Field: Political Theory

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Political Science's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Cumulative grade average equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in an appropriate bachelor's degree program. Preference will be given to applicants with outstanding academic records and a strong background in political science.

  • Admission is competitive. Enrolment in the program is limited, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All applicants are considered on their individual merit by a departmental admissions committee. Applicants lacking an adequate background in political science may be required to complete additional undergraduate courses before being considered for admission. Such work should be undertaken in consultation with the MA supervisor.

  • Applicants must submit a complete application according to instructions on the department's website.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 2.0 FCEs in Political Theory.

    • At least 1.0 FCE in an area outside Political Theory.

    • The equivalent of 1.0 FCE may be taken in a cognate discipline with the approval of the department.

    • All courses must be chosen in consultation with the MA supervisor.

  • Programs in which additional requirements or prerequisites must be met may take longer than three sessions to complete.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time; 6 years part-time