The Graduate Program in Political Science is a liberal arts program based upon superior undergraduate preparation. It requires a higher level of achievement and places greater emphasis on independent study and research than does the baccalaureate Program. Department evaluation and approval is required for admission to either Classified or Unclassified Graduate Standing. Please see additional information regarding Classification standing in the Program Requirements listed below and in the Graduate Programs section of this Catalog.

Areas of specialization offered are as follows:

American Government and Politics; Comparative Government; International Relations; Methodology; Political Theory; Public Policy and Administration; and Public Law.

A. Admission Requirements for Classified Status

1. Completion of University requirements for admission to graduate standing;
2. Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Political Science or completion of “minimum equivalence”;
3. Two letters of recommendation;
4. GPA of at least 3.25 in all undergraduate and graduate Political Science courses;
5. GPA of at least 3.25 in last 45 units of all coursework; and
6. Written statement by applicant indicating career objectives.

B. For Conditional Status

1. Completion of minimum University requirement for admission to graduate standing;
2. Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Political Science or completion of “minimum equivalency”;*
3. Two letters of recommendation;
4. GPA of at least 3.0 in all undergraduate and graduate Political Science courses;
5. GPA of at least 3.0 in last 45 units of all coursework; and
6. Written statement by applicant indicating career objectives. Exceptional cases that may not meet all the given requirements for minimum equivalency will be considered by the Graduate Committee on petition by the applicant. Specific reasons for the waiver of minimum equivalent requirement must be offered.

* Minimum Equivalency in Lieu of Political Science Major

1. Completion of all Lower Division requirements in Political Science required of the major at CSUN;
2. Completion of a course in research methods;
3. Completion of an Upper Division course in political theory (411, 412, 414);
4. Completion of an Upper Division course in three additional areas of political science (i.e., American government, comparative government, international relations, public law, public administration); and
5. Completion of an Upper Division proseminar in one of the three areas selected above.

Courses Acceptable for the Master’s Degree

300-level courses in Political Science do not carry credit for the Master’s Degree in Political Science. All 400-level courses except POLS 490, 498 and 499 carry credit for Master’s Degree in Political Science. All 500-level graduate seminars in Political Science carry credit for the Master’s Degree.

C. Reclassification from Conditional to Classified Status

1. Completion of at least 9 units in Political Science at CSUN with at least 6 units in 500-level courses;
   1. No credit or consideration will be given during the reclassification period for POLS 490, 498, 499, 598 or 599,
   2. GPA of at least 3.25 in these 9 units;
2. Units taken beyond the 9 units will not count toward the Master’s Degree Program until the student formally petitions to be reclassified and is given Classified status; and
3. Completion of minimum University requirements for admission to Graduate Standing.

Students denied Conditional Classified status by the Department, if granted admission by the University, may attempt to make up deficiencies and to reapply for admission. However, no coursework taken under this status will count toward the 30 units required for the Master’s Degree. The following courses may not be used to remove deficiencies in GPA or course requirements: POLS 490, 498, 499, 598 or 599.

D. Degree Requirements

1. Minimum of 30 units of approved graduate work comprised of:

1. POLS 570 (Seminar in Political Theory) and POLS 571 (Seminar in Methodology)
2. Two graduate seminars in each of the three areas of Political Science (Comparative Politics, American Politics or International Relations).
3. 6 additional units that may be at the 400-level. POLS 411, 412, 414 and 471D are not acceptable.

2. Comprehensive Examination in two areas of Political Science selected by the student in consultation with an advisor (POLS 597).

Foreign Language/Statistics Recommendation

In cases where appropriate to the student’s fields of specialization and academic career goals, competence in a modern foreign language or in statistics may be recommended by the student’s primary subject advisor and Examination Committee, in consultation with the student.

Total Units Required for the M.A. Degree: 30