About the Program

Politics is about getting the family car on Saturday night--which as you know was as much about how to influence your parents to let you have the car as it was having money to put gas in the tank. Politics is about whether you get a break on your taxes as much as it is about whether you can smoke marijuana legally. Politics is about immigration policy, climate change, and whether you can drink a beer legally at 18 (you cannot at this time). Politics is about your healthcare insurance, the cost of your tuition, and when you get your last unemployment check.

Politics is about activities that serve your interests and the interests of others. It may occur at the local, state, national, and international levels. It might be pursued in the private sector as well as the public. Generally speaking, politics is a story that never ends, never fails to entertain, and always has losers and winners.

The Master of Liberal Studies degree with a concentration in Political Science can help you understand these activities and stories at an advanced level. What decisions does the government make that affect your life? What would happen if the parties involved had more skills and resources to pursue their interests through politics? What if the decisions were made differently? Who wins and who loses? The goal of the MLS Political Science concentration is to help you gain the skills, knowledge, and perspective to better understand the implications and answers to all these questions and many more. Join us to understand how politics impacts your world and how you can impact the world of politics.

Program Overview

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MLS Core Courses
IDS 801	Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies	1
IDS 802	Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective	3
IDS 803	Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society	3
IDS 804	Information Literacy	3
Concentration
Select six of the following:		18
POLS 611G	Policy Analysis
POLS 612G	The Administrative Process
POLS 616G	Public Personnel Management
POLS 620G	Constitutional Law
POLS 621G	American Civil Liberties
POLS 631G	American Foreign Policy
POLS 664G	Political Behavior
POLS 672G	Readings in Political Science
POLS 675G	Seminar in Political Science
Culminating Experience
Select one course from the following:		3
IDS 820	Projects in Liberal or Professional Studies
Course approved by MLS Coordinator
Masters Degree Comprehensive Examination/Assessment
Masters Degree Comprehensive Examination/Assessment (Concentration)
Total Hours		31

Graduate School Graduation Requirements

All Graduate degrees¹ require:

• Maintain a C or higher in all coursework.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. (Refer to program)
• A minimum of 30-75 hours of Graduate course work. (Refer to program)
• Comprehensive Examination or equivalent assessment is required. (Master of Liberal Studies requires a Comprehensive Examination and Concentration Exam)
• Degree completion within 8 years.

¹

Refer to degree program for any additional requirements.

Note for MLS and MPS degree concentrations:

Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) programs are administratively housed within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences but are listed in the catalog within the academic unit related to the relevant concentration area for ease in navigation.

Master of Professional Studies (MPS) programs are administratively housed within the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences but are listed in the catalog within the academic unit related to the relevant concentration area for ease in navigation.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
IDS 801	Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies	1
IDS 802	Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective	3
POLS 611G	Policy Analysis	3
POLS 620G	Constitutional Law	3
	Hours	10
Spring
IDS 803	Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society	3
IDS 804	Information Literacy	3
POLS 612G	The Administrative Process	3
Directed Electives		3
	Hours	12
Second Year
Fall
POLS 631G	American Foreign Policy	3
POLS 664G	Political Behavior	3
POLS 675G	Seminar in Political Science	3
Masters Degree Comprehensive Examination/Assessment
Masters Degree Comprehensive Examination/Assessment (Concentration)
	Hours	9
	Total Hours	31

Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.

To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.

The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.

Program Admissions Requirements

This concentration requires a 2.5 GPA on the last 60 undergraduate credit hours. The personal statement (1-2 pages) should be inspired by the following questions:

• What does it mean to engage in graduate study?
• What are three of the most crucial qualities needed to be a graduate student?
• Describe for us something you're especially proud of having achieved in your life.

One of the two required letters of recommendation should be an academic reference.

The program has a rolling admissions process, and will review completed applications as they are submitted.