MA Political Science at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Arts program in political science offers a variety of areas of specialization within and between the four main subfields of political science --- American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory --- with particular strengths in ethnoreligious dynamics, women and politics, political violence, human rights, political psychology, political economy and Latino politics.* Faculty are also active in collaborative interdisciplinary research at ASU and with scholars at other universities; many have won major grants and awards.

What you will study

30 credit hours and a thesis, or 30 credit hours including the required capstone course (POS 597) Required Core Course (3 credit hours) POS 503 Empirical Political Inquiry (3) Other Requirements (6 credit hours) focus area course (3) POS 603 Polimetrics I or second focus area course for political theory (3) Electives (15 or 18 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) POS 597 Capstone (3) or POS 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information Students who select the thesis option must submit a written thesis and hold an oral defense.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for research or applied careers in political science in government, nonprofits and the private sector. Career examples: campaign consultant, campaign strategist, data analyst, lobbyist, research specialist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts personal statement writing sample three letters of recommendation list of political science courses taken proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The personal statement should be one to three pages and describe the areas of political science the applicant wishes to study, postgraduation goals, and why the School of Politics and Global Studies is the best fit.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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