GRADUATE PROGRAM

The Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science offers both the M.A. and M.S. degrees in Social Sciences with a concentration in Political Science. The program serves students seeking to further their training in the scientific study of political activity for the purpose of pursuing careers in teaching, government service, interest group politics or as preparation for doctoral studies. The program is designed to allow students to complete their substantive course work and exit requirement (Master's Thesis) in two years.


Admissions Financial Assistance Requirements
Courses Offered More Information

Admissions Requirements


The Department of Political Science graduate program is open to all qualified graduates of universities
and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the program,
the applicant must:


1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
2. Have adequate preparation in political science and show potential to undertake
advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
3. Have earned an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA)
at least 3.0 or equivalent in the last sixty (60) credit hours of undergraduate study.
4. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and receive a minimum cumulative score of 1500 on all three sections or 1000 on English and Quantitative.
5. Take the TOEFL examination if an international applicant. A minimum score
of 600 (paper test) or 247 (computer test) must be achieved.

Transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be submitted with the application.
When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of a student's undergraduate or
graduate study, an updated transcript showing all courses and grades must be provided prior to initial
registration at NDSU.

Three letters of recommendation are required before action is taken on any application. Personal
reference report forms are available from The Graduate School.

Applications should be submitted directly to The Graduate School before April 1 of the upcoming
academic year.


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  • Financial Assistance

    Both research and teaching assistantships are available. Applicants are considered on the basis of scholarship, potential to undertake advanced study and research, as well as financial need. To be considered for an assistantship, a completed Graduate School application, official transcripts, three letters of reference and GRE scores must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than April 15. If applicable, TOEFL scores must also be submitted by that date.
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    Master's Degree Requirements

    At least 30 semester credits of graduate work are required. Students must choose two of the department's four areas of specialization and, ultimately, will conduct original research culminating in a written master's thesis under
    the guidance of the major adviser. Students must meet the following requirements:
    6 credits of graduate methods courses (in consultation with advisor)
    6 credits of 700-level political science courses
    6 credits of additional political science courses (600- or 700-level)
    6 credits of additional 700-level courses (offered in political science or another discipline)
    6-10 6 credits of Political Science 798 (Master's Thesis) plus a final oral defense.

    Additional requirements are as follows:
    12 credits of graduate courses completed must be within 2 of the 4 political science areas of expertise
    All political science graduate students must complete PolS 720 (counts toward the distribution above)

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    Courses Offered


    620 Political Behavior-Executive-Legislative Process (3 credits)
    Behavioral study of executives and legislators with emphasis on examination of empirical data.

    621 Political Behavior - Political Parties (3 credits)
    Behavioral study of political leaders with emphasis on examination of empirical data.

    622 State and Local Politics (3 credits)

    625 Environmental Policy and Politics (3 credits)

    630 Constitutional Law - Civil Liberties (3 credits)
    An examination of First Amendment rights including freedom of speech, press, religion, association, and assembly. Due process and equal protection concerns are also addressed.

    631 Constitutional Law - Criminal Justice (3 credits)
    Study of Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights. Emphasis is placed on the law of arrest, search and seizure, self incrimination, and right to counsel.

    642 Global Policy Issues (3 credits)
    This course analyzes the impact of planetary limits to growth, increasing globalization of the world economy, and changing control over resource systems on global politics.

    645 Ethnic Conflicts (3 credits)

    644 International Law (3 credits)

    650 Politics of Developing Countries (3 credits)

    651 Politics of Industralized Countries (3 credits)

    652 Comparative Political Economy (3 credits)

    700 Qualitative Methods (3 credits)
    See Sociology 700 for course description.

    701 Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
    See Sociology 701 for course description.

    720 Theoretical Perspectives to the Study of Political Science (3 credits)


    The following variable credit courses are offered:


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    For more information, contact...

    Dr. Robert Wood
    Phone: (701) 231-6129
    E-mail: robert.wood@ndsu.edu

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    Webmaster: Thomas Ambrosio
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    Last Modified: 25 August 2004