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Political Science: Master of Arts (MA)

About

Appalachian’s Master of Arts in Political Science program is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers – in government, non-profits and the private sector – as well as further graduate work at the doctoral level.

Students in our program may choose from one of three concentrations:

  • American Government – Promotes student understanding of the institutions of American politics and the behavior of public and political actors.
  • International Relations/Comparative Politics – Promotes student understanding of the institutions and behaviors of foreign countries and transnational actors, as well as the dynamics of global politics.
  • Environmental Politics and Policy Analysis – Promotes student understanding of the interaction between policy, politics, and economics in the environmental realm.

With a student/faculty ratio of nearly 2 to 1, students receive the individual attention they expect and deserve. We accept students with many different undergraduate degrees; a political science bachelor's degree is NOT a requirement for the program. While we have three basic curriculums, the interests and aspirations of our students are quite diverse and therefore we allow each student, in consultation with the program director, to develop a program of study that meets his or her unique interests and aspirations.

More Information

People

  • Alumnus Profile: Dr. Justin Kirkland ’07
    Alumnus Profile: Dr. Justin Kirkland ’07

    An associate professor of politics and policy in the University of Virginia’s Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics and Frank Batten School for Leadership and Public Policy, Dr. Justin Kirkland says, “my two years at App were essential to all my educational and professional successes.”

  • Alumna Profile: Dr. Summer Forester ’12
    Alumna Profile: Dr. Summer Forester ’12

    Since earning her master’s degree at Appalachian, Summer Forester has finished her Ph.D. at Purdue University, received a Fulbright fellowship to study in Jordan and published papers in three journals: Security Dialogue, Feminist Review and Environmental Politics. She attributes much of this success to Appalachian’s M.A. program and its faculty.

  • Alumna Profile: Christina Wiegand ’13
    Alumna Profile: Christina Wiegand ’13

    With a background in marine biology, Christina Wiegand came to Boone to study environmental politics. In the M.A. program, she developed policy analysis techniques and has worked for the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and Marine Recreational Information Program. She is now a social scientist with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC).

  • Alumnus Profile: Tyler Steelman ’16
    Alumnus Profile: Tyler Steelman ’16

    Tyler Steelman is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in American politics and political psychology. He credits his Appalachian faculty and the research he conducted under their supervision with preparing him for a career in academia.

  • Alumna Profile: Courtney Bradway '15 '16
    Alumna Profile: Courtney Bradway '15 '16

    Courtney Bradway completed her bachelor’s degree in pre-legal studies and continued her education at Appalachian through the Accelerated Admissions Program. After moving to Washington, D.C., she held positions in three congressional offices and is now director of congressional liaison in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at the Department of Health and Human Services.

    Meet more alumni and students

Courses

  • Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog
    • Political Science - American Government Concentration , MA
    • Political Science - Environmental Politics and Policy Analysis Concentration, MA
    • Political Science - International Relations/Comparative Politics Concentration, MA

Application Essentials

Required Entrance Exam: GRE (score must be no more than 5 years old)

Required number of references to specify in the online form: 3

Supplemental Information: Resume (Required upload for application submission); essay addressing academic and professional goals, as well as reasons for applying.

Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission: Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages. With special permission from the Graduate School, a program may admit a limited number of students with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the graduate school minimums.

Graduate School: 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores from the appropriate admission test(s), OR 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the appropriate admission test(s).

Admission to Political Science: Both qualitative and quantitative aspects of applications are reviewed in comparison to the current applicant pool.

Employers

  • American Political Science Association
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
  • Department of Health and Human Services
  • Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Government
  • John Tyler Community College
  • Lanier Law
  • RTI International
  • Peace Corps
  • Prometric
  • South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
  • United States Senate
  • University of Virginia
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Application Deadlines

Spring Admission
November 1

Summer Session 1 Admission
April 1

Summer Session 1 Admission
April 1

Fall Admission
July 1, priority deadline March 15

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session

Why Appalachian?

  • This is the only stand-alone master’s degree in political science within the UNC system.
  • We focus on developing the skills and knowledge students will need to pursue their chosen careers in government, non-profit organizations and the private sector.  In particular, we emphasize enhancement of the following:
    • Information literacy and advanced research skills
    • Analytical and critical thinking
    • Professional writing
    • Quantitative/data analysis
    • Data organization and management
    • Advanced knowledge in one or more substantive areas of political science
    • Practical skills for those interested in campaigns or electoral activities
    • Cost-benefit analysis
    • Survey design and implementation
    • Professional development through internship experience

Location

On campus

Careers

Our graduates have:

  • worked on political campaigns
  • worked for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
  • worked in public affairs
  • worked for investment firms
  • worked for research institutes
  • worked for media firms
  • worked for non-governmental organizations
  • joined the Peace Corps
  • become college professors
  • entered doctoral programs

Contacts

Dr. Tatyana Ruseva
Program Director
rusevatb@appstate.edu
828-262-8238

Department of Government and Justice Studies

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Department of Government and Justice Studies

    Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at gjs.appstate.edu

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated admissions program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

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