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Political Science (MA)

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Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Faculty
Program type
Thesis
Primary campus
Sir George Williams (SGW)
Duration
2 years
Credits
45 credits
Start term
Fall, Winter

Program overview

The MA in Political Science gives you the opportunity to address some of the most pressing questions in contemporary politics. As political thought shapes the world we live in, you will be encouraged to think about the relations between individuals and political communities from an analytical and critical perspective. Your research will be applicable to academia, public administration, private industry and NGOs. You will have access to inter-institutional research centers and research networks, such as the Institute for Research on Migration and Society, engAGE, Latin American Studies Network of Montreal (RÉLAM), and the Groupe de recherche interuniversitaire en philosophie politique de Montréal. Other topics currently being studied by our students include security studies and international relations, the history of political thought and emerging economies.

Students also have the opportunity to shape the future of immigrant integration research with Bridging Divides—a program offering generous funding to tackle key societal challenges and drive innovation in immigrant integration.

Program structure

Degree Requirements

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.

Please see the Political Science Courses page for course descriptions.

Political Science MA (45 credits)

3

credits of Core Courses in Area of Concentration:

 

POLI 603 International Relations Theory (3.00)
POLI 626 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3.00)
POLI 632 Seminar in Political Theory (3.00)
POLI 636 Theories of Public Policy and Public Administration (3.00)
POLI 638 Seminar in Canadian and Quebec Politics (3.00)
‌ 

     
3

credits chosen from:
 

POLI 601 Research Design (3.00)
POLI 644 Quantitative Methods (3.00)
‌   

     
6

credits of Concentration Courses chosen from one of the following subfields in which the student intends to write a thesis:

International Politics (MA)

Comparative Politics (MA)

Political Theory (MA)

Public Policy and Administration (MA)

Canadian and Quebec Politics (MA)

     
6credits of Approved Elective Courses chosen from any of the 600-level courses in political science, or from cognate courses offered in related disciplines. For cognate courses, approval of the Director is required. In some cases approval for registration in cognate courses must be obtained from the department involved       
3

credits:

 

POLI 694 Thesis Proposal (3.00)
‌   

     
24

credits:

 

POLI 696 Master’s Thesis (24.00)
‌   

     

Canadian and Quebec Politics (MA)

POLI 606 Policy Making and the National Purpose in Canada (3.00)
POLI 611 Judicial Politics and Policy (3.00)
POLI 615 The Politics of Citizenship in Canada (3.00)
POLI 618 Canadian Public Administration (3.00)
POLI 624 Public Administration of Intergovernmental Affairs (3.00)
POLI 638 Seminar in Canadian and Quebec Politics (3.00)
POLI 645 Indigenous Peoples and the State (3.00)
POLI 684 Special Topics in Canadian and Quebec Politics (3.00)
 

Comparative Politics (MA)

POLI 604 Comparative Public Policy (3.00)
POLI 621 Political Leadership and Decision Making (3.00)
POLI 622 Comparative Public Administration (3.00)
POLI 626 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3.00)
POLI 629 Critical Perspectives in Development (3.00)
POLI 639 Development Policy and Administration (3.00)
POLI 645 Indigenous Peoples and the State (3.00)
POLI 650 Resistance, Informality and Violence (3.00)
POLI 651 Public Security and Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean (3.00)
POLI 657 Nationalism and Ethnicity (3.00)
POLI 670 Latin American Politics and Society (3.00)
POLI 681 Special Topics in Comparative Politics (3.00)

International Politics (MA)

POLI 603 International Relations Theory (3.00)
POLI 605 Global Environmental Politics (3.00)
POLI 616 Theories of Foreign Policy (3.00)
POLI 649 Gender and Global Politics (3.00)
POLI 659 International Organizations (3.00)
POLI 660 European Union (3.00)
POLI 662 International Political Economy (3.00)
POLI 665 International Human Rights (3.00)
POLI 687 Special Topics in International Politics (3.00)

Political Theory (MA)

POLI 623 Ethics, Morality and Justice (3.00)
POLI 625 Policy Discourse of Biotechnology (3.00)
POLI 628 Ethics and Values in Public Administration (3.00)
POLI 631 Political Texts (3.00)
POLI 632 Seminar in Political Theory (3.00)
POLI 643 Rational and Public Choice (3.00)
POLI 652 Science, Technology and Power (3.00)
POLI 654 Concepts of the State (3.00)
POLI 658 Authors of the Political Imagination (3.00)
POLI 685 Special Topics in Political Theory (3.00)

Public Policy and Public Administration (MA)

POLI 604 Comparative Public Policy (3.00)
POLI 605 Global Environmental Politics (3.00)
POLI 606 Policy Making and the National Purpose in Canada (3.00)
POLI 607 Ageing and Public Policy (3.00)
POLI 609 Mechanics of Briefing Notes (3.00)
POLI 611 Judicial Politics and Policy (3.00)
POLI 612 Public Policy and Business Cycles (3.00)
POLI 616 Theories of Foreign Policy (3.00)
POLI 618 Canadian Public Administration (3.00)
POLI 621 Political Leadership and Decision Making (3.00)
POLI 622 Comparative Public Administration (3.00)
POLI 624 Public Administration of Intergovernmental Affairs (3.00)
POLI 625 Policy Discourse of Biotechnology (3.00)
POLI 628 Ethics and Values in Public Administration (3.00)
POLI 630 0rganization Theory (3.00)
POLI 633 The State and Immigration (3.00)
POLI 634 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3.00)
POLI 636 Theories of Public Policy and Public Administration (3.00)
POLI 639 Development Policy and Administration (3.00)
POLI 640 Politics of Immigration (3.00)
POLI 645 Indigenous Peoples and the State (3.00)
POLI 648 Feminist Policy Studies (3.00)
POLI 652 Science, Technology and Power (3.00)
POLI 674 Legislative Studies (3.00)
POLI 683 Special Topics in Public Policy and Administration (3.00)
 

Admission requirements

Admission Requirements

  • Undergraduate honours degree or the equivalent is required with a minimum GPA of 3.30.
  • Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.

Application process

Application deadlines

FALL

February 1 (Canadian resident)
January 15 (International)

WINTER

September 1 (Canadian resident)
June 1 (International)

SUMMER

n/a

Priority will be given to complete applications submitted by the deadline. In some cases, programs may continue to accept applications as long as there is space available.

International students: Considering the waiting period involved in meeting the entry requirements to Canada and Quebec, we strongly encourage international applicants to apply early and submit supporting documents prior to the deadline.

Tuition & funding

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees of the program may depend on your student status, among other key factors. Estimate these costs based on the most common situations.

Awards and funding

Funding packages are generally available for students in thesis-based programs. They come in the form of awards, teaching and research assistantships are offered at the time of admission to most students to allow them to focus on their research and studies. Research and thesis-based students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria. No separate application is required.

The Quebec and Canadian governments offer a number of competitive graduate scholarships. We encourage you to apply for these awards at the same time you are preparing your application.

Out-of-province students

Get $10,000 in special funding for thesis master's programs. Learn more

Other programs of interest

Public Policy and Public Administration (MA)

Take the opportunity to gain valuable training in Public Policy and Public Administration. Secure a paid internship with government agencies in Ottawa and pursue a career in the public service and non-governmental organizations

Department

Faculty

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