Political Science (MA)
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 Center for Immigration Policy Evaluation, 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.
Program details
- 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 Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
3 credits – Core Course in Area of Concentration
POLI 603 - International Relations Theory (3 credits)
POLI 626 - Seminar in Comparative Politics (3 credits)
POLI 632 - Seminar in Political Theory (3 credits)
POLI 636 - Theories of Public Policy and Public Administration (3 credits)
POLI 638 - Seminar in Canadian and Quebec Politics (3 credits)
3 credits – Research Course
POLI 601 - Research Design (3 credits)
POLI 644 - Research Methods (3 credits)
6 credits – Concentration Courses in Subfield
Chosen from the subfield in which the student intends to write a thesis: Public Policy and Administration, Canadian and Quebec Politics, International Politics, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory (6 credits).
6 credits – Approved Elective or Cognate 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 (6 credits).
3 credits – Thesis Proposal
POLI 694 - Thesis Proposal (3 credits)
24 credits – Master’s Thesis
POLI 696 - Master’s Thesis (24 credits)
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of purpose (2 pages, single spaced) should:
- provide a synopsis of your research interests and goals
- identify your particular fields of interest (i.e., intended fields of specialization)
- explain how an MA in Political Science from Concordia University will help you achieve your goals
- identify at least one tenured or tenure-track faculty member with whom you would like to work. NB: students do not have to find a supervisor prior to admission
- highlight how your research interests fits with ongoing research in the department
- explain what makes you a good candidate for the program
- Writing sample. You may submit any of the following as your writing sample:
- introduction and one chapter of your honours thesis;
- a research paper from an upper-level (i.e., senior) seminar for which you received an “A” grade;
- a conference paper for which you are the sole author;
- a publication for which you are the sole author (e.g., in an undergraduate journal)
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
Examples of recent concentration and elective courses
- Aging and Public Policy
- Development Policy and Administration
- Ethics, Morality and Justice
- Feminist Critiques of Public Policy
- Gender and Global Politics
- Immigration Politics and Policy
- Indigenous Peoples and the State
- International Organizations
- Judicial Politics and Policy
- Nationalism and Ethnicity
Consideration for Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students. Awards may be merit or need based. Examples include:
- The Faculty of Arts and Science Fellowships
- Concordia Merit Scholarship
- Concordia University Graduate Fellowship
- John W. O'Brien Graduate Fellowship
- Out-of-Province Fee Remission Awards
- Power Corporation of Canada Graduate Fellowship
We also encourage students seeking admission to our program to apply for funding from external sources in the final year of their undergraduate studies (e.g. FRQSC, SSHRC).
Research assistant positions also exist for funded research. Individual faculty members determine if work opportunities are available based on their own research budgets.
Please also consult Concordia’s graduate funding page and Financial Aid and Awards.
- Canadian and Quebec Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Political Theory
- Public Policy and Administration
Learn more about graduate faculty research interests.
