Political Science (MA)

• 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.
• Additional Admission Requirements: Students who do not have the necessary background in political science, as well as in the concentration which they have chosen, may be required to take specific undergraduate courses in addition to the regular program. In certain cases, applicants may be required to complete a qualifying program in order to be eligible for admission to the graduate program

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)

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.

Learn more about our affiliated Research Units and  faculty research interests.