Political Science (MA)
Program overview
The Master’s in Political Science program offers the opportunity to engage with some of the most pressing and complex challenges facing contemporary politics. As a Master’s student you gain methodological and analytical skills to produce original research and lay the groundwork for a career in research, public administration, private industry, or the non-profit sector.
Our program offers unique opportunities for participation in applied research with leading scholars on themes such as:
· Public/Health/Social Policy
· Security Studies, Environmental Politics, and International Relations
· Diversity/Immigration Studies
· Gender Studies
· History of Political Thought
· Politics of the Global South/Emerging Economies
Students benefit from faculty-led inter-institutional and university research networks, including the Lab for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LLACS), the Center for Research and Expertise in Social Gerontology (CREGÉS), the Center for the Study of Democratic Citizenship (CSDC), EngAge, the Groupe de Recherche Inter-universitaire en Philosophie Politique (GRIPP), the Équipe de recherche sur l’immigration dans le Québec actuel (ÉRIQA), and the Initiative de recherche sur l’imigration (IRI).
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 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)
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)
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3 credits Research Course chosen from: • POLI 601 Research Design (3.00) • POLI 644 Research Methods (3.00)
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6 credits of Concentration Courses in Subfield, with courses 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 |
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| 6 credits 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)
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24 credits: • POLI 696 Master’s Thesis (24.00) Additional Degree Requirements 6 Credits: Approved Elective and Cognate Courses. Two 3-credit 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. |
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.
