Program-at-a-Glance (Graduate)
Completion Time:
2 years *pending hours enrolled
Special Requirements:
No GRE Required
Elevate your career with our fully online Political Science Master’s Degree. Through this student-focused degree, you will gain knowledge in all areas of Political Science and learn relevant research methodologies. From domestic and international viewpoints, you’ll explore the crucial connections between government, culture, and economics, preparing you to be a knowledgeable and engaged global citizen.
Our Political Science faculty is renowned for its commitment to teaching and student success. They are dedicated to providing you with the support and resources you need to excel academically and professionally. Experience a dynamic online learning environment that values intellectual diversity and encourages thoughtful discussion.
Looking for more? A dual Master of Arts in Political Science and Library and Information Science is also available to complete fully online.
Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!
What can you do with a political science master’s degree?
A Master’s Degree in Political Science can lead to local, state, and federal government jobs, as well as opportunities in higher education on the instructor or administration side.
We are here to help! Our enrollment coaches are standing by to help you take the next step.
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Course Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Conducting Research in the Social Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
|
Data Analysis and Statistics in the Social Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
|
Special Problems
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Thesis
|
6 hrs. |
|
Research in Political Science
|
6 hrs. |
- Elective courses as decided between the student and their advisor. Must include two 700-level seminars. 15 hrs.
Dual MA/MLIS Course Requirements (61 hrs)
Dual MA/MLIS requires thirty (30) hours in Political Science and thirty-one (31) hours in Library and Information Science.
Political Science requirements (30 hours):
PS 698 – Thesis (3 hrs. required)
SSGS 500 – Conducting Research in the Social Sciences
The Library and Information Sciences requirements in this program are covered in the School of Library and Information Sciences section of this Bulletin.
24 hours in political science, chosen in consultation with the graduate coordinator in three of the following areas:
Public Administration
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Science, Technology and Politics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar in Public Administration
|
3 hrs. |
Public Law
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
United States Constitutional Law
|
3 hrs. |
|
Administrative Law
|
3 hrs. |
|
International Law
|
3 hrs. |
|
United States Supreme Court and Civil Liberties
|
3 hrs. |
|
Feminist Political Theory and Jurisprudence
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar in Public Law
|
3 hrs. |
American Government and Politics
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Political Socialization
|
3 hrs. |
|
Urban Politics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Politics and Environment
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Legislative Process
|
3 hrs. |
|
Women and Politics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Political Parties
|
3 hrs. |
|
Mississippi Government
|
3 hrs. |
|
The American Presidency
|
3 hrs. |
|
Southern Politics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Internet Politics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar in United States Government
|
3 hrs. |
International Relations
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
International Law and Organization
|
3 hrs. |
|
Comparative Foreign Policy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar in United States Foreign Relations
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar in International Relations
|
3 hrs. |
Comparative Government and Politics
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Comparative Studies in European Politics
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Political Systems of Great Britain and the Commonwealth
|
3 hrs. |
|
Politics and Protests
|
3 hrs. |
|
African Politics and Culture
|
3 hrs. |
|
Revolutions and Democracy in Latin America
|
3 hrs. |
|
Political Development and Global Justice
|
3 hrs. |
|
Latin American Political and Economic Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Human Rights
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar in Comparative Government and Politics
|
3 hrs. |
|
Political Development
|
3 hrs. |
Research Methods
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Conducting Research in the Social Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
|
Data Analysis and Statistics in the Social Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
The advisor for this program is Dr. Troy Gibson. You can reach Dr. Troy Gibson at troy.gibson@usm.edu.
To find pricing information, visit our pricing page. For financial aid information, view our financial aid page. For detailed tuition information, visit our business services page. To view all the funding resources available to graduate students, please visit the Graduate Admissions Funding Resources page.
Students take, on average, 2 years to complete the degree, but it is truly dependent on the student.
For our Political Science master’s program, there are both thesis and non-thesis options:
Thesis option: Students must complete a thesis and an oral defense of the thesis. Students must register for 6 hours of PS 698 – Thesis.
Non-thesis option: Students must complete a special project. They must register for 6 hours of PS 691 to complete their research paper under the supervision of a professor in their major area and produce a substantial research paper equal in quality, but not in scope, to a thesis.
No, students with any bachelor’s degree will be considered.
There is a mixture of both asynchronous and synchronous classes in this program. That means for some classes you will have to join live at a certain time, and others will be more of a complete at your own pace.
The Political Science master’s program only admits once a year for the Fall semester. Our students go through the degree in a cohort model, which fosters community within the program.
No, the GRE is no longer required for admission into this program.
No, online students pay resident tuition. For information about pricing, click here.
Visit online.usm.edu/military for more information on how Southern Miss can serve you and your needs. We will help you with funding and scholarship information, admissions, and course enrollment.
No, your degree is held to the same high level of rigor no matter the type of delivery, including online, so there is no label on online students’ degrees.
The University of Southern Mississippi provides a Senior Citizen Tuition Scholarship Program for Mississippi residents age 62 or older. Legal residents of the State of Mississippi age 62 or older may enroll tuition-free in a maximum of six (6) semester hours for the fall or spring term. Courses on all campuses (Online, Hattiesburg, and Gulf Coast) are available to senior citizens on a space available, first come first serve basis. This scholarship program applies to fall and spring courses only.
To inquire about the availability of this scholarship, contact the registrar’s office.
Yes, the University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For the complete accreditation statement and additional information, please visit www.usm.edu/university/accreditation.php.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the Admission Requirements and Procedures, the master’s program applicant must present the following items:
- The cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) from all institutions attended, as well as the trend of grades over the course of the undergraduate degree program, is considered. The school looks especially at the final two years of an applicant’s undergraduate program. An overall GPA of at least 3.0 during the final two years of undergraduate study is preferred.
- Applicants must submit at least two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s academic achievements and qualifications for graduate study and should be submitted to the graduate school, preferably from faculty members.
- Applicants must submit a letter of interest.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit a writing sample.
- Members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
- Applicants who do not meet the criteria for regular admission may, at the school’s discretion, be given conditional admission to the program. The requirements for removing the conditional status will be stated at the time of admission.
The graduate admissions committee makes recommendations on all admissions. Admissions decisions to all graduate programs are competitive and are made based upon the totality of the student’s admissions packet. A 3.0 overall undergraduate degree GPA.
Program Requirements and Academic Policies
Requirements for the Master of Arts degree include thirty (30) semester hours of coursework (21 hours of 600-level or higher), including SSGS 500 and SSGS 501, and three hours of PS 692 in preparation for Comprehensive Exams. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.
Thesis option: Students must complete a thesis and an oral defense of the thesis. Students must register for 6 hours of PS 698 – Thesis.
Non-thesis option: Students must complete a special project. They must register for 6 hours of PS 691 to complete their research paper under the supervision of a professor in their major area and produce a substantial research paper equal in quality, but not in scope, to a thesis.
For other requirements and expectations, see General Degree Requirements and General Academic Information.
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