UNH Graduate School - Political Science / Public Administration

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Application Deadlines

Fall:
February 15th for financial assistance
July 1st
(April 1st recommended)

Spring:
December 1st

Summer:
April 1st

Application Requirements

Test Scores: GRE required for Political Science MA degree. See Special Application Instructions below for Public Administration (MPA).

Special Instructions: GRE or GMAT scores required of MPA applicants wishing to be considered for tuition scholarships or assistantships.
Applicants for part-time study at the Center for Graduate & Professional Studies at Manchester should indicate this in the program and degree section (II) of the application.

New England Regional:
MA: Maine, Vermont

MPA: No

Political Science
and
Public Administration

Horton Social Science Center
20 Academic Way
Durham, NH 03824-2616
603-862-1750
Email:
Web Address: http://www.unh.edu/political-science/

Degree Offered (MA, MPA):

The Department of Political Science at UNH offers two graduate degrees: the Master of Arts in Political Science and the Master of Public Administration. Both provide advanced study in political science, public policy, and public administration for students interested in professions in the fields of government, public service, nonprofit management, electoral politics, education and research or as preparation for Ph.D. programs. Our degree programs give students the flexibility to tailor their coursework to individual interests within a curriculum that ensures a strong foundation in research methodology, management, and other need skills in the professions. Our faculty engage in teaching and research activities encompassing the fields of American politics, political thought, comparative/international politics, and public administration.

Both programs are offered to full and part-time students. The MPA program offers evening courses for working professionals at the Durham and Manchester campuses

Admission Requirements

Applicants are expected to have majored in political science or a related field, or have worked in government or the nonprofit sector and must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Where undergraduate preparation has been insufficient, applicants may be admitted provided that they follow a program of study approved by the chairperson. The GRE general test is required for the MA. MPA applicants are strongly encouraged to include GRE test results with their application, but it is required only for those MPA applicants requesting consideration for a graduate assistantship or tuition assistance awards

Degree Requirements

MA with Thesis Option Degree

Masters students must complete a minimum of 30 credits for the degree: eight courses and a six credit master’s thesis. Of the eight courses, two are required -- Pro Seminar (POLT 900) and Introduction to Statistical Analysis (POLT 905) -- to be taken during the student’s first semester. There are required electives totaling nine credits. They must include two courses in the student’s major subfield (Comparative Politics, International Politics, Political Thought/Theory and American Politics/Public Administration).

Nine credits must be completed at the 800 or 900 level from Political Science courses or related discipline courses. The MA program director or the student’s advisor must provide approval if the course selected is a non Department of Political Science course.

Successful completion of a six credit master’s thesis is required.

MA without Thesis Option Degree

Masters students must complete a minimum of 33 credits for the degree: ten courses and a comprehensive exam. Of the ten courses, two are required -- Pro Seminar (POLT 900) and Introduction to Statistical Analysis (POLT 905) to be taken during the student’s first semester. There are required electives totaling nine credits. They must include two courses in the student’s major subfield (Comparative Politics, International Politics, Political Thought/Theory and American Politics/Public Administration). One course in a minor subfield is also required for this degree option.

Fifteen credits must be completed at the 800 or 900 level from Political Science courses or a related discipline. The MA program director or the student’s advisor must provide approval if the course selected is a non Department of Political Science course.

The comprehensive examination must be successfully completed in the student’s final semester.