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 Hall
Durham, NH, 03824
(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 needed 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 M.P.A. program offers evening courses for working professionals at Durham and Manchester.

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 M.A. M.P.A. applicants are strongly encouraged to include GRE test results with their application, but it is required only for those M.P.A. applicants requesting consideration for graduate assistant or tuition assistance awards.

Degree Requirements

M.A. Degree Requirements
Masters students must complete a minimum of 30 credits for the degree: eight courses and a 6 credit master’s thesis. Of the eight courses, two are required seminars-Pro-Seminar (POLT 900) and Introduction to Statistical Analysis (POLT 905)-to be taken during the student’s first semester. The remaining six electives must include two courses in the student’s major subfield, one course in one of the three other subfields, and electives in political science or a related discipline (with adviser’s approval). Working closely with their thesis director and adviser, students can tailor coursework to specialize in a particular area, or to broaden their expertise in the discipline overall.

M.P.A. Degree Requirements
Master of public administration students must complete a minimum of 36 or 39 credits and a comprehensive examination for the degree. Required courses include:

• 4 Core Curriculum courses in foundations, organization and management, statistical analysis in public administration, and the Capstone internship or project (POLT 905, 906, 909, and the 908 Capstone). 12-15 credits

• 3 Management Core Curriculum courses in finance and budgeting, human resources, labor relations, management, or legal and policy-making environments (POLT 907, 911, 912 or 915, 914). 9 credits

• Electives in public administration, political science, or related discipline with adviser’s approval. 15 credits

The Capstone internship or project is the culmination of the student’s graduate work, applying academic knowledge with practical experience. Students without prior public or nonprofit sector professional experience are required to complete the internship component of the Capstone.