Graduate Degree Requirements

Degree Programs

An overview of our degree programs is included below. We offer both M.A. (Option A and Option B) and Ph.D. degrees and Ph.D. students have the option to dual enroll in the M.A. degree. Please also see requirements listed in the general and departmental portions of the Graduate & Professional Catalog and the Office of Graduate Studies Master's Degree Steps to Completion and Doctoral Degree Steps to Completion information. Current students can access the POLS Graduate Studies Manual through the Graduate Student SharePoint site, which includes additional detail on departmental degree requirements.

Thesis M.A. (Option A) Overview

Thesis required; 36 credit hours (30 credit hours of coursework, plus 6 hours for thesis)

Option A is most appropriate for students who are preparing for careers in research and scholarly work or additional academic pursuits beyond the master's degree.

Required courses:
  • POLS 801 (Scope and Methods)
  • POLS 800 (Research Methods)
  • Three core seminars from: American Politics (POLS 820); Political Psychology and Biopolitics (POLS 850); International Relations (POLS 860); Public Policy (POLS 831); Comparative Politics (POLS 879); Political Theory (POLS 880)
  • Two research seminars from: POLS 920 (American), 950 (Political Psychology), 960 (IR), 931 (Public Policy)

Terminal M.A. (Option B) Overview

thesis not required; 30 credit hours

Option B is most appropriate for students pursuing practice-based or professional careers in which the master's degree provides suitable training.

Required courses:
  • POLS 801 (Scope and Methods)
  • POLS 800 (Research Methods)
  • One core seminar from: American Politics (POLS 820); Political Psychology and Biopolitics (POLS 850); International Relations (POLS 860); Public Policy (POLS 831); Comparative Politics (POLS 879); Political Theory (POLS 880)
  • One research seminar from: POLS 920 (American), 950 (Political Psychology), 960 (IR), 931 (Public Policy)
  • One additional core (800-level) or research seminar (900-level) from the above lists.

Ph.D. Degree Overview

90 credit hours

  • Prospective students can apply with a Bachelor's degree in political science (or closely related field).
  • Course Requirements – The requirements listed under M.A. Option A, with courses selected to represent two areas of specialization.
  • Additional required courses for PhD students: POLS 901 - Dissertation Prospectus, POLS 802 - Professional Development, POLS 803 - Teaching Political Science
  • Students also complete 3 additional methods courses to meet UNL's "research tool" requirement. These can be selected from POLS or other related departments on campus (e.g., Psychology).
  • Completion of comprehensive exams in two areas of specialization (American Politics, International Relations, Political Psychology, or Public Policy)
  • PhD students are typically funded as Graduate Teaching Assistants or Graduate Research Assistants and often have the opportunity to teach their own independent courses before graduation

Graduate Specializations

The Department of Political Science also participates in a number of cross-departmental specializations on campus, including those listed below. Students have the option to add one of these to their MA or PhD program, but this is not a requirement. Please see program websites (links below) for more information on specialization requirements.