Master of Arts in Political Science - Legislative Studies
http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/political-science/degrees.html#ma-ls
Faculty
Professors: Thomas Brunell, Anthony M. Champagne, Marie I. Chevrier, Harold
D. Clarke, Euel Elliott, Edward J. Harpham, Robert C.
Lowry, Marianne C. Stewart
Associate Professors: Linda Camp Keith, Gregory S. Thielemann
Assistant Professors: Patrick Brandt
The mission of the Master of Arts in
Political Science - Legislative Studies degree is to offer pre-professional
instruction for students interested in positions as legislative staff,
political consultants, or other careers in professional politics. Students will
receive instruction that moves beyond the standard coursework in American and
Objectives
Students in the Master of Arts in
Political Science - Legislative Studies program will:
•Demonstrate knowledge of subnational
political institutions and processes in the
•Acquire detailed practical knowledge of the workings of the
•Acquire detailed knowledge of common
campaign practices in the
•Develop competency in the designof
public opinion surveys.
•Demonstrate the ability to analyze
survey data using methods and tools appropriate for the practice of politics.
•Demonstrate proficiency in skills required for at least one
position in the practice of politics by successfully completing an internship.
Facilities
Students
have access to the computing facilities in the
Students
also have access to the non-partisan Center for the
Study of Texas Politics. The Center develops opportunities for North
Texans to interact with
Admissions
Requirement
The
University’s general admission requirements are discussed here.
The Master of Arts in Political
Science seeks applications from students with a baccalaureate degree from an
accredited university or college. Although applications will be reviewed
holistically, in general, entering students have earned a 3.0 undergraduate
grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and a combined verbal and quantitative
score of at least 1100 on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). Standardized
test scores are only one of the factors taken into account in determining
admission. Students should also submit all transcripts, three letters of
recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining the applicant’s background,
education, and professional objectives. Applications are reviewed by the
Political Science Program Committee in the
Undergraduate
students who are interested in completing their undergraduate degrees while
simultaneously taking graduate courses in the M.A. in Political Science -
Legislative Studies program are expected to meet the School’s "fast-tracking"
requirements.
Prerequisites
While
there are no specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from
exposure to undergraduate courses in the Economic, Political and Policy
Sciences, statistics, and research design. In cases where undergraduate
preparation is not adequate, students may be required to take additional course
work before starting the master's program.
Transfer Policies
Students who have previous graduate work pertinent to the
requirements of a master’s program may be given up to 12 hours of transfer
credit, and the hours of coursework required for the degree will be reduced
accordingly. Students desiring to transfer graduate courses thought to be
equivalent to core courses may be required to demonstrate competency through
examination. The award of such transfer credit must be consistent with the
University’s "Transfer of Credit" policy.
Degree Requirements
The
University’s general degree requirements are discussed here.
Students
seeking a Master of Arts in Political Science - Legislative Studies must
complete at least 30 semester credit hours of work in the program, must receive
a grade of B- or better in all required classes, and must maintain at least a
3.0 grade point average to graduate.
The curriculum has three components:
(1) Fifteen semester
hours of required coursework
(2) Nine semester
hours of prescribed electives
(3) Six semester hours
of internship.
Required
Courses (15 hours)
All
students should complete the core courses as soon as possible.
EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
PSCI 6324 Local and State Government and Politics
PSCI 6330 Campaigns and Media Relations
PSCI 6364 Public Opinion and Survey Research
One
of the following:
PSCI 6340
PSCI 6341
Prescribed Electives (9 hours)
Three additional courses at the 6000 level on political and
civic organizations, bureaucracy and public policy Congress, or executives,
legislatures and policy.
Internship
(6 hours)
Each
student’s degree program concludes with a six-credit hour internship over the
summer semester. Internships will be done in the state legislature in