Master of Arts

Online M.A. in Political Science

Study American and international politics.

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Interact with faculty in real-time through synchronous coursework

Customize your curriculum with your choice of electives

Choose a thesis or non-thesis track

Political Science, M.A. Overview

The University of West Florida’s fully online M.A. in Political Science is presented by the Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government. Throughout the program, you will learn to analyze societies and governments by studying politics and current events, public policy and international governments. The program is writing and research intensive, developing skills to serve your future. With a master’s in political science, you could pursue work as a policy analyst, an information or intelligence analyst, a data analyst, a policy researcher, an advisor or strategist, a strategic planner, a non-profit organizer, an educator, political staffer, a military leader or a government official. Many of our students have also gone on to pursue a law degree or doctorate.

After a core of foundational political science courses, you will be able to choose between a thesis and non-thesis completion option. In the thesis track, you can choose nine hours of department-approved electives before writing a thesis project with the help of your faculty advisor. In the non-thesis option, you can choose 15 credit hours of political science electives. The non-thesis track is finished with a comprehensive written and oral examination.

Note: This online degree may not be available in all states. If you do not reside in Florida, review our State Authorization Status to confirm that the program is available in your state.

Note: This is a synchronous course delivery program, meaning that students are required to attend lectures in real-time via the University’s online video conferencing system. The core seminars are offered as synchronous, live sessions and approved department electives are made available either via synchronous course delivery or via recordings. Most classes are scheduled in the evening 1 day per week or during the lunch hour twice per week in order to be compatible with student needs.

Candidates for This Program Include:

Students interested in advanced study in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, applied data analytics and political theory
Students with strong reading, analysis and communication skills seeking higher-level development
Critical thinkers who want to address contemporary problems
Future educators at the secondary or post-secondary level

You Will Be Able To:

Discuss the relevance of political scholarship to the practice of governance and political participation
Articulate and compare theories of political power and institutions
Synthesize theory, evidence and applications to produce an intelligible conclusion or solution to the original question
Present and defend written work orally

Courses and Requirements

The M.A. in Political Science requires a core of 18 credit hours in subjects such as comparative politics, international relations, research methods and theory. Upon core completion, you may choose either a thesis or non-thesis option to complete the degree. Each track includes room for your choice of electives, which allows you to customize your degree to suit your career goals.

: CPO 6006 - Seminar in Comparative Politics
3.0 Credit Hours
Seminar in Comparative Politics
Comparison and analysis of political systems, theoretical and empirical.
INR 6007 - Seminar in International Relations
3.0 Credit Hours
Seminar in International Relations
International Relations as a field study; theory, empirical data, historical development of the field.
POS 6006 - The Study of Politics
3.0 Credit Hours
The Study of Politics
Introduces the graduate study of political science. It concerns "scope" more than "method," and the range is broad, focusing on what political scientists do--teach, research, advise, and serve. Concerns embrace every conceivable level--local, regional, national, cultural, global, planetary.
POS 6045 - Seminar in American Politics
3.0 Credit Hours
Seminar in American Politics
Course content includes an overview of the institutions and processes of the American political system, the trend and tendencies of political behavior, and the diverse theoretical understandings of American government in the world of political science. Focus is on understanding and critically evaluating interpretations of the structure and function of our governmental system, including: the three branches of government, elections, political socialization and civic engagement,representation, political parties, and interest mobilization.
POS 6704 - Political Science Research Methods
3.0 Credit Hours
Political Science Research Methods
Methods and logic of research in political science. POS 6704, Political Science Research Methods provides students with the knowledge and skills required to analyze and critique, as well as design, applied research in public policy and public affairs. The course introduces the student to the enterprise of academic research in these areas, provides the student with knowledge and understanding of the various philosophical and methodological approaches to applied research and allows the student to develop and hone analytical skills. Accepted social science research designs will be introduced and an analysis of threats to the validity and reliability of these different designs will be considered. Sampling theory and statistical analysis will be introduced.
POT 5016 - Seminar in Political Theory
3.0 Credit Hours
Seminar in Political Theory
A survey of several of the seminal works by political theorists of the ancient and medieval period, including Plato, Aristophanes, Xenophon, Aristotle, Cicero, and St. Augustine. Readings will introduce such themes as the classification of regimes, the debate between the poets and the philosophers, the role of the virtues in perpetuation of civic order, the problem of the many and the one, the tension between the philosopher and the city, the problems of justice, the ideas of Nature and human nature, and the status of the gods and / or religion in political life. Offered Fall semester only.
: Department-approved electives (nine credit hours)

POS 6971 - Thesis
6.0 Credit Hours
Thesis
Graded on satisfactory / unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.
Note: Students are required to maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA to be eligible for the thesis option. A match between faculty expertise of a thesis director and intended thesis topic is necessary, in addition to approval from the thesis director and chair.
: Department-approved electives (15 credit hours)

Six credit hours may be taken outside of the discipline.

Non-political science credits require prior approval of the department chair.

Completion of the degree requires successful completion of a chair- & advisor-approved comprehensive exam.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the University of West Florida’s online master’s in political science program, you must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Other criteria for successful admission include:

An institutional undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours of coursework in the baccalaureate degree.

How to Apply

To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for graduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission to the University of West Florida. Review application deadlines. In addition, you must:

Submit official transcripts confirming a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies
Submit a sample research paper

Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at gradadmissions@uwf.edu.

Costs & Financial Aid

Component	Cost	Total*
In-State Tuition	$384.60 per credit hour	$12,691.80‬
In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 6)	$384.60 per credit hour	$10,384.20‬
Out-of-State Tuition	$1,044.24 per credit hour	$34,459.92
90% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver	$478.83 per credit hour	$15,801.39

Tuition waivers cover up to 90% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online campus programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees.

Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to 24 months to complete, depending on transfer credits.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition

Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Active Duty Military

All active-duty members of the U.S. military who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.

UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance

The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.

Military Students

UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.

See How We Can Serve You

Financial Aid

Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.

Learn More About Financial Aid

Career Outcomes

After receiving your Master of Arts in Political Science, you can pursue many careers, including:

* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Political Scientists

Political scientists conduct extensive research and work with large amounts of data. They study political systems, international relations, policies, public opinion and economic trends. Reports and presentations created by political scientists are often the basis for important governmental decisions. In 2018, political scientists earned a median annual salary of $117,570. Available jobs for political scientists are expected to grow 5 percent through 2028.

Postsecondary Teachers

These educators teach students at community colleges, public/private universities and trade schools. In addition to teaching, most postsecondary educators also fulfill administrative, service, advising and research duties. The median annual wage for postsecondary teachers was $78,470 in 2018. The demand for postsecondary educators is expected to grow much faster than average, at 11 percent through 2028.

Survey Researchers

Survey researchers design surveys and analyze data. Surveys are used to collect factual data, such as employment and salary information, or to ask questions in order to understand people’s opinions, preferences, beliefs or desires. Then, survey researchers put together documentation of survey results for their employers. These professionals work in almost every industry, and they make a median annual wage of $57,700.

High School Teachers

High school teachers prepare their students for colleges, universities, trade schools and future employment. They develop lesson plans, teach classes, grade assignments, assess behaviors and strengths, supervise students and collaborate with other teachers. Usually, high school teachers have a specialty in one or more subject areas. These teachers made a median annual salary of $60,320 in 2018, and jobs are expected to grow 4 percent through 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions

: You may either contact your enrollment counselor or log into your MyUWF account to view the status of your application.
: No, you may be enrolled part-time and be eligible for financial aid. Different awards have different enrollment criteria. For example, federal direct loans require at least half-time enrollment. All students are awarded assuming full-time enrollment. If you change enrollment plans, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships must be notified immediately, and we will revise your award if necessary.
: UWF will only accept credits from institutions whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies, and the amount of transfer credits allowed depends on the program. For detailed information, visit our Transfer Students page.
: Unofficial test scores or test score reports are not accepted. However, you may submit them in order to receive a preliminary idea of your chances of acceptance into a program. When the application process has begun, however, you must submit official documents.