M.A. in political science
HEGIS code 2207
NYS SED program code 02108

The political science master's program offers students a choice of three concentrations: political science, international affairs, or urban politics and administration.

The political science concentration combines the theories and methodologies of political science with the opportunity to specialize in one of four fields: American politics, comparative politics, political theory, or international relations.

The international affairs concentration is designed to prepare students for professional and academic careers in international affairs through programs of study tailored to their specific interests and goals. Courses range from broad overviews to seminars on specific world regions, and are combined with independent study classes and master's thesis courses in close collaboration with faculty members. To foster professional preparation, the program also publishes student work in the department's Political Science Journal and places students in internships as well as study and work opportunities abroad.
The urban policy and administration concentration, given at the Brooklyn College Graduate Center for Worker Education campus at 25 Broadway in lower Manhattan, provides theoretical and practical understanding of the criminal justice system, labor organizations, racial and ethnic politics, public policy processes, and New York City government. All political science courses in this concentration are taught by an experienced faculty with a broad range of connections to government agencies, community-based organizations, and labor institutions. Students develop skills in policy analysis, organizational theory, and the application of statistical concepts applied to administrative and management abilities. A wide range of internships are available. Students complete the program with a master's seminar. Graduates find professional opportunities in city, state, and federal government agencies; international agencies; not-for-profit and community-based organizations; unions; foundations; hospitals; and in the private sector. Alumni have also pursued careers in electoral politics. Students have continued their studies in doctoral programs and law schools. The program publishes Working USA: Journal of Labor and Society, a leading professional peer-reviewed academic journal found in hundreds of universities and libraries.

Program/Department Advisors

Advisor Name Title Phone Location Email Office Hours Ungar, Mark Graduate Deputy 718-951-5306 3407 James Hall mungar brooklyn.cuny.edu call/email for appointment

Building codes:    A-Whitehead;   B-Boylan;   J-James;   N-Ingersoll;   NE-Ingersoll Extension;   R-Roosevelt;   RE-Roosevelt Extension;   WEB - West End Building

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Matriculation requirements
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Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and preferably completed at least eight courses in political science, or related fields.

General matriculation and admission requirements of the Division of Graduate Studies are in the section "Admission."

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Degree requirements
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Students choose one of the following three concentrations described below: Political Science, International Affairs, or Urban Policy and Administration.

I. Political Science: The requirements for the concentration in political science are:

1. Credits: Thirty credits, all from 700-level courses. With the permission of the deputy chairperson, a maximum of 12 credits may be transferred from graduate courses in other departments or other universities.

2. Distribution: Courses are grouped into four main areas of study: American government (Courses 720-759), comparative politics (Courses 770-789), international relations (Courses 760-769), and political theory (Courses 700-719, excluding 700 and 717). A minimum of 9 credits must be from one of these areas, which will be the student's specialization, and a minimum of 3 credits from each of the other three areas. Note: The statistics course (700) does not count for the political theory requirement.

3. Statistics or Language: Students must either take an approved course in statistics, in political science or another graduate program, or pass a language examination in a major language approved by the deputy chairperson other than the student's native language. Three credits are given for a statistics course; no credits are given for the language examination.

4. Comprehensive Examination or Thesis: After completing a minimum of 21 credits, students must either take a comprehensive examination or write a thesis. The examination consists of two essay questions: one in the student's area of specialization and one in any other area. Students have a choice of questions in each area but must pass both to pass the examination. No credits are given for the comprehensive examination. The thesis, taken as course 791X for 3 credits, consists of an 60-80 page original research project based on a proposal approved by a faculty member who will advise the thesis. Students with a GPA under 3.50 are not encouraged to write a thesis.


II. International Affairs: The requirements for the concentration in international affairs are:

(1) Courses: Ten 700-level courses (30 credits) with the following distribution:

1. Modern International Politics (POL 761X) and two other international affairs courses (POL 760X - 769.1X).
2. Comparative Politics (POL 772X) and one other Comparative Politics course (770X - 789.1X);
3. Statistics (POL 700X or equivalent in other departments) or Methodology (POL 716X);
4. Political Theory (POL 701X - 719X, excluding 717X), International Internship (POL 792X) or Independent Study (794X).
5. Thesis (POL 791G), based on individual projects and group seminars.
With department approval, up to 12 credits (four courses) may be from other departments or graduate programs.

(2) Exams: Students take a pass/fail comprehensive exam and a foreign language exam.

III. Urban policy and administration: Thirty-three credits are required for the concentration in urban policy and administration. The following courses are required: Political Science 700X, 717X, 740X, 751X, and 757X. The remaining 21 credits required for the degree may be chosen from courses in the Political Science Department. With permission of the deputy chairperson, a maximum of 9 credits may be in courses in related departments. Political science courses at the 25 Broadway Worker Education Campus in Manhattan will be enhanced and augmented from a labor relations perspective and academic focus. Each student's program of study must be approved by the deputy chairperson for the Worker Education Center.

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CUNY Ph.D.
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The City University of New York offers a doctoral program in political science. General information about CUNY Ph.D. programs is in the chapter "About Brooklyn College."

The Political Science Department offers courses at Brooklyn College that may be credited toward the CUNY Ph.D. with permission of the doctoral program. For information, students should contact the CUNY Graduate Center.