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 Wilson, Joseph Graduate Deputy 212-966-4014 25 B'way 7th fl, NY, NY jwilson 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 offer a minimum of 24 credits in courses in political science, government, history, economics, sociology, 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 must complete requirements in one concentration as follows:

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

(1) Credits: Thirty credits, all from 700-level courses, are required. With permission of the deputy chairperson, a maximum of 9 credits for the degree may be from approved courses from other departments, and a maximum of 9 credits for the degree may be from approved graduate courses completed in other universities.

(2) Distribution: Courses are grouped into four areas of study: American government, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. The statistics course does not count for the political theory requirement. 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.

(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 one of the following languages (other than the student's nativelanguage): Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Swahili, or another major international language approved by the deputy chairperson. 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 (see Distribution requirement above) and one in any other area of the student's choice. 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 eighty-page original research project. To be approved for this course, students must present a clear project description and plan for completion to a faculty member, who will approve registration for 791X and direct the thesis. Students with a GPA under 3.50 are not encouraged to write a thesis.

For more information on the comprehensive examination or thesis, see the deputy chairperson.

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 from 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 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.