Political Science

About This Degree

Students in the graduate program in political science at USU become experts in the topics they study related to government, public policies, political processes, and more as they work with award-winning faculty that foster classroom environments where engaging discussion and research are required.

The program welcomes students with a wide range of career goals. Some students wish to continue on to positions in government, lobbying, or with think tanks, while others are preparing to enter the Foreign Service or international political careers. Many students also are accepted to top PhD programs at other universities.

The MA degree requires students to gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages. The MS degree requires students to incorporate a quantitative competency into their research in lieu of a foreign language. A course plan will be developed for each student with their committee in their first year.

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ADVISING

At a Glance

College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department: Political Science Department

USU Locations:

Logan campus

Program Requirements

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Career And Outcomes

Career Opportunities

This degree is designed to prepare students for careers as policy analysts in government or in the private sector, and as professional political scientists (much of the curriculum is tailored for entry into doctoral programs), who teach and conduct research at the college or university level.

Job Outlook

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Advising

Robert Ross

Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies
Email: robert.ross@usu.edu
Phone: 435-797-0969

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USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission

Admission Requirements

The department will consider applications from students with undergraduate degrees in subjects other than political science. Acceptance in these cases may require fulfilling certain course prerequisites.

Application Requirements:

Complete the online application
Pay the $55 application fee
Score at or above the 50th percentile on the GRE
Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Deadlines

The department accepts new students each fall and has the following application deadline:

Fall semester - February 1
Applicants who submit applications after the February 1 deadline may still be admitted to the program; however, they will not be considered for financial assistance.

Program Requirements

Students may complete up to three credits of internship work. The department can help students find internship opportunities, or they are free to arrange their own. The internship is not required for graduation, however.

Plan Options

Students can receive the MS or MA by pursuing the following option:

The Plan B option, which requires the production of a paper or creative work of art and is expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards as a thesis.

Financial Aid

The department normally appoints a number of teaching assistants, each with about $10,000 annual stipend. Most appointments are for one year, but renewable for a second if performance is satisfactory. Research assistantships and government assistantships are sometimes available as well.

A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website.