Political Science

Why Choose a M.A. in Political Science at WMU?

Program

Our MA program centers on the fields of American politics, comparative politics, and political theory. Students take one of two core courses in each field to expose them to the breadth of the discipline. Completion of the program through either a thesis or comprehensive exam gives students the opportunity to tailor the program to fit their interests and career goals.

The MA program enrolls about a dozen full-time and part-time students each year. The size allows us to maintain small classes and increases opportunities for students to interact with faculty members. Students in our MA program come from around the United States and the world.

Our graduate students comprise an important part of the intellectual life of the Department, interacting with visiting scholars, participating on committees, and supporting our undergraduate program. The Political Science Graduate Student Association sponsors its own lecture series and other programs to enhance the complete educational experience of all graduate students. Career development is encouraged through required courses on teaching and research, workshops, and mentoring by faculty members and veteran graduate students.

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Graduate assistants receive a salary/stipend and tuition remission. Assistantships include 20 hours per week assignments in either teaching or research assistance. Additional financial aid opportunities may be available through the Graduate College.

For High School Teachers

The MA program provides opportunities for high school teachers to further their expertise in political science. Nearly all graduate classes are taught in the late afternoon and evening, with limited course offerings in the Spring and Summer sessions. Many of the teachers in our program like the option of taking a comprehensive exam to complete their degrees. (Note: At the present time, WMU's School of Education does not offer an MA leading to initial teacher certification.)

Faculty

The twenty faculty members in the Political Science Department have established solid records of research, teaching, and service. Their books have been published by major university presses, and their articles have appeared in the top general and specialized journals in the discipline. Several have received funding for their research from the National Science Foundation.

Placement

Students in the MA program have a wide variety of career goals. The program is designed to be flexible enough to allow students to tailor their coursework to meet their unique goals. Some of our graduates have pursued careers in government, politics, and journalism. Others have gone into teaching at the community college or secondary level. Still others have gone on for PhDs, either at WMU or other universities.

The University

WMU is a major research university with nearly 30,000 students, including 6,000 graduate students, making it one of the 50 largest universities in the country. WMU is a Carnegie-designated Doctoral/Research-Extensive university, one of only 102 public research universities to be included in this top classification, and is ranked among the top 100 public universities according to U.S. News & World Reports' annual ranking of the nation's over 3,000 colleges and universities. In athletics, WMU is in the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference (MAC).

The Community

Kalamazoo is the fifth largest city in Michigan, with a county population of more than 220,000 residents. The city is located midway between Chicago and Detroit, 140 miles from each, 2.5 hours driving time on I-94. Kalamazoo offers commercial transportation by train, bus, and major airline.

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