Master's Program

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To apply to the University, please use the CSU Graduate Application link. Click the term you are applying for.

Please be aware that the University deadline may not coincide with that of the Department (see “Departmental Application” below). Please check the CSUN Admissions and Records or CSU Graduate Application websites for more information. Additionally, please note that the CSUMentor online application will not be available after May 31, 2017. For more information, visit the Admissions and Records Graduate Applicants website.

For University Admissions and Applications Information, contact Admission and Records at (818) 677-3799 or send an email from the Contact Page.

The application deadlines for the Graduate Program are April 1st for Fall admission and October 15th for Spring admission.

Application for Graduate Admission ($30 Application Fee)

At the above application site, you will be asked to submit the following:

1. Transcripts of all college-level undergraduate and graduate work done at all institutions attended (Unofficial transcripts from the institutions are acceptable).
2. A one-page resume showing dates of education and work experiences.
3. A one-page statement of purpose written by the candidate indicating objectives for graduate study.
4. A sample of the applicant’s writing ability (example: an academic paper from an advanced undergraduate course).

You will be also asked to provide the email addresses of two referees who will write a letter of recommendation for you. Each referee will be contacted separately by email to submit the letter online. GRE not required.

The minimum requirements for a candidate to be admitted under classified status are:

1. a BA or BS degree from an accredited university or college in Political Science or related fields, or completion of “minimum equivalency”* as defined in CSUN Catalog;
2. a GPA of at least 3.25 in all undergraduate and graduate Political Science courses; and
3. a GPA of at least 3.25 in the last 60 units of all course work.

1. a BA or BS degree from an accredited university or college in Political Science or related fields, or completion of “minimum equivalency”* as defined in CSUN Catalog
2. a GPA of at least 3.0 in all undergraduate and graduate Political Science courses
3. a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 units of all course work

Minimum Equivalency Requirements

• Completion of all lower-division requirements in Political Science required of the major at CSUN
• Completion of a course in research methods. * Completion of an upper-division course in political theory (411, 412, 414).
• Completion of an upper-division course in 3 additional areas of Political Science (i.e., American Government, Comparative Government, International Relations, Public Law, Public Administration).
• Completion of an upper-division pro-seminar in one of the 3 areas selected above.

Exceptional Cases that may not meet all the given requirements for minimum equivalency will be considered by the Graduate Committee on petition by the applicant. Specific reasons for the waiver of minimum equivalent requirement must be offered.

Conditionally classified students must change their status to classified before they apply for the Master’s Degree and Diploma by fulfilling the following requirements.

1. If the student had a GPA lower than 3.25 in all undergraduate and graduate Political Science courses or in the last 60 units of all course work at the time of admission to the program, the student will need to achieve a GPA of at least 3.25 in at least 9 units in Political Science at CSUN with at least 6 units in 500 level courses.
   1. No credit or consideration will be given during the reclassification period for POLS 490, 499, or 599.
2. Completion of all other minimum University requirements for admission to graduate standing.

Students denied at least conditional status by the Department, if granted admission by the University, may attempt to make up deficiencies and to reapply for admission. However, no course work taken under this status will count toward the 30 units required for the master's degree. The following courses may not be used to remove deficiencies in GPA or course requirements: POLS 490, 499, and 599.

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• Core Requirements (18 units)
  • POLS 570 Seminar in Political Theory (3)
  • POLS 571 Seminar in Methodology (3)
  • Seminar in American Politics (6 units)
  • Choose two of the following seminars:
    • POLS 540B-J Seminar in American Government and Politics (3)
    • Seminar in International Relations and/or Comparative Politics (6 units)
  • Choose two of the following seminars (Courses taken in the core curriculum must not overlap with courses in the Global Politics Option.)
    • POLS 522A-G Seminar in International Relations (3)
    • POLS 530A-J Seminar in Comparative Government (3)

• Global Politics Option Courses (12 units)
  • Choose four additional courses (12 units)
    • POLS 522A-J Seminar in International Relations and/or
    •  POLS 530A-J Seminar in Comparative Politics.
    • A maximum of two courses (6 units) can be substituted with the following 400-level courses:
      • POLS 410
      • POLS 420A-H
      • POLS 421
      • POLS 422
      • POLS 423
      • POLS 426
      • POLS 428
      • POLS 429
      • POLS 430A-Z
      • POLS 432A
      • POLS 435B
      • POLS 436A
      • POLS 438
      • POLS 439A
      • POLS 439B
      • POLS 464
      • POLS 471B
      • POLS 471C
      • POLS 480
      • POLS 481
      • POLS 448
      • POLS 494I/A
  • Culminating Experience (3 units)
    • POLS 698D Graduate Culminating Project (3)

The 300-level courses in Political Science do not carry credit for the master’s degree in Political Science.
All 500-level graduate seminars in Political Science carry credit for the master’s degree.

Total Units Required for the M.A. Degree: 33