Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.A. in Political Science
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in Political Science at UB is a 30-credit hour program, typically completed within two to four years. It offers flexibility with two options for completion: the Thesis Option (eight courses plus a 6-credit Master's Thesis) or the Research Project Paper Option (nine courses plus a 3-credit Research Project Paper). There is also a Comprehensive Exam option, though students planning to pursue a Ph.D. are strongly encouraged to choose the thesis or project option. The program aims to build a strong foundation of skills for careers in law, government, and policy, while also fostering intellectual development.
Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum requires students to complete two core departmental courses: PSC 500 (Introduction to Political Inquiry) and PSC 508 (Basic Statistics for Social Science). Additionally, students must take core courses in two of the four primary fields of political science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Public Law. This structured approach ensures a broad understanding of the discipline, while allowing students to specialize in areas of interest. Elective seminars further deepen their knowledge in specific topics, and the culminating thesis or research paper provides an opportunity for original scholarly contribution.
Research Focus: The M.A. in Political Science at UB is oriented towards the scientific study of politics, encouraging students to engage in rigorous research. The department's dynamic faculty is devoted to studying political phenomena across all levels, from local to international. Research interests within the department span the four main subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory and law. Students are expected to design, execute, and interpret political research, including quantitative and qualitative methods, theory building, and hypothesis testing. The program supports students in developing significant research projects under faculty guidance, which can explore contemporary global issues, political ideologies, governance, and conflict resolution.
Industry Engagement: The M.A. in Political Science at UB explicitly prepares graduates for careers in law, government, and policy. While not featuring explicit mandatory internships, the program fosters skills highly valued in these sectors. Students have numerous opportunities for internships, including a Washington, D.C. semester program that places interns in congressional offices or government agencies. Local internship opportunities are also available with New York politicians' offices, government agencies, law firms, and public interest groups. The department's Student Political Society hosts discussions with local politicians and offers insights into various career paths, fostering direct engagement with the political landscape and potential employers. This emphasis on practical application through internships and real-world exposure directly links the academic program to industry opportunities.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Political Science at UB inherently fosters a global perspective through its core fields of study, particularly International Politics and Comparative Politics. Students examine foreign political systems, international relations, and global economic issues, such as trade agreements and international finance. The program's diverse faculty and the university's broad international student body contribute to a rich intellectual environment where global political dynamics are analyzed from multiple cultural and theoretical viewpoints. Coursework often delves into international public-policy responses to environmental challenges, population growth, and global climate change, demonstrating a commitment to understanding interconnected global issues.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
Graduates with an M.A. in Political Science from UB are equipped with advanced analytical, research, and communication skills, making them competitive for diverse roles in public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Policy Analyst/Researcher: Work for think tanks, government agencies (local, state, federal), non-profits, or advocacy groups to research, analyze, and develop policy recommendations on various social, economic, or environmental issues.
Legislative Assistant/Aide: Support elected officials at local, state, or federal levels by conducting research, drafting legislation, managing constituent relations, and preparing briefs on policy matters.
Campaign Manager/Staff: Work on political campaigns at various levels, managing operations, strategy, public relations, and outreach for candidates or political parties.
Lobbyist: Advocate for specific causes, organizations, or industries by influencing legislative processes and engaging with policymakers at different levels of government.
International Relations Specialist/Foreign Service Officer: Work for government departments (e.g., State Department), international organizations (e.g., UN, World Bank), or NGOs focusing on foreign policy, diplomacy, international development, or human rights.
Public Relations Specialist/Communications Director: Apply understanding of political messaging and public opinion to manage communications for political figures, government bodies, non-profits, or corporations with public affairs interests.
Journalist/Political Correspondent: Report on political events, analyze public policy, conduct interviews, and provide coverage of elections, government actions, and international affairs for various media outlets.
Intelligence Analyst: Work for government intelligence agencies (e.g., CIA, FBI) analyzing political, economic, and security developments globally to inform national security decisions.
Non-profit Program Manager/Advocate: Lead or manage programs for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on social justice, environmental issues, human rights, or civic engagement, leveraging advocacy and policy knowledge.
Academic Researcher/Doctoral Student: Pursue a Ph.D. in Political Science or related fields, with the ultimate goal of becoming a university professor, conducting advanced scholarly research, and teaching. The M.A. serves as strong preparation for this path.
