Master of Arts (MA) Thesis-based in Political Science

In addition to the Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department normally requires the following:

a) A minimum of 15 units of coursework, which must include the following:

• at least 9 units of graduate courses in Political Science;

• at least 6 units and no more than 9 units must be in the student's Primary Field (one of Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Indigenous Politics, International Relations, or Political Thought);

• a maximum of 6 units as reading courses;

• course (see Advanced Credit);

• and up to 3 units of graduate courses in any area;

b) A written thesis (maximum 30,000 words).

c) Thesis Oral Examination.

Advanced Credit

The applicant must make Advanced Credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not normally be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma.

If graduate-level courses are taken as post-BA courses, the Graduate Program Director may allow the student to claim up to 6 units at our graduate level.

Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The department of Political Science will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course offered by the Political Science Graduate Program.

Students may not choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students’ eligibility for internal awards.

Credit for Undergraduate Course

Applicants with knowledge of research methods equivalent to course may be given a course exemption in course. Course exemption exempts students from taking this course, but they are still required to complete the total number of units required for their degree. Applicants must make course exemption requests as part of the admission process.

Time Limit

Expected completion time is two years for the thesis-based MA program. Maximum completion time is four years.

Supervisory Assignments

An incoming student for the thesis-based program must have a proof of agreement to supervise from one or more faculty members in the student’s proposed area of thesis research. Admission will not be granted without proof that adequate supervision is available during the applicant’s studies. The selection of an eligible Permanent Supervisor is made by mutual agreement between the student, the faculty member, and the Graduate Program Director. A permanent Supervisor should normally be appointed by the end of April of the first year of registration. At the time of appointment, the Permanent Supervisor should be currently active in research in an area related to the student’s interest.

Thesis Examination

Scheduling of the Examination

All members of the Supervisory Committee (if applicable) must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee

The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department by January 15.