Current MA Students
Guidelines & Standards
The MA Student Guide is updated annually and circulated for informational purposes. Every effort is made to provide information that is accurate at the time the Guide is prepared. However, information concerning regulations, policies, fees, curricula, courses and other matters contained in the Guide is subject to change at any time.
Upon completion of coursework and the thesis or research paper, all graduate students must pass an oral comprehensive examination. The examination covers the student’s coursework and thesis or research paper. The Director of Graduate Programs in Political Science must request and obtain authorization before a student may begin their non-thesis/thesis oral examination. After the request for authority is approved, the Graduate College will issue an Authority Report Form. The completed Authority Report Form, including original signatures from all committee members, is due in the Graduate College within one week of the committee’s decision. The oral comprehensive examination is conducted by a three-member committee, which will include the student’s advisor and two other members approved by the Director of Graduate Programs in Political Science. A student preferring a written examination may present a request to the chairperson of his/her committee. The chairperson’s decision in the matter will be final.
Consult the Checklist for Completion of Master’s Degree with Thesis or Checklist for Completion of Master’s Degree, Non-Thesis for specified requirements and deadlines concerning your thesis, non-thesis research paper and oral comprehensive examination.
