Alex Michalos, Professor Emeritus
Gary Wilson, Professor and Chair
Michael Murphy, Professor
Boris DeWiel, Associate Professor
Fiona MacDonald, Associate Professor
Jason Lacharite, Senior Instructor
Website: www.unbc.ca/political-science
A Master’s degree in Political Science offers students the opportunity to undertake advanced research and coursework across the different sub-fields of Political Science. The MA in Political Science can serve as a gateway to further graduate study leading to a PhD, or a pathway to a rewarding career in local government, the federal or provincial civil service, or the private sector. Each student’s program of study is designed individually to meet their scholarly interests. Prospective applicants should consult the faculty profiles on the Department of Political Science website to determine whether the focus of their research aligns with existing areas of faculty interest and expertise.
Admission
Entrance to the MA in Political Science is highly competitive, and only applicants with a record of excellence gain admission. In addition to the admission application requirements outlined in General Admission of the Graduate Academic Calendar, applicants to the program must have obtained a minimum GPA of 3.33 (B+). To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a recent four-year baccalaureate in Political Science that includes a significant number of upper-division (3rd and 4th year) Political Science courses. Exceptional students with a recent four-year baccalaur ate from a related discipline will be considered at the discretion of the program.
The MA Political Science requires that students demonstrate advanced English language skills. For applicants who do not meet the exemptions indicated in the Admissions and Regulations, applicants must meet the English Language score requirements published on the Program Requirements section of the Graduate Admissions website.
Application deadlines can be found online at www.unbc.ca/admissions/graduate. The Political Science MA Program accepts students for the September Semester.
For additional information about graduate admissions or to download application materials, go to the Office of Graduate Administration website at www.unbc.ca/graduate-administration.
Requirements
Students may choose either a Thesis, a Project, or a Course-based Option.
Thesis Option
The requirements for the thesis option are four graduate courses, a thesis proposal, and a 12 credit-hour thesis. At least three of the four required graduate courses must be from the discipline of Political Science and must include POLS 702-3 Scope and Methods of Political Science or a suitable alternative chosen in consultation with the student’s supervisor.
Project Option
The requirements for the project option are five graduate courses and a 9 credit-hour project. At least three of the five required graduate courses must be from the discipline of Political Science and must include POLS 702-3 Scope and Methods of Political Science or a suitable alternative chosen in consultation with the student’s supervisor.
Course-based Option
The requirements for the course-base option are eight graduate courses. At least five of the eight required graduate courses must be from the discipline of Political Science and must include POLS 702-3 Scope and Methods of Political Science or a suitable alternative chosen in consultation with the student’s supervisor, and POLS 795-3 Major Research Paper, which is overseen and graded by the student’s supervisor.
Course Offerings
| POLS 603-3 | Social and Health Policy in the Context of Health and Health Care |
| POLS 613-3 | Democracy and Diversity |
| POLS 614-3 | Comparative Federalism |
| POLS 615-3 | Comparative Northern Development |
| POLS 616-3 | Gender and Politics |
| POLS 627-3 | Ethics and Public Affairs |
| POLS 672-3 | Seminar in Political Philosophy |
| POLS 698-3 | Special Topics in Political Science |
| POLS 702-3 | Scope and Methods of Political Science |
| POLS 704-3 | Independent Study |
| POLS 795-3 | Major Research Paper |
| POLS 797-9 | Graduate Project |
| POLS 799-12 | Master's Thesis |
Updated: March 25, 2025