COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Political Science at California State University, Sacramento requires a total of 30 units and is structured to provide students with a strong foundation in political analysis, research, and specialized study. The program begins with core courses in political science methods and academic writing, ensuring students develop essential research and communication skills. Students are then required to take courses across key subfields, including political theory, international relations or comparative government, and California government and its political environment, allowing them to gain a broad understanding of political systems and ideas. In addition, students select one more course from any of these subfields to further strengthen their knowledge base. Beyond the core requirements, students must choose a concentration in one of three areas: political theory, California and its political environment, or international relations/comparative government. This concentration consists of additional coursework that enables deeper specialization aligned with the student’s academic interests or career goals. The program also allows some flexibility, as students may take approved graduate or selected upper-division undergraduate courses, as well as limited independent study or research units, with guidance from the graduate coordinator. The final component of the program is the culminating requirement, where students enroll in a capstone course and choose between completing a master’s thesis based on original research or passing a comprehensive examination in their area of emphasis. Overall, the program combines theoretical study, research training, and specialization to prepare students for careers in public service, education, policy analysis, or further doctoral study in political science.