COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Political Science at University of New Hampshire is a graduate program designed to build advanced expertise in political analysis, research methods, and public policy evaluation while preparing students for careers in government, policy, international affairs, advocacy, and doctoral study. The program requires a minimum of 35 credits and can be completed through either a thesis or non-thesis pathway, both of which are structured to combine core training with flexible specialization across major areas of political science.All students begin with foundational training that includes the POLT 800 Political Science Pro-Seminar, typically taken in the first year, which introduces graduate-level research expectations, analytical frameworks, and professional development in political science. Students also complete a required quantitative methods course such as PPOL 908 Quantitative Methods for Policy Research, which builds skills in statistical analysis, data interpretation, and empirical research design. These core requirements ensure students develop the methodological tools needed for rigorous political inquiry.In the thesis option, students complete 10 courses total, including up to 8 credits of POLT 899 Master’s Thesis, which involves original research and a formal defense. The remaining six courses are selected from areas such as American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, environmental policy, political economy, and regional studies like Middle Eastern or South Asian politics. The non-thesis option also requires 10 courses but replaces the thesis with a capstone experience, which may be either POLT 995 Capstone Research Project or POLT 990 Internship Capstone, depending on the student’s professional goals. This pathway emphasizes applied experience or a substantial research project rather than a formal thesis.Across both tracks, students can take specialized seminars and electives such as elections in the United States, international political economy, comparative environmental politics, feminist political theory, and global governance. Students may also take approved courses from other departments within the College of Liberal Arts to broaden their expertise. Faculty mentorship plays a central role in guiding course selection, research direction, and professional preparation.Overall, the program combines theoretical understanding, quantitative and qualitative research training, and applied policy analysis, enabling graduates to pursue careers in public administration, policy analysis, international organizations, consulting, law, advocacy, and academic research.