POLSC-MA - Political Science (MA)

Master of Arts in Political Science

The Political Science department does not offer a terminal M.A. degree. An M.A. degree may only be pursued in combination with a doctoral degree from another department within Stanford University or with an advanced degree from one of Stanford University's professional schools (Schools of Law, Medicine, Business). Students interested in pursuing the M.A. should discuss the application requirements with the Student Services Manager in Political Science.

The department does not offer a coterminal master's degree.

Adding the M.A. Degree

While formal application to the M.A. program is not required, applicants from outside of the Political Science department must:

1. Complete the M.A. Course Plan and submit it to the Political Science Student Services Manager via email or in person in Room 100, Ground Floor of Encina Hall West. Please note that a SUNet ID is required to access this form.

2. Submit the Graduate Authorization Petition through Axess.

3. After all the requirements for the masters have been completed: submit the Master's Program Proposal to the Political Science Student Services Manager via email or in person in Room 100, Ground Floor of Encina Hall West.

4. Apply to graduate (in Axess, before the quarterly deadline) in the quarter they wish to confer the degree. The degree is not conferred automatically.

For additional information, students may visit the Political Science office in Encina Hall West Room 100 or phone (650) 723-1318.

Per policy (G.AP 3.2.1 Residency Policy for Graduate Students), all of the coursework for a MA must be completed at Stanford.

Academic advising by department faculty is a critical component of graduate students’ education. The Political Science department is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the adviser and the advisee. Both the adviser and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

As a best practice, students and advisers should periodically discuss advising expectations to ensure mutual understanding. Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

Additionally, the program adheres to the advising guidelines and responsibilities listed by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and in the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin. Academic advising by Stanford faculty is a critical component of all graduate students' education and additional resources can be found in the Policies and Best Practices for Advising Relationships at Stanford and the Guidelines for Faculty-Student Advising at Stanford.

The Political Science department does not offer a terminal M.A. degree. An M.A. degree may only be pursued in combination with a doctoral degree from another department within the University or with an advanced degree from one of the University's professional schools (i.e., Schools of Law, Medicine, Business).

The Director of Graduate Studies is available to provide guidance on course selection and course planning. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Director of Graduate Studies to schedule a meeting to discuss advising expectations. This should happen when the student begins the M.A. degree program and annually as needed.

M.A. students should also discuss how the M.A. degree and Political Science coursework supports their primary doctoral degree with their doctoral program adviser.

Pursued in combination with a doctoral degree, the master's program furthers students' knowledge and skills in Political Science.  This is achieved through completion of courses in three subfields, and experience with independent work and specialization.