Degree Overview

The Department of Political Science at Western Illinois University offers an intensive program of study and guided research to qualified applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree. The department curriculum is designed to provide graduate students with a broad and solid foundation in political science suitable for building careers in teaching, government service, politics, community development, and continued study at the doctorate level.

Graduate Assistantships

All graduate students are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships, which are awarded through a competitive, merit-based process. Assistantships provide a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend for the academic year. Graduate assistants are assigned to work with faculty members on a variety of tasks, including research assistance, classroom assistance or grading. Some students may have the opportunity to tutor undergraduates.

Applications for graduate assistantships are considered throughout the year. However, preference will be shown to students who apply for assistantships by April 15. Applicants for assistantships are encouraged to discuss in their personal statements any skills they may have (computer or language skills, for example) that may be relevant to graduate assistant tasks of importance to the department.

Faculty

The graduate faculty in the Political Science department are experts in a variety of fields and have doctorates from some of the finest universities in the world. Several have received awards recognizing their excellent teaching, research, and service to the University. Many members of the faculty have experience working in the political world in addition to their academic credentials and research. Faculty work closely with graduate students in small classes and when advising graduate research projects and theses.

View the specific degree requirements and course descriptions in the Graduate Catalog.

Careers

The graduate program in Political Science provides educational and career opportunities in at least five broad fields: (1) government employment, (2) legal training, (3) teaching, (4) international relations, and (5) special interest groups.

Government Employment

Roughly one-sixth of the labor force in the United States works for the government, either at the local, state, or federal levels. The Political Science graduate program can prepare students for many governmental positions, including administrative officer, budget analyst, city manager, city planner, environmental management specialist, and criminal investigator. In addition, the MA degree in Political Science provides preparation for persons seeking positions with interest groups that represent diverse issues before the government.

Careers in Law

A degree in Political Science is a typical career path component in preparation for law school. Many Political Science undergraduate and graduate students attend law school upon completion of their degrees. Indeed, as a curriculum, students in law schools have long ranked Political Science as the number one most popular major.

Careers in Teaching

Political science is an integral part of the curriculum of high schools, colleges, and universities. Moreover, in most states, courses in American government and civics are mandated in all public and private schools within their respective jurisdictions. It is not surprising that many of our graduates are teaching at the secondary level, while others, after completing graduate degrees, teach in colleges and universities.

Careers in International Relations

For students interested in careers in international and comparative politics and business, opportunities are expanding as countries become increasingly interdependent. Our graduates have been successful in securing positions with the U.S. State Department, the Department of Defense, international organizations, and multinational corporations.

Admission Requirements

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 OR 3.0 or higher GPA for the last two years (60 s.h.) of undergraduate work
• Submission of a writing sample in English of at least several pages in length such as a short essay, a research paper, or a statement outlining academic or career goals. (For a student applying for a graduate assistantship, completion of the autobiographical sketch and the statement on reasons for desiring an assistantship will be sufficient)
• At least three letters of recommendation, two of which must be academic references
• A substantial number of political science courses at the undergraduate level. Students who fail to meet this requirement may be required to successfully complete undergraduate deficiency courses with a grade of B or better.

Integrated B.A./M.A. in Political Science

The integrated B.A./M.A. program allows students enrolled in the political science major to complete both their Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in a five year period. The first three years of study will involve the University's general education requirements and undergraduate-level coursework in the major and minor. During their senior year, students will be able to take up to three courses (nine semester hours) that will count towards both degrees. During the fifth and final year of the program, students finish the remaining 21 hours required for the M.A. Students may be eligible for graduate assistantships for their fifth year. Integrated degree students get a jump start on their graduate degree and eventual career. Additionally, students save on tuition and fees, and they can lock in the tuition rate in the graduate catalog from when they first continuously enroll at WIU.

Requirement for Enrollment

• A minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA
• A minimum 3.25 major GPA
• Writing sample
• Three letters of recommendation, two of which must be academic references

Refer to the Graduate Studies catalog to learn more.

Advising

Casey LaFrance, Professor and Graduate Program Advisor

Office: Morgan Hall 413
Phone: (309) 298-1055
Email: TC-LaFrance@wiu.edu