Requirements for the M.A. degree can presently be fulfilled in either of two ways. The first option requires successfully completing 24 semester hours of graduate study in political science (8 courses), demonstrating competence in one foreign language, writing a satisfactory thesis, and passing an oral examination on the thesis. The department expects that this option will normally be chosen by students who do not plan to continue toward the Ph.D.

The second option requires successfully completing 36 hours of graduate study in political science (12 courses), demonstrating competence in one foreign language, and passing a general preliminary examination in a major field.

Accelerated M.A.

Tulane and Newcomb undergraduate majors in Political Science may apply for early admission to the Master’s program after completing 75 credit hours. Students normally apply to the program in their junior year.

Superior students could reasonably expect to earn an M.A. in one additional year beyond the conferring of their undergraduate degree by completing 12 semester hours (4 graduate-level courses) by the end of their senior year. (Appropriate graduate-level courses satisfactorily completed at any time during an admitted student’s undergraduate career would be counted towards the M.A.).

In the year following the completion of their undergraduate degree, such students would take an additional 12 semester hours and write and defend a satisfactory thesis. Also before graduating with the M.A., the student would demonstrate reading proficiency in a foreign language.

Joint J.D./M.A. in Political Science Program

The M.A. can be earned concurrently with a Tulane Law degree. Law students in the program develop useful research and analytical skills while deepening their knowledge of political processes and global affairs.

There are two ways for a dual-degree student to fulfill the Master’s requirements. Students who write and defend a Master’s Thesis complete fifteen semester hours (5 courses) in political science; three relevant electives from the Law School; and demonstrate a reading proficiency in one foreign language. Other students complete 27 semester hours (9 courses) in political science; three relevant electives from the Law School; demonstrate a reading proficiency in one foreign language; and pass one of the four general preliminary examinations given to students working towards the doctorate. Under either option, the Law School and the Department of Political Science accept toward their separate degree requirements 3 courses of appropriate work from the other field. With the concurrence of the Political Science Department’s Graduate Studies Committee, students may apply towards these requirements in political science course work a limited number of semester hours in related fields of study.

Students may apply to the Graduate School for admission to the M.A. program only after completing at least one semester in the J.D. program. Once admitted to the program, full-time Tulane law students may take courses in political science without additional tuition charges.

J.D./M.A. students may substitute recent LSAT scores for GRE scores in the application process.

Joint M.B.A./M.A. in Political Science Program

Successful business management often depends on a knowledge of and ability to analyze politics, particularly the state institutions that regulate and intervene in markets. The A.B. Freeman School of Business and the Department of Political Science at Tulane University offer a joint degree program that provides students with analytical skills appropriate to business, politics, and the interface between these two fields.

Students may apply to the Graduate School for admission to the M.A. program only after completing at least one semester at the Freeman School. Applicants will be able to submit their GMAT scores in lieu of their GRE scores to the Political Science Department.

Students in the program are required to take 48 credit hours at the Freeman School. In Political Science, they can choose one of two options: a thesis option that requires 15 credit hours (normally 5 courses), a thesis, and the designation of three relevant electives from the Business School; or a non-thesis option that requires 24 credit hours (normally 8 courses) and the designation of four relevant Business School electives. Students will ordinarily spend their first two semesters at the Freeman School, their third and fourth semesters in the Political Science Department, and their fifth semester back at the Freeman School. The regular requirements of the M.B.A. and the M.A. in Political Science will apply to students in the joint program.

For the M.A. in Political Science, in addition to the requirements listed above, students will also be required to demonstrate a reading competence in one foreign language relevant to the research literature in their field. Students may substitute three courses of approved computer science coursework, taken in the recommended sequence, for the foreign language requirement. For students who choose the non-thesis option, students will also be required to pass one of the four general preliminary examinations given to students working towards the doctorate. At the Freeman School, students will also be required to pass skill set assessment courses in Career Strategies, Writing Skills, and Spreadsheet Skills.

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