Political Science
Acting Head: Karine Levasseur
Chair: Andrea Charron
Campus Address/General Office: 532 Fletcher Argue
Telephone: 204-474-9733
Email Address: Political.Science@umanitoba.ca
Website: Department of Political Science | Faculty of Arts | University of Manitoba
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Political Science website for staff information.

Political Science Program Information

The Department of Political Science offers a Pre-Master’s year, a Master of Arts degree program, as well as a Masters in Public Administration program jointly offered with the University of Winnipeg.

Admission Information

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.

Admission requirements for Master’s students are found in the Master’s Degrees General Regulations section of the Guide.

Political Science M.A. Admission Requirements

Normally, to be considered for admission to the M.A program in Political Science, applicants must have successfully completed either the Department’s Pre-M.A program, as outlined below, or a B.A (Honours) Program in Political Science.  To be considered for admission, applicants holding a B.A (Honours) degree are expected to have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 (B+) in their last two years of study.  Other applicants will be considered for admission to the M.A program in Political Science if they hold a B.A (Advanced) with a major in Political Science, and have a course selection pattern and performance in those courses that is comparable in quality to that of a B.A (Honours) student.  Applicants possessing a B.A (Honours) degree in another discipline with an overall grade point average of 3.5 (B+) will also be considered for direct entry into the program primarily on the basis of their completion of Political Science or directly related courses.

Pre-Master's Option

This unit offers a Pre-Master’s program of study. The Pre-Master’s program of study is intended to bring a student’s background up to the equivalent of the required 4-year degree in the major department/unit, and to provide the student with any necessary prerequisites for courses to be taken in the Master’s program. Completing the Pre-Master’s program does not guarantee acceptance to the Master’s program.

The Pre-Master’s year is designed for students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the Master’s program. To be eligible for Pre-Master’s study, applicants will normally possess a general Bachelor’s degree with a major in Political Science (30 credit hours), with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B). Applicants possessing a general B.A. in another discipline with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (B+) will also be considered for direct entry into the Pre-Master’s program, primarily on the basis of their completion of Political Science or directly related courses.

Application Information

Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the Political Science M.A. program of study page.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. program consists of two independent streams of study: the major research paper stream, and the thesis stream. In consultation with the Graduate Chair/their advisor, students are expected to select either the major research paper or thesis stream by December of their first year of study. The main purpose of the major research paper stream is to enhance the student’s understanding of the discipline of Political Science and their chosen sub-fields. The thesis-based stream is to provide students with a deep understanding of Political Science and to develop their research skills to a level that allows them to explore a chosen topic in depth.

The thesis stream of the M.A in Political Science consists of course work, a thesis, and an oral examination. Students in the thesis stream must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours, 12 credit hours must be at the 7000 level in Political Science. In some cases, and with written permission from the Department’s Graduate Committee, students may substitute three (3) credit hours of coursework at the 4000/7000 level in a related discipline.Three (3) credit hours includes Research Methods, and three (3) credit hours includes The Study of Politics. Thesis is normally between 20,000 and 25,000 words (80,100 pages) but no more than 30,000 words (120 pages). A waiver of the length requirement may be granted by the Graduate Committee, upon request and with support from the Advisor.

The major research paper stream of the M.A in Political Science consists of course work and a research paper. Students in the major research paper stream must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours at the 7000 level in Political Science.  In some cases, and with written permission from the Department’s Graduate Committee, students may substitute six (6) credit hours of course work at the 7000 level in a related discipline or may be permitted to take six (6) credit hours at the 4000 level in Political Science. Includes 3 credits of Research Methods, and 3 credits in The Study of Politics. The Major Research Paper (MRP) normally is 6,000-8,000 words in length (25-30 pages; max 40). The final paper is assessed by the MRP advisor and a second reader. Must achieve a minimum grade of B to pass.

For additional details on all program requirements, consult the program's supplementary regulations.

Expected Time to Graduate: 2 years (Thesis-based) 1 year (Course-based). 

Progression Chart

Thesis STREAM

Notes:

• Students must demonstrate their mastery of the field and that they are fully conversant with the relevant literature through their thesis/practicum.
• The M.A. thesis proposal must include a literature review, description of the proposed work, and a schedule for completion. The proposal should normally be completed within 10 months following the start of the program and must be approved by the student’s advisor.

Major Research Paper STREAM

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

All new and returning students are required to meet with the Graduate Chair/Designate to have their re/registration pre-approved.  Except under extenuating circumstances, these re/registration meetings will normally be held by July 1 of the academic year.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

• GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
• GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses

Political Science