MA in Political Science

Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on a competitive basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study.
  • Tests Required None.

  • English Proficiency Additional information on the English proficiency test requirement for international students can be found on the UIC Admissions website. Minimum test scores for this program are:

    • Exam Score Reading Listening Speaking Writing
      TOEFL iBT (exams taken on or after January 21, 2026) 4.5 4 4 4.5 4.5
      TOEFL iBT (exams taken prior to January 21, 2026) 80 19 17 20 21
      IELTS Academic 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
      PTE Academic 54 51 47 53 56
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required, preferably from faculty members in political science or cognate disciplines who are familiar with the applicant’s training and ability.
  • Personal Statement Required. The statement should address the applicant’s academic goals.
  • Deadlines Application deadlines for this program are listed on the Graduate College website.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 34.
  • Coursework Required coursework totals 18 semester hours. Required courses will not be waived. A grade of B or better is required in all required courses.
Required Courses
POLS 401
Data Analysis I
POLS 482
Theories of Democracy and Representation
POLS 505
Research Design and Methods
POLS 593
Independent Research for Master's Degree a
Select one of the following:
POLS 504
Seminar in Political Theory
POLS 551
Seminar in Urban Politics
POLS 560
Seminar in American Politics
POLS 570
Seminar in Comparative Politics
POLS 571
Seminar in International Relations
Electives
At least 16 additional hours at the 500 level. No more than two courses (8 hours) may be taken outside the department.
a

In POLS 593 students complete a major research paper under the supervision of two faculty members.  

  • Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Coursework only. No other options are available.

Interdepartmental Concentrations

Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include: