Master of Arts in Political Science
The political science graduate academic unit at the Fredericton and Saint John campuses of the University of New Brunswick offers a Masters Program. Courses of study and research are designed to meet the needs and interests of each student. The UNB M.A. program has particular strengths in the areas of political theory, public policy, international studies and Canadian politics.
Our program is small enough to allow students to be treated as individuals and to have close contact with faculty, yet large enough to provide diversity in an active intellectual community spanning both campuses. Generous fellowships and other forms of financial assistance are awarded by UNB on the basis of merit and need.
Graduate studies at the University of New Brunswick provide an excellent opportunity for high educational achievement. UNB's graduates have made a significant difference in their chosen careers locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Graduates of UNB's Master of Arts in Political Science have gone on to doctoral programs, entered law school and other professional programs, or embarked on creative careers with government, international organizations, the courts, schools, and public service groups.
Program Options: M.A. in Political Science
Students who are accepted into the M.A. program can choose between two routes for the completion of their degree:
- Research Paper Option: This option includes graduate course work (21 credit hours) and a Masters Research Paper. It is designed to be completed within 12 months.
- Thesis Option: This option includes graduate course work (18 credit hours) and a Masters Thesis. This program is normally completed over two academic years, with the thesis defence scheduled in the spring of the student's second year.
Important Information: M.A. in Political Science
Admission: In order to be admitted to the Master of Arts program in Political Science, a student would normally have completed a Political Science degree with high standing (B+ or better in the last two years of study) in a major or honour's program. For detailed information about graduate degree requirements and procedures, refer to the UNB Graduate Calendar.
Deadlines: The usual deadline for application for each academic year is January 15. Students applying by this date will be automatically considered for financial support. The alternative application deadline for enrollment without consideration for financial support is March 15.
Courses: Students are required to complete either 18 credit hours (Thesis Option) or 21 credit hours (Research Paper Option) at the graduate level. This includes six credit hours in the required core course Advanced Research Issues and Approaches in Political Science, plus an assortment of other graduate courses relevant to the student's program of study. In some cases, with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies, courses in other departments may also be appropriate parts of an M.A. program in Politics. Courses in UNB's M.Phil (Policy Studies), or graduate courses in sociology, economics, or philosophy are examples.
Residency: The minimum residency requirement for the M.A. program is one academic year. Residency can be either in Fredericton or Saint John.
For more information on the UNB graduate program in Political Science, see the Political Science section of the online Graduate School School Calendar.
Key Contacts: M.A. in Political Science
Dr. Joanne Wright - Director of Graduate Studies - Tilley 215; (506) 458-7422
Deborah Sloan - Administrative Secretary - Tilley 219; (506) 453-4826
