Do you admit students year-round?
No. Our program is structured as a cohort model, so we admit students to start their Master's in Political Science degree in Fall quarter only. Our priority consideration date is February 15th and the final application deadline is April 15th for the Fall term of that calendar year. Late applications may be possible on a case-by-case basis (contact the Graduate Director for more information).
When will I know if I have been accepted?
You should receive an email notification from the Office of Graduate Studies within 3 to 5 weeks of the application deadlines (either February 15th for priority consideration or April 15th for final deadline). The final decision to admit, however, is contingent on the receipt and verification of application materials by PSU's Office of Admissions and the Office of Graduate Studies.
Can I defer my admission?
Yes. If you are admitted to the Master's in Political Science graduate program but cannot attend during the term of admission, you may defer your admission for up to one calendar year. It is critical, however, that you contact the Department to request that your admission be updated to another term. If you do not request a deferral, PSU will cancel your admission and you will have to reapply the following year.
Can I transfer course credits from other programs?
A limited number of previous graduate course credits can be considered for transfer. "Pre-admission credits" are those received for coursework taken prior to admission to the Master's in Political Science, including courses taken at PSU or another institution. "Transfer credits" are those received for course work taken at any institution at any time. The limit on pre-admission credits and transfer credits is 16, which is normally four courses. Students who would like to transfer credits from other programs are encouraged to meet with the Department’s Graduate Director prior to June 15th of the year of their admission into the program.
How much and what type of work does a Graduate Assistant do?
Graduate Assistants (GAs) perform academic duties such as research assistance which could include literature review, data collection, data analysis, or other clerical and administrative tasks. Some GAs serve as teaching assistants or mentors to undergraduate students. A GA appointment is some fraction of an FTE (full-time employee), which determines the hours of work required per week and the amount of money offered through a tuition remission and stipend. For example, .30 FTE appointments equals 12 hours of work per week.
Can I work a job in addition to my Graduate Assistant position?
Yes. Students holding graduate assistantships may also be employed elsewhere within the university, provided the total number of hours worked do not exceed 20 hours per week (.49 FTE). For those working outside the university, the Department recommends that this same limit be observed. Being a full-time graduate student (9 credit hours) combined with a GA position is a commitment in both time and energy. Students are encouraged to seriously consider the time constraints of taking on too much when considering additional work.
Can I lose my Graduate Assistantship?
Yes. GA positions are contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree as well as satisfactory job performance. Because GAs must be registered for, and satisfactorily complete, at least 9 credits of coursework during each term of their appointment, incomplete coursework or low grades may jeopardize the student's eligibility for an assistantship. The loss of a GA appointment does not, in itself, affect the student's standing in the degree program though poor academic standing can also affect a student’s ability to continue in the program.
Is there a graduate student orientation?
No, but this does not mean you will go without an introduction to PSU and our program! We view the orientation as critically important to student success; so important, in fact, that we made the orientation into an entire class: PS 590 Introduction to Graduate School. This required class offered in fall quarter is essentially an extended orientation. We've found that by spreading it out (rather than having it on a single day), students are both better able to absorb the information and it's a great way to build community among the incoming cohort.
How long will it take to complete my master's degree?
If students maintain full-time enrollment, taking 9 or more credit hours per term, the Master's degree can be comfortably completed in two years. If you attend part-time, it is important to enroll in and pay for at least one credit hour per academic year (three-terms) in order to maintain your enrollment status. Students should also keep in mind that after seven years, credits are considered out-of-date and cannot be applied toward the Master's degree unless they are revalidated, a process that involves paying a fee and passing an exam.
How do I know what courses to take?
The Department’s Graduate Director and our faculty advisors will help steer you to courses that fit your interests, meet the degree requirements, and provide a good understanding of the discipline. Portland State University provides an online tool called DARS to assist you in tracking your progress toward the degree.
How many classes should I take per term?
To maintain full-time status, graduate students should enroll in 9 or more credit hours per term. Most graduate classes in the Political Science master's program are 4 credits. Therefore, students should plan to take between 3 and 4 courses per term. Students must enroll in at least 1 credit hour in the term that they defend their thesis, field project, or portfolio.
What happens if my grades are low?
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a term GPA of at least 2.7 in order to remain in good academic standing. A student failing to meet these GPA requirements is placed on “academic probation” and must meet the minimum requirements after the next 9 credits of coursework taken. Students on academic probation may not hold graduate assistantships. Disqualification happens when a student on academic probation fails to achieve a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher once they have completed the next 9 graduate credits after beginning probation status; or when a student becomes subject to academic probation for a second time.
What is a master's thesis?
The final requirement for the degree is to complete a Master’s Thesis—an investigation demonstrating mastery of a topic in political science and the capacity to formulate an original argument, effectively communicated to an audience of one's peers. The thesis topic is chosen during the Spring term of the first year in consultation with the student's thesis advisor, who supervises the drafting of a thesis prospectus. The completed thesis is defended during the Spring term of the second year in an oral presentation laying out the purpose, implementation, and findings of the project, and making a case for its contribution to political science scholarship.
Where should I get advice?
The Graduate Director initially advises all new students, in the academic year 2024-25 this position is held by Professor Melody Valdini. Students are assigned a faculty advisor after the completion of their first quarter in the program. Faculty advisors normally serve as the main source of information about the requirements of the program, how best to achieve your educational goals, and will serve as advisor for their thesis project. New students receive additional guidance from other faculty as well as they proceed through the program. Our staff in Politics and Global Affairs are a great source of information regarding administrative questions and can be reached at pga@pdx.edu.
Whom should I contact if I have additional questions?
Prospective students who have additional questions about our Political Science Master's program can contact our department at pga@pdx.edu, or contact our Graduate Director Dr. Melody Valdini. Our Graduate School Admissions office is also ready to answer your questions about the admissions process. Current Political Science Master's students should contact their assigned faculty advisor or our Graduate Director Dr. Melody Valdini with questions. Our staff in Politics and Global Affairs are a great source of information regarding administrative questions and can be reached at pga@pdx.edu.