Master of Arts in Political Science

Prepare for a robust career in academia and research with the Master of Arts in Political Science in Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. Students in this 30-credit master’s degree program study politics and the exercise of domestic and international power through a curriculum that delivers a broad education in the general field of political science.

In your coursework, you will gain a deep understanding of the key theoretical and methodological approaches to studying American and international politics, specifically through the lens of the following four major subfields.

  • American politics, which emphasizes political behavior, economy and institutions as well as policy and urban politics.
  • Comparative politics, which focuses on democratization, the role of the state in the economy and political violence.
  • International relations, which applies a theoretical approach to world politics as well as the study of global security, international political economies and international organizations.
  • Political theory, which delves into political questions of social and economic inequality in the late modernity period including globalization, identity politics and social movements.

The program’s research-oriented curriculum promotes collaboration and engagement, and students graduate with expertise on the government and its impact on 21st century society. Temple’s Political Science faculty are nationally recognized for their research and publications.

Five College of Liberal Arts students work on their computers in a classroom.

Program Format & Curriculum

Students have three years to complete the Political Science MA program on a full- or part-time basis, with classes offered after 3:00 p.m. at Temple’s Main Campus.

The 30-credit curriculum comprises two core courses, three subfield courses and five elective courses. The master's program culminates in an original scholarly paper based on arguments grounded in extensive research and reference to relevant primary and secondary sources.

Core courses include the following.

  • Political Statistics I
  • Topics in Research Design

Learn more about Political Science MA courses.

Related Graduate Degrees

Our Community

The College of Liberal Arts at Temple comprises many academic disciplines and research areas. Now more than ever, an interdisciplinary liberal arts education is invaluable for your future pursuits. It offers the opportunity to further push your drive to create real change in the world, here at Temple and beyond. In this graduate program, you’ll work closely with diverse faculty members who are highly esteemed in their field and with a curious, passionate community of peers.  

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2023–2024 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,053.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,449.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

LA-POLS-MA

Additional Program Information