The Master of Arts in Politics trains graduates in broad theoretical concerns about politics, government, and political values.
CGU’s Division of Politics & Economics educates future scholars of politics, government, and policy to make better decisions through rigorous research and sophisticated understanding of political systems and policy analysis. Our MA in Politics offers a broad-ranging, substantive understanding of American politics. Working alongside faculty who are experts in the field, you’ll conduct high-quality interdisciplinary research on the most pressing political and governmental issues of our time. The program offers built-in flexibility that enables you to customize your curriculum to fit your goals and interests. Upon graduating, you will join the long line of highly successful program graduates who are making their mark in an impressive range of careers.
Program Highlights
This MA program offers a concentration in American Politics.
The degree requires completion of nine four-unit courses and a research paper or 12 four-unit courses. Students normally complete coursework in three to four semesters.
Our graduate Political Science program was ranked No. 2 in the nation among graduate Political Science programs for “faculty responsiveness and support outside of the classroom.”
Program at a Glance
UNITS
36 units with research paper or 48 units
ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME*
1.5–2 years
*Actual completion times will vary and may be higher, depending on full- or part-time course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.
Provides a grounding in fundamental issues of American political development: citizenship, constitutionalism, party formation, state building, reform movements, and the construction of political identity.
PP 307
The Modern Presidency
Offers an overview and a framework for understanding the role the president occupies in contemporary American politics through different political science approaches to presidential research.
PP 302
Political Behavior
Offers a thorough overview of the current research on political behavior through the literature on party identification, political sophistication, voting, tolerance, and more.
PP 451
The Federalist
Undertakes a close reading of The Federalist in conjunction with the leading writings of the Anti-Federalists, commentators, and critics.
PP 315
Deliberative Democracy
Studies the functioning of the governing institutions in the United States (particularly Congress, the presidency, and the federal courts) in light of the broad purpose they serve.
Covering topics from conventional political institutions to political economy, students are introduced to the process and institutions of American governance as understood by contemporary political scientists.
Gain a solid foundation in political philosophy through study of selected works by Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Burke, Kant, Marx, Mill, and Nietzsche.
Curriculum
Core Course Requirement (4 units)
American Politics & Institutions
Research Tools (8 units)
Quantitative Research Methods and
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods, or
Legal Research Methods, or
Experimental & Qualitative Methods, or
Game Theory or a GIS course
Tracks (20 units)
Choose an additional five courses from the following tracks (students are encouraged to take at least one course from each track):
Track 1: Political Thought & Development:
American Political Development
The Presidency & the Constitution
Perspectives on Judicial Power
Deliberative Democracy
Judicial Review, Democracy, & the Constitution
The Federalist
The Political Philosophy of John Locke
Track 2: National Institutions:
Executive-Congressional Relations
Legislative Process & Public Policy
The Modern Presidency
American Presidency
Deliberative Democracy
The Administrative State
American Politics, Courts, & Public Policy
American Constitutional Law I: Civil Liberties
American Constitutional Law II: National Powers
Track 3: Individual & Collective Behavior:
American Political Development
Political Behavior
Political Psychology
Women & the Political Process
Representation & Elections
Political Parties in the U.S.
Racial, Ethnic, & Social Minorities in American Politics
Public Opinion
U.S. Immigration Policy
Electives (4-16 units)
One to four courses (to meet 36- or 48-unit requirement)
Final Paper Portfolio
During your final semester, you must provide the program office a copy of a paper you wrote during your first semester, along with a later paper you consider to be an example of your best work. This is an opportunity to demonstrate how your thinking, knowledge, and experience have evolved over the course of the program and where you see your career heading.
Faculty & Research
Mark Blitz
Fletcher Jones Professor of Political Philosophy
Field Chair, Political Philosophy
Director, Salvatori Center for the Study of Individual Freedom
