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A-State Closing Early Thursday, Jan. 9, Closed Friday

Arkansas State University is closing all academic and business offices at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, and remaining closed on Friday, Jan 10, in response to the incoming inclement weather.

However, while regular business offices are not open, the campus continues to operate. Essential personnel who maintain on-campus activities, including University Housing, Dining Services and Facilities Management, will report to work. Employees who are uncertain about their status as “essential personnel” are encouraged to check with their supervisor.

Full-time employees who track working hours can submit their time as “Authorized Leave.”

Revised Facility Hours:

  • Dining Services will operate under brunch hours at Acansa Dining Hall from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Dinner service will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.  Howl's Grill and Starbucks will be open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.  
  • The Dean B. Ellis Library will be closed, but is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, Jan. 12, from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m.
  • The Reng Student Union will open for on-campus student usage at 8 a.m., closing at 8 p.m.
  • The Red WOLF Center will be closed.
  • The A-State Bookstore will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

All campus residents are reminded to monitor official university media, including official social media accounts for updates. 

Emergency Contact
University Police
870-972-2093

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Political Science

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College: College of Liberal Arts & Communication

Department: Government, Law & Policy

Description

A Master's Degree in Political Science is an intensive program of specialized study designed to develop students' analytical skills and deepen their substantive knowledge of political science in preparation for such pursuits as law school, teaching, or doctoral studies. The students may specialize in any of the four subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international politics or political theory.

Mission

The Mission of the MA program is to prepare students for future educational and career opportunities in both the public and private sectors. We accomplish this mission by equipping our students with substantive knowledge and methodological skills necessary to conduct research, instruct primary, secondary, and undergraduate students on civics, government, and politics, and/or pursue advanced graduate studies in professional programs (i.e., doctoral, law school, and other public and private related programs of study).

  • Admission

    Beyond the admission materials required by the Graduate School, students interested in the MA in political science should submit directly to the MA Director the following materials:

    • A statement of interest outlining the applicant’s goal past the MA and the types of work he or she wishes to pursue in the program to realize that goal
    • A resume/curriculum vitae
    • An academic writing sample
    • For international students, TOEFL scores
    • Two letters of reference from people who can evaluate the applicant’s academic potential

    Applications received by April 30 will be given full review for fall admission and those received by November 30 will receive full review for spring admission. Late applications after the deadlines may be reviewed at the discretion of the M.A. Committee. Applicants who seek a graduate assistant-ship must submit their materials before April 1. Applicants not meeting the April 1st deadline will be eligible for graduate assistant-ships only if available.

     

  • Program of Study

    Students enrolled in the program will choose to concentrate in one of four sub-fields in political science—US politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory.

    Students will have an option of pursuing a thesis and non-thesis option which is designed to maximize the practical value of their degree. Students choosing the thesis option are required to write and defend a thesis for a total of six graduate credit hours, among other requirements. Students choosing the non-thesis option are required to take comprehensive exams, among other requirements.

    Curriculum

    Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Graduate Bulletin.

    Visit the bulletins page >>

  • Degree Requirements

    4+1 MASTERS PROGRAM

    Qualified undergraduate students may be eligible to enter the program in their junior and senior year of study and complete the program in five years. Please refer to the graduate bulletin for further information.

    PLACEMENT

    In the recent past, the program has successfully placed M.A. graduates in positions in the public and private sectors, competitively ranked law schools, and into doctoral programs in political science such as Texas A & M University, University of Arkansas, University of California at Riverside, University of Washington-Seattle and the University College Dublin.

    GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP

    Graduate Assistantships are available for eligible students which comes with a stipend and qualification as an in-state student for tuition purposes. Applications for a graduate assistantship is available from this link: http://www.astate.edu/college/graduate-school/graduate-assistantship/index.dot