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Master of Arts (MA) Course-based in Political Science

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Completion requirement

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements and Faculty of Arts requirements, the Department normally requires:

A minimum of 24 units of coursework, which must include the following:

  • at least 18 units of graduate courses in Political Science;

  • at least 6 units and no more than 9 units must be in the student's Primary Field (one of Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Indigenous Politics, International Relations, or Political Thought);

  • a maximum of 6 units as reading courses;

  • course (Major research paper of maximum 9,000 words, exclusive of notes and bibliography);

  • course (see Advanced Credit).

Completion requirement

Advanced Credit

The applicant must make Advanced Credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not normally be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma.

If graduate-level courses are taken as post-BA courses, the Graduate Program Director may allow the student to claim up to 6 units at our graduate level.


Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The department of Political Science will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course offered by the Political Science Graduate Program.

Students may not choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students’ eligibility for internal awards.


Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Applicants with knowledge of research methods equivalent to course may be given a course exemption in course. Course exemption exempts students from taking this course, but they are still required to complete the total number of units required for their degree. Applicants must make course exemption requests as part of the admission process.


Time Limit

Expected completion time is one year for the course-based MA program. Maximum completion time is six years.

Completion requirement

Supervisory Assignments

A Supervisor should normally be appointed by January 15th of the first year of registration.

Completion requirement

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department by January 15.

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