Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Record 2011-2012 
    
Graduate Record 2011-2012 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Politics


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Degree Requirements


Graduate Program


The department offers graduate programs leading to M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in Government and in Foreign Affairs. Each of the programs, while emphasizing a specialized study pattern, is based upon a curriculum composed of the following four major fields:

  1. American Politics
  2. Comparative Politics
  3. International Relations
  4. Political Theory

M.A. in Government


A Masters degree in Government requires 24 hours of course credit plus an additional 6 hours of non-topical research for a total of 30 credit hours. A thesis is required as well completion of a Research Methodology requirement and a Foreign Language/Research Tools requirement.
 

M.A. in Foreign Affairs


A Masters degree in Foreign Affairs requires 24 hours of course credit plus an additional 6 hours of non-topical research for a total of 30 credit hours. A thesis is required as well completion of a Research Methodology requirement and a Foreign Language/Research Tools requirement.
 

M.A.-J.D. in Government and Law


The Department of Politics, in cooperation with the School of Law, offers a combined program leading to the degrees of J.D. and M.A.

M.A.-M.B.A. in Government and Business


The Department of Politics in cooperation with the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, offers a combined program leading to the degrees of M.B.A. and M.A.

Doctoral Programs


Before admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must have received the M.A. degree (either in the department or at another university); completed 54 credits of  graduate courses at the 500 level and above (24 Masters credits and 30 Doctoral credits), and 24 credits of non-topical research, including one designated departmental research methodology course; demonstrated either a reading knowledge of one language or competence in a designated quantitative methods course; passed two comprehensive examination; and secured approval of a dissertation prospectus. (Note that a foreign language is required for Political Theory majors.) Comprehensive exams are offered in the four fields of the Department. At the time of applying for each exam, students shall designate whether the field will represent the major or minor field of study. Students are also required to write and submit at least one proposal for funding from an outside source by the end of their seventh semester in the program.

Research Methodology & Foreign Language/Research Tools Requirements


The Research Methodology requirement may be satisfied by taking either PLAD 7090 (Research Methods in Political Science) or PLPT 5010 (The Nature of Political Inquiry). Students are to take one of these courses early in their career in the Department, and preferably during their first year.

Proficiency in a foreign language is demonstrated by passing a test administered by the appropriate language department at UVa; presenting viva voce evidence to a person acknowledged by the department as capable of evaluating competence in the language; or achieving a grade of “B” in a 2020 level language course (a grade of B- is not acceptable). Foreign students whose first language is not English may use their native language in order to fulfill this requirement.

The Research Tools requirement may be satisfied by completing PLAD 7100 (Political Research with Quantitative Methods).
 

White Burkett Miller Center of Public Affairs


White Burkett Miller Center of Public Affairs is described under Special Programs and Centers in the General Information for the School of Arts and Sciences.

Area Studies


The department participates in programs sponsored by interdepartmental committees on Asian, Latin American, and Russian and East European area studies.

Course Descriptions


Courses offered by the department are divided into the following fields: I. American Politics, II. Comparative Politics, III. International Relations, IV. Political Theory. Those listed in this catalog are all offered for graduate credit. Undergraduates may register for courses at the 5000 level if they have completed 12 credits of work in the department, or with the permission of the instructor. Courses at the 7000 or 8000 level are exclusively for graduate students.

International Relations


Note: Courses in international economics and economic development may be elected as part of a special or outside subfield, or they may be taken in support of other work. See courses listed under the Department of Economics. Two comprehensive examinations in fields I through IV are still required.

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