Skip to Content

CU Logo

University of Colorado Denver

Denver

Webmail | UCD Access | Canvas | Search Quick Links

Tools

  • Webmail
  • UCD Access
  • Canvas
  • Campus Directory
  • A-Z Index
  • Campus Map

Resources

  • Events Calendar
  • Newsroom
  • Human Resources
  • Student Services
  • Auraria Library
  • CU Denver Police
  • University Policies

Schools and Colleges

  • College of Architecture and Planning
  • College of Arts & Media
  • Business School
  • School of Education & Human Development
  • College of Engineering, Design and Computing
  • Graduate School
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • School of Public Affairs

Campus Affiliates

  • CU Anschutz Medical Campus
  • CU Boulder
  • CU Colorado Springs
  • CU Denver
  • CU Online
  • CU System

Search

Other ways to search:

  • University Directory
  • Campus Map
Political Science
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Political Science

Main menu

  • Home
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Programs
  • Career
  • People
  • Scholarships
  • Research
  • Contact

Secondary Menu

  • Financial Aid
  • Apply
  • Donate
  • New Directions

Mobile menu

  • Home
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Programs
  • Career
  • People
  • Scholarships
  • Research
  • Contact
  • Financial Aid
  • Apply
  • Donate
  • New Directions

Graduate News

Yellow background with megaphone facing to the right

Call for proposals for the 2021 Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for Research on Women and Politics

Read more about Call for proposals for the 2021 Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for Research on Women and Politics

Excited young man jumping in air with megaphone to imply getting the word out about the TAships.
Spring 2022 Graduate Teaching Assistantships
A pixelated and blurred map of the world to represent the complexities of international society.
Highlighted Graduate Course: PSCI 5551-International Society: Critical Perspectives
Photo of Sky Rooselvelt Morris with field behind her.
Student Highlight: Sky Roosevelt-Morris - Graduate Student
Scholarships' Deadlines Extended through June 30th

Graduate Program in Political Science

A flexible, affordable graduate program tailored just for you!

We offer a master of arts (MA) degree in political science with an emphasis on building academic and practical skills in key areas of the discipline. 

Research and teaching in the department center on the major fields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and public policy. However, the department also offers more specialized training in human rights, legal studies, gender politics, race and ethnic politics, European studies, indigenous politics, and urban politics. 

Your Choices: 

Choose between a traditional MA track on the CU Denver Auraria Campus, or an alternative MA track through our New Directions in Politics and Public Policy Program, geared towards the non-traditional student.

What happens next?

Our graduates go on to Ph.D. programs across the country and secure positions as government officials, community-based organization leaders, private sector business professionals, legislative analysts, UN affiliates, lobbyists, teachers, media analysts and political consultants.

Apply Now!

To apply for either of our MA programs, submit the following online:

  1. Online graduate school application

  2. Personal statement of about 1 ½ pages

  3. Three reference letters (academic and/or professional)

  4. Official transcripts

  5. Writing sample of about 10 pages

​To pursue our 4+1 Program, please submit the following online:

If you are in your Junior Year:

  1. Complete Intent to BA/MA Form 
  2. Meet with Undergraduate (Karen Breslin) and Graduate Director (Michael Berry)
  3. Meet with Financial Aid

If you are in your Senior Year:

  1. Apply for Graduation
  2. Complete Graduate School Application

Apply Now

Tuition
MA Degree Requirements
New Directions
BA/MA - 4 + 1 Program
Certificates

Preferred Application Deadlines

Summer semester applicants - April 1

Fall semester applicants - May 1

Spring semester applicants - November 1

Learning Goals & Objectives for Graduates

In their introductory classes, and continuing at successively higher levels across their departmental studies, Political Science students will consistently improve their:

1. Knowledge of the role of political action and political systems in shaping human cultures and socio-economic patterns, including:
Knowledge of the American Political System Knowledge of political systems across history and world region Knowledge of theoretical foundations of political systems and political values Ability to compare political systems in their differing abilities to deliver public welfare Knowledge of the processes, institutions and actors involved in globalization This knowledge will be focused by engagement with the fundamental questions of political life, both contemporary and enduring.   Students will place themselves in conversation with multiple political and moral perspectives, including those outside of the traditional Western canon, by developing their own positions and by seeing how their positions build from and contribute to these perspectives.

2. Intellectual and Practical Skills, including:
Inquiry and analysis • Critical thinking • Creative thinking • Written communication • Oral communication • Reading Ability • Quantitative literacy • Information literacy • Teamwork • Problem solving These skills will be applied to evaluate conflicting arguments, assemble and present empirical evidence using appropriate methods of research and data analysis, make reasoned conclusions from the evidence available, and prepare professional and persuasive presentations regarding those conclusions.

3. Personal and Social Responsibility, including:
Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global Intercultural knowledge and competence Ethical reasoning and action Foundations and skills for lifelong learning This responsibility will be anchored through active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges (including internships, service-learning and other experiential learning opportunities) that allow students to reflect on the relationship between theory, political practice and potential career paths.  In these experiences, students will apply critical thinking skills to solve collective problems in a manner that improves the public good.

4. Integrative/Holistic and Applied Learning, including:
Completion of department course work across a range of political science subfields Application of insights from other programs of study to enhance their political understanding and practical skills This learning will be demonstrated through the application of integrative and holistic knowledge and skills to foster purposeful civic commitments, to produce effective oral and written presentations, and to develop practical skills for continual personal and professional development.

Assessing Learning Objectives
The Department of Political Science conducts annual assessments of student progress towards departmental learning objectives. Assessments are typically targeted towards different categories of courses in different years. For example, one year the department might assess all “experiential learning” courses, while another year we might assess our “core curriculum” courses, and in another year we might assess our study abroad courses. In some years, the department conducts a broader assessment of department-wide progress towards learning objectives across many different courses. The specific strategies typically utilized in our annual assessment process are a mixture of the following: • Direct Assessment of Course-Based Learning. The Political Science Department reviews student exams, written papers, oral presentations and final portfolios for targeted classes during its assessment • Student Self-Assessment Surveys. The Political Science Department often embeds a student self-assessment survey into its assessment process. The survey collects students’ self-assessment of their own intellectual growth, knowledge gained, and level of change in political aptitudes, skills, attitudes and engagement level during their time in our classes and department. Informal assessments include a review of student FCQ comments and other informal verbal feedback from students. • Master’s Capstone Assessment. The Political Science Department periodically assembles a team of faculty to review all master’s theses or projects submitted for oral defense in an academic year, to conduct an assessment of progress towards learning objectives among our master’s students.

Political Science

Department of Political Science
3rd Floor of the Student Commons Building
1201 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80204

Contact Us

Phone: (303) 315-1770
For general department information: Angela.Schmitt@ucdenver.edu 

 

  • For undergraduate-level questions: Karen.Breslin@ucdenver.edu
  • For graduate-level questions: Michael.Berry@ucdenver.edu
  • For media or website questions: Eleanore.Lewis@ucdenver.edu
  • Department Chair: Michael.Berry@ucdenver.edu
  • Director of New Directions: Steve.Delcastillo@ucdenver.edu 

 

CU in the City logo
  • Contact Us
  • Website Feedback
  • CU System
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Notices
  • Accreditation
  • Employment
  • Give Now

© 2021  The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.

Return to the top of the page