Political Science POLI

Contact Info

Location

SocialSciences Building, Room 756

Faculty number

(403) 220-5921

Fax

(403) 282-4773

E-mail address

poligrad@ucalgary.ca

Web page URL

http://poli.ucalgary.ca

1. Degrees and Specializations Offered

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Master of Arts (MA)

Students in the Departments of Political Science, History, Religious Studies and the Centre for Military And Strategic Studies may choose an interdisciplinary specialization in Israel Studies. For further information on the Israel Studies (Interdisciplinary) specialization, see the separate listing in this Calendar.

2. Admission Requirements

In addition to the Faculty requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Arts

1. A grade point average of at least 3.4 on a four-point scale over the last ten fullcourse equivalents taken in the applicant's undergraduate program2. Normally a BA in Political Science or a strong background in Political Science of at least 5 full-course equivalents in Political Science. Special consideration may be given to those who have not achieved this background.3. All students whose native language is other than English are required to pass the TOEFL with a minimum score of 620 (paper-based), 260 (computer-based) or 105 (internet-based) or 7+ on the IELTS.

Doctor of Philosophy

1. A grade point average of 3.7 on a four-point scale over completed graduate courses and the last five full-course equivalents at the undergraduate level.

2. Normally a MA in Political Science or a strong background in Political Science. Special consideration may be given to those who have not achieved this background.

3. All students whose native language is other than English are required to pass the TOEFL with a minimum score of 620 (paper-based), 260 (computer-based) or 105 (internet-based) or 7+ on the IELTS.

3. Application Deadline

Deadlines for the submission of complete applications:

1 February for September admission

1 September for January admission

4. 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 or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission. If graduate-level courses are taken, up to two half-courses at our graduate level may be claimed towards the MA requirements should the student be admitted into our MA program.

5. Program/Course Requirements

In addition to the Faculty requirements, the Department requires that

Master of Arts

MA students must complete a minimum of five half-courses:

·At least two half-courses must be taken in the Political Science Department at the University of Calgary

·A maximum of one half-course can be a reading course

·If students are required to take POLI 691, it will be included in these five half-courses. Students who have an equivalent of POLI 691 will still be required to take five half-courses.

Doctor of Philosophy

(a)Doctoral students must complete a minimum of six half-courses:

  • At least four half-courses must be taken in the Political Science Department at the University of Calgary
  • a maximum of two half-courses may be reading courses
  • language courses will not be considered part of the six half-course-requirement
  • If students are required to take POLI 691, it will be included in these six half-courses. Students who have an equivalent of 691 will still be required to take six half-courses.

b)A thesis proposal

c)A candidacy examination with a written and an oral component

d)A demonstration of reading proficiency in a language other than English, as determined by the supervisory committee. Most students will be required to take one full-course equivalent in a second language of which at least one half-course must be at the 300 level or higher.

6. Additional Requirements

None

7. Credit for Undergraduate Courses

The department does not give graduate credit for courses taken below the 600-level, except in special cases.

8. Time Limit

Maximum completion time is four years for a Master's program and six years for a doctoral program.

9. Supervisory Assignments

Master of Arts

A supervisor is determined as a result of consultations involving the student and the graduate coordinator (and/or Department Head) within the first term of the student's program. In some cases the student, with the agreement of the intended supervisor, may initiate the process.

Doctor of Philosophy

Wherever possible, an incoming student should have a specific supervisor in mind when entering the program and should initiate supervisory arrangements with this faculty member. Supervisory arrangements are usually completed within the first six months of the doctoral program. Where the matter of supervision is still under consideration, the graduate coordinator usually serves as interim supervisor until a final decision is made.

Supervisory committees for doctoral students are struck as the result of consultations amongst the student, supervisor, and graduate coordinator (and/or Head) within the first six months of the program.

10. Required Examinations

The doctoral candidacy examination has a written and an oral component. The Department requires two written candidacy examinations, one in the student's field of thesis research and the other in the student's second chosen field of study. The examinations test the student's general knowledge of the fields as well as specific topics within these fields. Examinations are usually three hours long and are scheduled in each of the fall and winter terms at suitably arranged times.

Final thesis oral examinations are closed.

11. Research Proposal Requirements

Doctoral students must submit a written thesis proposal (no more than 20 pages in length) for approval by the supervisory committee. The thesis proposal must be approved before the student is allowed to sit the candidacy examinations.

12. Special Registration Information

None

13. Financial Assistance

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 1 February.

14. Other Information

None

15. Faculty Members/Research Interests

Current departmental research interests can be found at http://poli.ucalgary.ca/grad/index.html under Graduate Program Information. Individual faculty members' areas of research can be found at http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/dept/faculty.html.

Courses numbered 600-799 are offered either as special reading courses or as seminars, as required. Students should consult the Department regarding enrolment in these courses.

POLI 615, 617, 619, 621, 623, 625, 641, 651, 671, 673, 675, 681, 683, 685, 687, 691, 693, 715, 721, 725, 741, 751, 753, 755, 781

http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/grad/courses.html

Each year, depending on the needs of students, a number of 600- and 700-level Graduate Courses are offered from the foregoing list. In addition to the numbered and titled courses shown above the Department offers a selection of advanced level Graduate Courses specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals or small groups of students. These courses are numbered in the series 800.01 to 899.99. Such offerings are, however, contingent upon availability of staff resources.