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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Arts (MA), thesis-based

Students in the Department of Political Science may choose an interdisciplinary specialization in Israel Studies. For further information on the Israel Studies (Interdisciplinary) specialization, see the separate listing in this Calendar.
 
The MA and PhD programs in Political Science are offered as full-time programs only.

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

Master of Arts
a) A minimum grade point average of 3.40 on a four-point scale over the last ten full-course equivalents taken in the applicant’s undergraduate program.
b) 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.
c) All students whose native language is other than English are required to pass the TOEFL with a minimum score of 620 (paper-based), or 105 (internet-based), or 7+ on the IELTS, or 87 on the MELAB, or 75 on the PTE.
d) Two reference letters.
e) A statement of research interests.
f) Sample of written work, preferably a paper submitted for a Political Science course.
g) Email confirmation from a potential supervisor who is interested in supervising your work.

Doctor of Philosophy
a) A minimum grade point average of 3.70 on a four-point scale over completed graduate courses.
b) Normally a Master of Arts in Political Science or a strong background in Political Science. Special consideration may be given to those who have not achieved this background.
c) All students whose native language is other than English are required to pass the TOEFL with a minimum score of 620 (paper-based), or 105 (internet-based), or 7+ on the IELTS, or 87 on the MELAB, or 75 on the PTE.
d) Two reference letters.
e) A statement of research interests.
f) Sample of written work, preferably a paper submitted for a Political Science course.
g) Email confirmation from a potential supervisor who is interested in supervising your work.

In addition to the Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department normally requires that all students complete Political Science 691. In addition:

Master of Arts
a) Master of Arts 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
• Two or three courses will be in the student's major field (one of Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Thought)
• A maximum of one half-course can be a reading course

b) Master of Arts students must demonstrate a basic knowledge of research methods equivalent to Political Science 691. If students are required to take Political Science 691, it will be included in these five half courses. Students who have an equivalent of Political Science 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
• One full-course equivalent in each of the student's two major fields (i.e., Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Thought)
• A maximum of two half-courses may be reading courses
• Language courses will not be considered part of the six half course requirement
• PhD Students must demonstrate a basic knowledge of research methods equivalent to Political Science 691. If students are required to take Political Science 691 it will not be considered part of the six half-course equivalent.

b) A candidacy examination with a written and oral component, normally completed within sixteen months of first registration.

c) A thesis proposal, normally defended within four months of the oral candidacy exam.

d) A demonstration of reading proficiency in a language other than English, as determined by the supervisory committee. Normally students without prior reading proficiency will be required to achieve a grade of at least "B" in one full-course equivalent in a second language.

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

The Department of Political Science encourages completion of the Master’s within two years and the doctorate within four.

Master of Arts
Wherever possible, an incoming student should have a specific supervisor in mind when applying for the program and should initiate supervisory arrangements with this faculty member. A supervisor is determined as a result of consultations involving the student and the Graduate Director (and/or Department Head), normally within the first term of the student’s program, but the supervisor must be appointed within 12 months of initial registration.

Doctor of Philosophy
Wherever possible, an incoming student should have a specific supervisor in mind when applying for the program and should initiate supervisory arrangements with this faculty member. Supervisory arrangements are normally completed within the first six months of the doctoral program, but the supervisor must be appointed within 12 months of initial registration. Where the matter of supervision is still under consideration, the Graduate Director 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 Director (and/or Head) and must be established as soon as possible and no later than three months after the supervisor’s appointment.