Political Science and Public Affairs Research Graduate Degree Programs
Candidates must fulfill the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and of the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs Research. See the College of Graduate Studies section for the general requirements applicable to each degree.
Master of Arts. Major in Political Science. General College of Graduate Studies M.A. requirements for application must be followed. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation and a 300-500 word statement of purpose directly to the Department of Political Science.
Master of Public Administration. Major in Public Administration. The Martin School and the Department of Political Science at the University of Idaho offers the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree for students interested in careers in the governance and management of local governments and communities. Students can expect to leave the program with intellectual and analytical skills, and the practical experience needed to enhance their ability to serve local governments and communities. The program is public service oriented, and is delivered in partnership with communities in Idaho and Washington.
Practitioner involvement in this program provides students with a more relevant and practical education than that found in more traditional programs. Academic faculty members work closely with local government professionals to deliver courses and professional development opportunities. In addition to internships, all students are required to complete a practicum designed to deliver the skills needed in professional communication and employment.
The program requires 36 hours of coursework and offers two tracks. The internship track is designed for students who have little or no public administration experience while the in-service track is designed for working professionals who seek to strengthen their leadership skills. Internship track students complete a 3 to 6-hour internship to gain hands-on experience in the governance of local government and communities. In-service students must complete 3 hours of PolS 559 Field Based Research in lieu of the internship.
Both tracks share a core curriculum of 18 hours:
Seminar in Administrative Theory (3 cr) |
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Governmental Budgeting (3 cr) |
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Research Methods for Local Government and Community Administration (3 cr) |
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Public Administration Practicum (3 credits taken 1 credit per semester) |
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Local Government Politics and Administration (3 cr) |
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Public Personnel Administration (3 cr) |
Students will then develop their specific interests in local government by choosing 12 to 15 hours of elective courses in consultation with and approval of their advisor. These courses may be chosen in alignment with the bioregional planning and community design graduate program, or other UI graduate programs.
Although no specific undergraduate preparation is required for the MPA, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and GRE General Test Scores that are no more than five years old. Three letters of recommendation are also required. Students with a lower GPA may, on occasion, be admitted provisionally.
Doctor of Philosophy. Major in Political Science. General College of Graduate Studies requirements for application must be followed. Applicants to the Ph.D. program must also submit Graduate Record Examination scores, three letters of recommendation, and a 300-500 word statement of purpose directly to the Department of Political Science.