• POL S 615 - Seminar in Research Design and Analysis in Political Science 
• POL S 675 - Seminar in International Relations 
• POL S 605 - Seminar in Political Theory 
• POL S 603 - Seminar in Foundations of Public Policy 
  OR
  POL S 655 - Seminar in General Comparative Political Systems 
• POL S 798 Special Study, Preparation for Culminating Experience (1 unit)

1. Two graduate seminars (6 units) chosen from among the following list. Elective seminars may not repeat other courses being used toward degree requirements unless the course permits repeated enrollment with different content (605, 630, and 675 only):
   • POL S 603 Seminar in Foundations of Public Policy
   • POL S 605 Seminar in Political Theory
   • POL S 620 Seminar in American National Government
   • POL S 630 Seminar in Politics (Special Topics, varies by semester)
   • POL S 635 Seminar in Politics of Public Policy
   • POL S 655 Seminar in General Comparative Political Systems
   • POL S 658 Seminar in Post-Communist Political Systems
   • POL S 661 Seminar in the Political Systems of the Developing Nations
   • POL S 667 Seminar in Latin American Political Systems
   • POL S 675 Seminar in International Relations
   • POL S 696 Seminar in Selected Topics in Political Science
2. One graduate course (3 units) chosen from among 500-level courses in Political Science, with the approval of the graduate adviser.
   
   
3. Two additional courses (6 units), which can include Political Science coursework at the 500-700 level, courses from other departments, or transfer courses. Any elective other than 600-level Political Science courses must be pre-approved by the graduate adviser. Only one 3-unit 795, 797, or 798 may be included in the Program of Study (this limit does not include the 1-unit preparation for culminating experience). Plan B students may not take additional Special Studies beyond the 798 to prepare for exams.
   
   

4. Culminating Experience:
   Plan A: Political Science 799A, Thesis (3 units) 
   OR
   Plan B: Comprehensive written and oral examination in two fields, with Political Science 798 (3 units) dedicated to preparation.

Students who want to maintain maximum flexibility in their program of study are advised to opt for the general MA.

Requirements for students selecting the general Political Science MA track

1. POL S 615 Seminar in Research Design
   
   
2. Three core graduate seminars chosen from among the following:
   • POL S 516 (Statistics and Quantitative methods)
   • POL S 603 (Seminar in Foundations in Public Policy)
   • POL S 605* (Seminar in Political Theory)
   • POL S 620 (Seminar in American National Government)
   • POL S 655 (Seminar in General Comparative Political systems)
   • POL S 675* (Seminar in International Relations) 

   * POL S 605 and POL S 675 can each be taken for credit twice so long as the content of the course differs substantially.
   
   

3. Plan A, Political Science 799A (Thesis) and fifteen additional units of coursework.
   • At least 9 of these units must be 600-level POLS seminars or their equivalents, as approved by the graduate adviser.
     
     
   • Up to 6 units may be electives that may include 500-level courses in Political Science, or (with the consent of the graduate adviser) coursework at the 600-level or above in other departments, transfer units, or POLS 798/795 independent studies.
     
     OR
4. Plan B, Comprehensive written and oral examination, and eighteen additional units of coursework. 
   • At least 12 of these units must be 600-level POLS seminars or their equivalents, as approved by the graduate adviser.
     
     
   • Up to 6 units may be electives that may include 500-level courses in Political Science, or (with the consent of the graduate adviser) coursework at the 600-level or above in other departments, transfer units, or POLS 798/795 independent studies.

See the catalog for a description of courses offered by the department.

This emphasis is designed for students whose primary interests lie in international politics or a comparative study of political trends in a range of regions, including Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. Th e IR/Comparative concentration helps students engage in a wide range of research methodologies, including archival analysis, normative analysis, statistical studies, and field research abroad. Our faculty is particularly strong in studies of international law and human rights, imperialism, human migration, transnational activism, and U.S. foreign policy.  

Requirements for students selecting the international relations/comparative politics emphasis:

1. POL S 615 Seminar in Research Design
   
   
2. POL S 655 Seminar in Comparative Political Systems
   
   
3. POL S 675 Seminar in International Relations
   
   
4. One core graduate seminar chosen from among the following:
• POL S 516 (Statistics for Political Scientists)
• POL S 603 (Seminar in Foundations in Public Policy)
• POL S 605 (Seminar in Political Theory)
• POL S 658 (Seminar in Post-Communist Political Systems
• POL S 661 (Seminar in the Political Systems of Developing Nations) 
• POL S 667 (Seminar in Latin American Political Systems)
5. Plan A, Political Science 799A (Thesis) and fifteen additional units of coursework.
• At least 9 of these units must be 600-level POLS seminars or their equivalents, as approved by the graduate adviser.
  
  
• Up to 6 units may be electives that may include 500-level courses in Political Science, or (with the consent of the graduate adviser) coursework at the 600-level or above in other departments, transfer units, or POLS 798/795 independent studies.
  
  OR
6. Plan B, Comprehensive written and oral examination, and eighteen additional units of coursework.  
• At least 12 of these units must be 600-level POLS seminars or their equivalents, as approved by the graduate adviser.
  
  
• Up to 6 units may be electives that may include 500-level courses in Political Science, or (with the consent of the graduate adviser) coursework at the 600-level or above in other departments, transfer units, or POLS 798/795 independent studies.

See the catalog for a description of courses offered by the department.

The emphasis in Public Policy is designed for students interested in a particular issue area (such as immigration, poverty, environment, housing, urban redevelopment, civil or minority rights, health care, or education), or else those with an interest in the general policy process (such as interest groups, social movements, legislative process, or implementation by various agencies). While many of our public policy students have local, state, or American policy interests, we also have students interested in the domestic policies of other countries, such as environmental policy in Latin America, minorities policies in Europe, or internal migration policy in China. 

We offer a broad range of course offerings in our department, but also encourage students to pursue their interest via elective courses in other departments. For example, students interested in public health policy might take courses in SDSU’s School of Public Health; those interested in the environment might add a course on environmental management from the Geography department, etc. 

This emphasis is designed to help students gain skills as policy analysts, expertise in a particular issue area, and familiarity with theories about power and politics in the policy process. It also gives students first-hand experience in their field of interest through an internship. Many students use their internship experience and thesis research as a springboard for a career after their MA is complete.

Requirements for students selecting the emphasis in public policy:

1. POL S 615 Seminar in Research Design
   
   
2. POL S 603 Seminar in Public Policy
   
   
3. POL S 796 Internship in Public Policy
   
   
4. Two core graduate seminars chosen from among the following:
• POL S 516 (Statistics for Political Scientists)
• POL S 605* (Seminar in Political Theory)
• POL S 620 (Seminar in American National Government)
• POL S 635 (Seminar in Politics of Public Policy)
• POL S 655 (Seminar in Comparative Political Systems)
• POL S 675* (Seminar in International Relations) 
5. Plan A, Political Science 799A (Thesis) and twelve additional units of coursework.
• At least 6 of these units must be 600-level POLS seminars or their equivalents, as approved by the graduate adviser.
  
  
• Up to 6 units may be electives that may include 500-level courses in Political Science, or (with the consent of the graduate adviser) coursework at the 600-level or above in other departments, transfer units, or POLS 798/795 independent studies.
  
  OR
6. Plan B, Comprehensive written and oral examination, and fifteen additional units of coursework.  
• At least 9 of these units must be 600-level POLS seminars or their equivalents, as approved by the graduate adviser.
  
  
• Up to 6 units may be electives that may include 500-level courses in Political Science, or (with the consent of the graduate adviser) coursework at the 600-level or above in other departments, transfer units, or POLS 798/795 independent studies.

See the catalog for a description of courses offered by the department.