The Department of Political Science offers a general
Master of Arts degree. Students tailor their programs with
the assistance of the department’s graduate coordinator.
Programs are flexible, and students may take advantage of
individualized instruction. Advisory committees will approve
programs that provide an appropriate degree of specialization
in one of the fields of political science with supporting studies
in others.
Students can pursue graduate education in the areas of
comparative politics, international relations, American
politics, political theory, public law, and public policy.
Students can normally expect to complete the program in
from one-and-a-half to two years. The department offers a
number of graduate assistantships as well as internship
opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels, where
students can obtain on-the-job experience.
The graduate program in political science is designed to
prepare graduate students for doctoral studies, teaching
positions at secondary schools and community colleges, or
employment by government agencies, research centers, or
private industry. Our graduates have gone on to executive
positions in national, state, and local governments and to
doctoral programs at top schools throughout the country.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MA program should click _here_ for an important
message.

Letter of Recommendation Form

Admission to the department is competitive, with only
the strongest applicants gaining admission in any given year.
Applicants must submit to the department’s graduate
coordinator 1) official transcripts of all postsecondary academic
work, (except work done at UNLV) 2) Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) General Test scores, 3) two letters of recommendation sent
directly by academic referees, and 4) a one-page essay explaining
why they want to enter the master’s program. Another official copy
of transcripts must be submitted directly to the Graduate College,
along with application forms and fees. Application forms and fees
and official transcripts are submitted directly to the Graduate College.
Applicants for admission must have earned:
1. A baccalaureate from an accredited college or university.
2. A minimum of 18 credits in political science or the
equivalent as determined by the department’s graduate
faculty.
3. A grade point average of at least 3.00 in political science
and overall.
4. Satisfactory scores on the GRE General Test. Minimum
scores are 500 on each of the verbal and quantitative sections of the
exam; we also consider the analytical writing score. In unusual
circumstances, students who do not meet the above criteria may still
be admitted.


Handbook for Graduate Students in MA Program in Political Science
click here

Degree Requirements

The candidate for the Master of Arts degree must complete
a minimum of 30 credit hours under Plan A or 33 credit hours
under Plan B in courses designated for graduate study in
political science and related disciplines. Candidates must designate
one field as their major field; in that field they must take at least
three courses. Candidates must designate two other fields as
minor fields; in each minor field they must take at least two courses.
Eighteen credits must be taken in graduate seminar work.
Students may complete a maximum of 6 graduate credits in related
areas outside political science.
To be counted toward the M.A. degree, all courses must be
pre-approved by the graduate coordinator. The candidate must
maintain a minimum B average during the semester in order to
remain in good standing. Only those courses in which a student
receives a grade of B or better may be used for graduate credit.
The candidate, in conjunction with the graduate coordinator, will
select either Plan A or Plan B. All graduate students are required
to take PSC 701 (Research Design and Methodology) among their
first 12 credit hours. Other seminars may have prerequisite
requirements; for example, PSC 721 must be taken before PSC 729.
Internship credits do not count toward a degree program.

Plan A (Thesis Option)

Students must complete 24credit hours of course work
in at least three areas of political science
plus 6 credit hours of thesis. Completion of the thesis consists
of an oral examination administered by the advisory committee

Plan B (Comprehensive Examination Option)

Students must complete 33 credit hours of course work
in at least three areas of political science, including PSC 782
(Directed Readings in Political Science). PSC 782 encompasses
preparation for, and taking of, written and oral examinations
administered by the advisory committee.

PSC 701 3 credits
Seminar in Research Design and Methodology
Exposes graduate students to a body of literature and a set
of ideas about doing sound social science research, either
applied or non-applied. Emphasis on injecting scientific and
theoretical rigor into the investigation of political
phenomena. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 702 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Quantitative Methods
Review of basic statistical techniques and in-depth treatment
of bivariate and multivariate regression analysis, including
regression diagnostics and remedies for assumption
violations. Also introduces advanced statistical estimation
techniques including robust regression, time-series analysis,
and maximum likelihood estimation. Prerequisites: Graduate
standing and PSC 701 or equivalent.

PSC 710 3 credits
Seminar in American National Government:
Principles
Addresses the theoretical principles underlying — and
disputed within — the American political regime since the
Founding. Readings include writings by American
statesmen, political philosophers, and scholars representative
of key perspectives in the liberal-constitutional tradition.
Satisfies U.S. Constitution requirement. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 711 3 credits
Seminar in American National Government:
Structure and Processes
Based on critical interpretation of classic works on the
discipline. Covers American political institutions, public
opinion, voting behavior, and public policymaking.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 712 3 credits
Seminar in Intergovernmental Relations
Covers political, constitutional, fiscal, and regulatory aspects
of the federal, state, and local governments. Emphasis on
relations of state and local governments to the federal
government. Satisfies Nevada Constitutional requirement.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 719 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in American Politics
Designed to provide specialized and individualized study
of selected topics in American politics. May be repeated to
a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 720 3 credits
Seminar in Policy Formation:
The Problem of Legitimacy
(Same as EPS 743.) What makes a policy legitimate?
Analyzes the public policymaking process in terms of such
ethical considerations as public vs. private good, legality
vs. morality, accountability of policymakers, enforcement
of decisions, and evaluation of programs. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 721 3 credits
Seminar on the Public Policy Process
(Same as EPS 747.) Examines the roles of the legislative
and executive branches of government in public policy
formation and implementation. Surveys empirical techniques
used in the field, assesses the impact of ethical theories on
the public policy process, and explores selected policy issues
in detail. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 722 3 credits
Seminar in Environmental Resource Policy
Condition of the global environment, a topic which has risen
from relative obscurity after World War II to a topic high on
the national and global agenda. Considers the socio-political
aspects related to the environment and natural resources,
familiarizing students with the policy process and institutions
predominant in this area. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 723 3 credits
Seminar in Policy Analysis
(Same as EPS 710.) Aims to enable students to understand
and evaluate a range of methods used by professional policy
analysts, and to present some of the ethical issues
surrounding this practice. Each student is required to locate
and critique some examples of policy analysis in his or her
own area of interest. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 724 3 credits
Seminar in Intelligence Policy
Focuses primarily on the U.S. intelligence community as it
has evolved since WW II. Emphasis on analysis, overt action
and counter-intelligence. Congressional and judicial controls
examined. Attention also given to Soviet and other
intelligence agencies. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 726 3 credits
Seminar in National Security Policy
Focuses on national security issues confronting the U.S.
including the conduct of conventional warfare, nuclear
strategy, deterrence, arms control, Strategic Defense
Initiative, alliance formation, and other topics. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 728 1-3 credits
Practicum in Public Policy
Application of analytical skills and techniques to the
examination of, and involvement in, selected policy fields.
May be repeated to a maximum of three credits. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 729 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in Public Policy
(Same as EPS 750.) Designing, researching, and writing an
original study in a policy area of the student’s choice.
Attention to issues of both fact and value in the construction
of an intellectually compelling argument. Guidance in
developing a prospectus, a pilot project and a research paper.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and PSC 701 and 723.

PSC 730 3 credits
Seminar in Constitutional Law
Study of the U.S. Constitution with emphasis on its
interpretation, the power of the Judiciary, Congress and
Executive. Attention also devoted to federal-state relations
and the Commerce Clause. Satisfies the U.S. Constitution
requirement. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 731 3 credits
Seminar in Civil Rights and Liberties
Analysis of the substance and literature on the topic of civil
rights and civil liberties in the United States. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 733 3 credits
Seminar in Public Law and Public Policy
(Same as EPS 745.) Focuses on the role of the courts in
shaping the different policy areas in the American political
system. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 735 3 credits
Seminar in Jurisprudence
(Same as EPS 746.) Study of the role of morality in the
historical and recent debates over the nature of law including:
Is a conceptual separation of law and morality desirable?;
legal validity; the justification of the judicial decision; finally,
the importance of jurisprudence in helping to resolve public
policy disputes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 739 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in Public Law
Designed to provide specialized and individualized study
of selected topics in public law. May be repeated to a
maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 740 3 credits
Seminar in International Relations
Examines concepts, methods and theories in the discipline
of international relations and applies these tools to
contemporary issues in international politics and economics.
Conflict and peace studies, the North-South Dialogue, and
futurology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 741 3 credits
Seminar in U.S. Foreign Policy
Examines the dynamics of the foreign policy decision-making
process, surveys the historical evolution of American foreign
policy, and addresses its contemporary issues. Impacts of the
changing faces of Communism, third-world nationalism, and
global economic and political interdependencies on U.S.
foreign policy studied in detail. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 746 3 credits
Seminar in the Middle East in World Affairs
Develops a framework for the study of international relations
of the Middle East; examines domestic, regional and global
determinants of external politics in the region; analyzes its
great powers’ interests and policies (strategic, military,
economic, etc.) in this area; and studies intraregional problems
including the Arab-Israeli imbroglio, inter-Arab conflicts, and
turmoil in Lebanon. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 747 3 credits
Seminar in International Relations of the Pacific Rim
Examines international relations of the Pacific Rim, a key
region in contemporary international politics. Analyzes
diplomatic/political, military/security, and economic/trade
issues in the region, and assesses the dynamics and
interdependence of the region and the region’s significance to
international politics in the twenty-first century. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 749 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in
International Relations
Designed to provide specialized and individualized study
in selected areas of international relations. May be repeated
to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 750 3 credits
Seminar in Theory and Methods in
Comparative Politics
In addition to a detailed examination of concepts, methods
and theories of comparative politics, covers such topics as
political development, ethnicity, leadership and political
economy. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 760 3 credits
Seminar in Middle Eastern and
North African Politics
Provides students with in-depth analysis of the political
institutions, processes, and policies in the Middle East and
North Africa. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 769 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in
Comparative Politics
Designed to provide specialized and individualized study
in selected areas of comparative politics. Students advised
to take PSC 750 before taking this course. May be repeated
to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 771 3 credits
Seminar in Political Theory
Analysis and discussion of the major theories and issues of
both contemporary political thought and the history of
political philosophy. Topic announced by the instructor, but
might include the analysis of concepts (e.g., justice,
obligation, democracy), major theories, or major texts.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 779 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in Political Theory
Designed to provide specialized and advanced study in
selected topics in political theory. May be repeated to a
maximum of six credits. Prerequisites: Graduate standing
and PSC 771.

PSC 780 1-3 credits
Internship Program in Political Science
Graduate students have a work assignment in an executive,
legislative, or judicial setting, political party, or interest group
institution at the national, state or local governmental level
and make regular reports on work activities and assigned
readings. Substantial written work required. May be repeated
to a maximum of six credits with consent of instructor.

PSC 782 3 credits
Directed Readings in Political Science
Program of assigned reading in preparation for
comprehensive examinations. Prerequisites: Graduate
standing and departmental approval.

PSC 789 3-6 credits
Thesis
May be repeated but only six credits applied to the student’s
program. S/F grading only. Prerequisite: Departmental
approval.

PSC 790 3 credits
Studies in Political Science
Analysis of the research and literature on a selected topic in
political science. Specific topic announced each semester.
May be repeated to a maximum of six credits.

PSC 794 1-3 credits
Independent Study and Research in Political Science
May be repeated to a maximum of six credits with consent
of instructor.

Chair

Tamadonfar, Mehran (1987), Associate Professor; B.A., M.A., University
of Tehran; Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder.

Graduate Coordinator

Fott, David S. (1992), Associate Professor; B.A., Vanderbilt University;
A.M., Ph.D., Harvard University.

Graduate Faculty

Bowers, Michael (1984), Professor; B.A., Cameron University; M.A.,
Ph.D., University of Arizona.
Brahm, Eric (2006), Assistant Professor; B.A., Marquette University; M.A.,
Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder.
Damore, David (2000), Associate Professor; B.A., University of California,
San Diego, M.A., University of Georgia; Ph.D., University of California,
Davis.
Fernandez, Kenneth (2004), Assistant Professor; B.A., University
of California, San Diego; M.A., Ph.D., University of California,
Riverside.
Hays, Bradley (2005), Assistant Professor; B.S., Northeastern University;
Ph.D., University of Maryland.
Jelen, Ted G. (1997), Professor; B.A., Knox College; M.A., Ph.D., Ohio
State University.
Kuenzi, Michele (2004), Assistant Professor; B.A., Grinnell College;
M.P.A., Wayne State University; Ph.D., Michigan State University.
Lutz, Mark (2006), Assistant Professor; B.A., University of Chicago; M.A.,
Ph.D., University of Toronto.
Parker, Steven (1979), Associate Professor; B.A., Assumption College;
M.A., Ph.D., State University of New York, Albany.
Pirages, Dennis (2007), Dean's Professor of Government; B.A., State
University of Iowa; Ph.D., Stanford University.
Simich, Jerry L. (1973), Associate Professor; B.A., California State
University, Long Beach; Ph.D., University of California, Santa
Barbara.
Slapin, Jonathan (2007), Assistant Professor; B.A. Rutgers University;
Ph.D., Univerity of California, Los Angeles.
Strand, Jonathan (2001), Associate Professor; B.S., University of Wisconsin-
Platteville; M.A., Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Titus, Dina (1977), Professor; B.A., College of William and Mary; M.A.,
University of Georgia; Ph.D., Florida State University.
Tuman, John (2001), Associate Professor; B.A., University of California,
Berkeley; M.A., University of Chicago; Ph.D., University of California,
Los Angeles.

Professors Emeriti

Bigler, Robert M. (1970-1998), Emeritus Professor; Diploma, University
of Budapest; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley.
Dixon, Brock (1971-1985), Emeritus Vice President; B.A., Pacific
College; M.A., University of Oregon; Ph.D., University of Southern
California.
Jones, Gary L. (1969-2002), Emeritus Associate Professor; A.A., Long
Beach City College; B.A., Long Beach State College; Ph.D.,
Claremont Graduate School.
Tuttle, Andrew C. (1968-2000), Emeritus Associate Professor; B.A., M.A.,
University of California, Santa Barbara; Ph.D., Claremont Graduate
School.
Walton, Craig (1972-2004), Emeritus Professor; B.A., Pomona College;
Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School.