Political Science (MA)
Our MA program in political science will develop your analytical capacities, theoretical understanding and research skills.
You’ll engage in coursework as you research and write an original thesis or major research paper. You can focus your research on a variety of topics such as Indigenous land claims and treaty rights, social movements, privacy and surveillance, democracy and international law.
You have the option of combining this program with the interdisciplinary Cultural, Social and Political Thought MA or the graduate certificate in Indigenous Nationhood.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 years (3-6 academic terms) | Yes | Yes |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Master's
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
Graduates with an MA in Political Science will:
- have demonstrated analytical capacities, theoretical understanding and research skills necessary for further work as a political scientist
- have demonstrated a degree of mastery over a body of scholarship within the discipline
- have shown they can apply that knowledge to a study that they have defined and focussed well
- pursue careers in policy analysis, diplomacy, journalism, social activism, policy advocacy or public service
Find a supervisor
All graduate students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- you are advised to list a potential supervisor on your application
- one faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
Amy Verdun
Professor, FRSC; undergraduate director Comparative politics, European integration, political economy
Andrew Wender
Associate teaching professor; undergraduate advisor; director, Religion, Culture and Society Program Political theory, politics and religion, politics of the Middle East
Avigail Eisenberg
Professor Democratic theory, normative political theory, history of ideas (19th-20thC), pluralism, identity politics
Claire Cutler
Professor International relations theory, international law and organization
Feng Xu
Associate professor; graduate director Comparative politics, gender, migration and citizenship, Global South (East Asia)
Jamie Lawson
Associate professor Canadian politics, political economy, environmental politics
Justin Leifso
Assistant professor Canadian politics, Canadian public policy, neoliberalism
Kelly Aguirre
Assistant professor Indigenous politics, decolonial and critical theory
Lois Harder
Professor & dean, Faculty of Social Sciences Citizenship law, social policy, regulation of intimate life
Mara Marin
Assistant professor Political theory, feminist theory, critical race theory, critiques of capitalism
Marlea Clarke
Associate professor Comparative politics, political economy of development, Global South (Africa), workers’ rights in commodity chains
Matt James
Associate professor Reparations, social memory, social movements, transitional justice
Michelle Bonner
Professor Comparative politics, democracy, human rights, global south (Latin America)
Rita Dhamoon
Associate professor Feminist and gender theory, critical race politics, anti-colonial and decolonial theory, Canadian politics
Sarah E. Sharma
Assistant professor International political economy, global environmental governance, global north-global south relations
Scott Watson
Associate professor and chair International relations theory, securitization, migration
Simon Glezos
Associate professor Political theory, international relations theory, theories of the state
Will Greaves
Associate professor Global security, international relations, Arctic politics, Canadian foreign policy, environmental politics
Show me program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Your program details
Application deadlines
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
It’s preferable if your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is in political science.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a 1-2 page statement of intent which:
- includes a brief summary of the your prior education and experience
- indicates the field(s) of political science you want to specialize in
- discusses one or two possible thesis topics
- explains how your application relates to your long-term goals
- a writing sample
- two reference names and their email addresses
- post-secondary transcripts
Program specific requirements
It’s preferable if your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is in political science.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a 1-2 page statement of intent which:
- includes a brief summary of the your prior education and experience
- indicates the field(s) of political science you want to specialize in
- discusses one or two possible thesis topics
- explains how your application relates to your long-term goals
- a writing sample
- two reference names and their email addresses
- post-secondary transcripts
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Rachel Richmond at poligrad@uvic.ca or 250-721-7486.