Master of Arts in Political Science (1 year)

Please note: the latest course information is available at http://politicalscience.ceu.edu/ma-programs

The one-year MA Program in Political Science offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum in theory and research methods in contemporary political science. US standards in research and teaching are combined with the varied requirements of an international student body. The program is aimed at students who have graduated from a four-year BA degree. The program invites students wishing to develop the analytical skills necessary to achieve excellence in the following areas: politics and economics of democratization in a comparative perspective, international development, comparative and European politics, current issues in the theory and practice of constitutional democracy, political theory, political sociology, and political economy. The MA program targets both future academics and students who wish to pursue careers in non-academic jobs requiring considerable skills in social and political analysis, typically in the civil service, the news media, NGOs, political and cultural organizations, and private businesses. 

Specializations

It is mandatory for all students to specialize in one of the following fields:

• Comparative Politics
• Political Economy
• Research Methods and Techniques
• Social and Political Theory
• Political Behavior
• Democracy and Social Change

Entry Requirements for the Master’s Programs 

Candidates for the one-year MA Program must have at least four-years' university education prior to joining CEU. Successful applicants usually hold a first degree in economics, history, law, political science or sociology, although other degrees will be given equal consideration. Students seeking admission to the Political Science Department’s MA program must meet the General CEU Admissions Requirements and submit the following:

• a 100-word statement of purpose describing the reason(s) why they are applying to the program;
• a short (approximately 500 words) exposition of an issue or problem in political science in which they are interested;
• samples of previous writings and/or a list of scholarly publications and relevant research experience (as applicable). Note that these materials will not be kept, commented on or returned by the department.

In exceptional cases, applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree may be allowed admission into one-year master’s programs. The applicants should be aware that they may not be able to pursue a doctoral degree in the European Higher Education Area if they have accumulated less than 300 ECTS credits in their prior university studies. Applicants wishing to pursue an academic career should choose their master’s program accordingly (two-year master’s in case they completed a three-year bachelor’s degree, and one-year master’s in case they completed a four-year bachelor’s degree). For the list of conditions under which exemptions may be granted, please refer to the program’s website.