MA program
The Master's program consists of course work and a Master's thesis of approximately 100 pages. The program is designed so that students can complete it in 12 months, although most take up to 2 years.
The thesis component is an important part of our MA program. While many universities have eliminated or downgraded the thesis component, we believe that it is essential for students to gain experience in developing their own research projects.
For more information about the graduate programs in Political Science, refer to the Political Science Graduate Handbook.
Explore research areas
The program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to work closely with a thesis supervisor. Candidates for the MA program should look carefully at the areas of expertise and research interests of the various faculty members. Students with other interests should consult the Graduate Advisor before applying.
Improve your skills by becoming an teaching assistant
Many of our graduate students are able to participate in our Teaching Assistantships program. Teaching assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis to incoming students.
All candidates applying to our Master's program by the January 15 deadline are automatically considered for a teaching assistantship. See here for more information.
Consider an interdisciplinary graduate program
The Department of Political Science also participates in two interdisciplinary programs.
The Cultural, Social and Political Thought Program is offered in conjuction with the Departments of English, History, and Sociology. The program involves additional course work in the form of interdisciplinary CSPT seminars and typically takes 24 months to complete. There is a separate admissions process for CSPT and interested students should direct their inquiries to the Director of the CSPT Program, Dr. Emile Fromet de Rosnay.
The Certificate in Indigenous Nationhood examines the intersections of law, politics and governance and is designed to be completed in 1-2 years. Interested students should direct their inquiries to the Director of the IN Certificate Program, Dr. Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark.
Join British Columbia's Legislative Internship
The Department also collaborates in the administration of British Columbia's Legislative Internship Program. Interns can receive a two-course (3 unit) credit for a research report related to their work. This program is open only to selected graduates of British Columbia universities.
More information is available on the Legislative Assembly website. Other sorts of co-op work placements may be available to graduate students by special arrangement.
The coordinator of the BC Legislative Internship Program for 2018-19 is Dr. Colin Bennett (Fall term) and Dr. Jamie Lawson (Spring term).
Gain work experience in the Co-op program
UVic is home to the largest co-op graduate programme in Canada and the Department of Political Science participates. If you are interested in combining co-op placements with your MA, please see the co-op for graduate students web site for details.