MA program
The Master's program consists of two streams:
MA program requirements: Thesis stream
Master's program requirements: MA with thesis option
| Thesis-stream MA Requirements | Units |
|---|---|
| Two field seminars: POLI 507, 508, 509, 516, 540 | 3.0 |
| POLI 505 | 1.5 |
| One elective course | 1.5 |
| Thesis: POLI 599 | 9.0 |
| Total Units | 15.0 |
Details about the program requirements are available here.
MA Program requirements: Major research paper stream
Master's program requirements: MA Major Research Paper stream
| Major Research Paper MA Requirements | Units |
|---|---|
| Two field seminars: POLI 507, 508, 509, 516, 540 | 3.0 |
| POLI 505 | 1.5 |
| POLI elective courses | 3.0 |
| Elective course | 1.5 |
| Major research paper: POLI 598 | 6.0 |
| Total Units | 15.0 |
Details about the program requirements are available here.
The thesis stream requires four courses and the MRP stream requires six. The thesis stream is designed so that students can complete it in 12 months, although most take up to 2 years. The MRP stream is designed to be completed in 12 months, though students may take longer if they wish.
For more information about graduate programs in Political Science, please refer to the Graduate Handbook.
Improve your skills by becoming an teaching assistant
Most of our graduate students are able to participate in our Teaching Assistantships program. Teaching assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis and candidates interested must apply by responding to the calls for applications sent to the departmental email list. The main call for applications is issued in June. For more information on the TA program, please see the Political Science Graduate Student Handbook.
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 2020-21 is Dr. Jamie Lawson.
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.