The Political Science Department offers graduate programs designed for students interested in learning more about the political world around them and for those seeking careers in academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and other related fields in politics, policy, and public management.
This section of our website includes most of the information you need about our programs. Additionally both prospective and current students are also encouraged to read over and view our Political Science Graduate Programs Information Booklet.
Our PhD in Political Science covers four fields: American government, comparative politics, international relations, and public policy. The curriculum introduces students to all four fields, though each student will concentrate on a primary and secondary field. The program also develops a student’s research skills through a series of methodology courses. This curriculum then acts as a foundation for our PhD candidates in the writing and defending of their dissertations. The PhD program prepares students as practitioners, researchers, and teachers.
Our Master of Arts in Political Science focuses on the core scholarly areas of political science. Students specialize in one of four concentrations: American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, or public policy. Courses in the MA program serve as a foundation for work in a doctoral program or as preparation for a career in government, a nonprofit organization, or the private sector.
Our newest graduate program, the Master of Science in Security and Resilience Studies (starting in the Fall 2014 semester), utilizes the interdisciplinary expertise of scholars from across Northeastern University. A cutting-edge academic program, it provides a unique combination of traditional security studies coursework with training in technical fields such as cybersecurity policy, business sustainability, and urban coastal resilience.
The Master of Public Administration Program (MPA) is an independent graduate program affiliated with the Department of
Political Science and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. It combines theoretical foundations with practical skills to prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. Students have the option to take courses online or on-campus. Students complete core courses and design a sequence of electives relevant to their individual academic and professional goals. The MPA program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
