Political Science (M.S.) - General
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| INTL 500 | Fundamentals of International Relations | 3 |
| PPOG 503 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PPOL 505 | Applied Public Policy Research Methods | 3 |
| PSCI 500 | Scientific Inquiry and Research Design | 3 |
| PSCI 501 | American Government | 3 |
| PSCI 600 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 610 | Contemporary Political Process & Trends | 3 |
| Thesis or Elective Courses 1,2 | ||
| PSCI 688 | Thesis Proposal | 3 |
| PSCI 689 | Thesis Research 3 | 3 |
| PSCI 690 | Thesis Defense 4 | 0 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
- 1
Students may take two elective courses2 instead of PSCI 688, PSCI 689, & PSCI 690.
- 2
Choose from the following courses: Any 500-600 level course offered by the Helms School of Government. Other 500-600 level courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- 3
While PSCI 689 may be taken more than once, only one enrollment in the course will be permitted to count toward degree requirements.
- 4
Any thesis student who is not ready for enrollment in PSCI 690 after completing PSCI 689 may be required, as determined by the student’s thesis chair, to repeat PSCI 689 until deemed ready for enrollment in PSCI 690.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Cognate 1 | ||
| Choose nine credit hours of General Cognate courses | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
- 1
Choose from the following courses: Any 500-600 level course offered by the Helms School of Government. Other 500-600 level courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 36 hours
- A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 3.0 GPA
- No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree (includes grades of C+ & C-)
- No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
- Degree must be completed within 5 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date
Program Offered in Online Format
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| PSCI 500 | Scientific Inquiry and Research Design | 3 |
| PSCI 501 | American Government | 3 |
| PPOL 505 | Applied Public Policy Research Methods | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| INTL 500 | Fundamentals of International Relations | 3 |
| PPOG 503 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Third Semester | ||
| PSCI 600 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PSCI 610 | Contemporary Political Process & Trends | 3 |
| PSCI 688 | Thesis Proposal | 3 |
| PSCI 689 | Thesis Research 2,3 | 3 |
| PSCI 690 | Thesis Defense 2,3 | 0 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Choose from the following courses: Any 500-600 level course offered by the Helms School of Government. Other 500-600 level courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- 2
Any thesis student who is not ready for enrollment in PSCI 690 after completing PSCI 689 may be required, as determined by the student’s thesis chair, to repeat PSCI 689 until deemed ready for enrollment in PSCI 690.
- 3
Students may take two elective courses1 instead of PSCI 688, PSCI 689, & PSCI 690.