MA Political Science

The Department offers a regular M.A. in Political Science program in four areas, Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory and Public Policy. Students must indicate the area in which they wish to major in their application.

In the M.A. in Political Science, studies in all areas may take the form of course work and Major Research Paper (MRP), or course work and a thesis.

A. Course Work with MRP
Students in this option are required to complete:

a. Four (4) political science graduate courses; at least two in a major field (Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory and Public Policy) and one in a minor field (Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory and Public Policy.
b. One (1) additional graduate course
c. MA Colloquium course, POLSCI 775
d. Major Research Paper (10,000 words), POLSCI 708

B. Course Work with Thesis
Five half courses (or equivalent) and a thesis, which must demonstrate independent research skills. Full-time students who wish to write a thesis must submit a thesis proposal for departmental approval by a date to be determined by the Department. If the thesis proposal is not approved, students may continue in the course work/MRP option. The thesis option is normally a two-year program.

Selecting Your Courses

Students are required to complete 18 units (5 half courses + MA MRP) of course work beyond the B.A. level. Depending on the courses selected, this may mean three half courses plus the MA Colloquium (POLSCI 775) in Term 1, and two half courses plus the MA Colloquium in Term 2, or vice versa.

Students will be required to consult with the MA Advisor on the appropriate courses to take.

MA Colloquium Course

POLSCI 775 MA Colloquium

The Colloquium will take place every second week in the Fall and Winter terms under the leadership of the Convenor. It will be a three-hour meeting with all of the MA students. It will consist of faculty presentations highlighting their research and professional development sessions on topics such as grant writing, PhD programs and career information.

Other sessions will focus upon skills needed for the Major Research paper (choosing a topic and supervisor, preparing an outline etc.).

Major Research Paper

POLSCI 708 Major Research Paper

In addition to completing 18 units of graduate level coursework, students enrolled in the M.A. in Global Politics are required to complete a Major Research Paper (MRP) or a Collaborative MRP in the spring/summer term following their coursework.

The major research paper (MRP) is an opportunity for students to do an extended piece of research on a topic of their choosing. A collaborative MRP involves the identification of a shared research interest among a group of two or more students and a division of labour that may specify both an identifiably individual component and a collaborative component that is coauthored. Guidance on the MRP will be provided in the MA Colloquium. Students will be assigned a faculty supervisor in consultation with the MA Colloquium Convenor/Political Science Advisor.

Fall 2026 (September) Admission Information

Online application system opens: October 1, 2025

Deadline: January 31, 2026

Minimum Admission Requirements

Admission to the MA program requires a clear B+ average or better in an Honours Political Science Bachelor’s degree, a four year major political science degree or similar.

Please note that admissions is competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

The MA program as a full-time registered student is 1 year in length (September-August). The MA program can also be completed on a part-time basis, and this would take anywhere from 2 to 3 years from initial registration in the program.

This program is offered in-person only.

Notes:

• Only COMPLETED and SUBMITTED applications will be reviewed by the Department
• Applicants to the MA program are strongly encouraged to apply for the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarships Competition (Scholarship Deadline is December 1st), provided they meet the eligibility requirements. For more information, visit the School of Graduate Studies: Scholarships

Required Application Documents

Graduate Studies Online Application

Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens October 1st each year. In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below. Some required documents must be submitted through the online application.

Statement of Interest

• A statement of interest (approximately 500 words, single or double-spaced, maximum of 1 page).
• The statement must be uploaded as a PDF attachment through the online application system.
• Your statement of interest should clearly describe your reasons for pursuing an MA degree, research interests, previous studies, experience and your career objectives.

CV/Personal Resume

• An electronic copy of your most recent CV/Resume must be uploaded as a PDF attachment through the online application system.

Official Academic Transcripts

• Upload a scan of all official university transcripts completed to date to the application system. Remember to include a copy of the transcript key/legend or scale from the transcript.
  Fall grades are required. If you submit an application before the grades are available, you will be required to send an updated scan of your official transcripts to dozzim@mcmaster.ca
• Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of a Student Exchange Program must also be included.
• If the official language of instruction at your institution is not English, please include both the original language document and a certified English translation.
• DO NOT submit an unofficial transcript or a student record print.
• If you receive an offer of admission further instructions will be given on how to submit formal official transcripts.

Academic References

• Two (2) confidential reference letters are required from instructors most familiar with your academic work.
• All referees are required to complete the e-Reference.
  You will be required to include contact information and an email address for each referee when completing the application.
• The electronic referencing system will send an e-Reference request on your behalf.
• Do not submit letters from employers even if they are academic employers (TA or RA).

English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

• If English is not your native language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required.
• Such applicants are required to supply this evidence as part of your application.
• Applicants whose university studies were complete at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement (an official letter from the institution is required).
• The English Proficiency exam must have been completed within 2 years of the application due date.
• This requirement must be met prior to an offer of admission. There will be no exceptions to the language requirement.
• The most common evidence is a score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• TOEFL: minimum score is 92 (iBT-internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based). The McMaster University TOEFL/TSE Institution Code is 0936 and the Department Code for Political Science is 89.
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score is 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section.

International Applicants
We are pleased to have applications from outside of Canada but please be aware that we have very limited funding for international students. As a result, admission is very competitive. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for awards or support from external private or public resources for which they may be eligible well in advance of applying for admission.

International applicants wishing to enter Canada on a study permit should also contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for further information.

Application Fee

The system will charge a non-refundable application fee. Please have a valid credit card ready to pay the application fee. The fee will not be refunded or waived. For further information regarding the application fee and payment, please see the SGS How to Apply page.

Application Deadline

January 31, 2026 (for September 2026 admission)
We do not offer a Winter (January), or Spring (May) start date.

Financial Information
The Department of Political Science at McMaster offers some financial support to incoming MA students. Funding is sometimes comprised of a graduate scholarship and/or teaching assistantship.

Funding is awarded for academic excellence and the availability of these funds varies from year to year. This funding is open to all domestic students.

A separate application is not necessary, since all applicants for graduate studies at McMaster University are automatically considered. All funding is contingent on enrollment of the students.

Scholarships
Upon admission to McMaster, graduate students are automatically considered for other available funding. Any offers that include funding will state the amount and duration of funding, conditions for renewal (if any), terms of continued funding, and other relevant details.

Internal Awards

Bursaries
Bursaries are granted on the basis of demonstrated financial need according to the principles of the Province of Ontario’s Student Access Guarantee. They are intended to supplement a student’s own financial contribution, parental assistance, government aid and personal loans/lines of credit to help the student to complete the academic year.

In order for students to be considered for any donor bursary, they must have completed a full time OSAP application or another provincial government student aid application, or a standard university need profile, and they must apply to the Graduate General Bursary through AwardSpring.

Academic Grants
Academic Grants are granted on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated financial need as stated above.

Internal Scholarships (including travel awards)
Internal scholarships support students registered in a specific program or Faculty through the generous contributions of our benefactors and donors, and initiatives from the School of Graduate Studies. Selection is based on academic merit and/or research excellence. Students can apply for most of the internal scholarships through AwardSpring. A small number of scholarships don’t have applications as they are awarded by departmental nomination as per the terms of the award. It is critical that students consult with their departments regarding eligibility, application procedures and deadlines as each department will have its own process for internal review. Departments forward their recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies for final approval.

External Awards
External awards tenable at the University are given by federal and provincial government agencies and other private organizations that rely on McMaster University to recommend candidates, facilitate payments, and ensure compliance of terms and conditions of the award. Examples include Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS).

The application process for the majority of these awards is usually held one year in advance of receipt of the award (for example, competitions are held in the Fall for awards starting in September of the subsequent year). For further information on applications and eligibility requirements, please see the SGS Scholarships page.

Specific Political Science Awards
Below are examples of some awards currently available to enrolled Political Science graduate students. Eligible students apply through AwardSpring.

The Ellen Louks Fairclough Scholarship in Political Science
Established in 2005 to commemorate the life of The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough, PC, CC, FCA, LLLD, FRCGS, DH, UE, Canada’s first female cabinet minister and lifelong advocate for women’s rights. To be awarded to a student enrolled in a graduate program in political science. Preference will be given to a student with an interest in Canadian public policy.

The William Coleman Fund
The William Coleman Fund was established in 2011 by Dr. William Colemam. To support PhD students in the Department of Political Science who are conducting field research.

The Political Science Travel Grant
To support research and professional development by assisting graduate students with costs related to doing fieldwork or attending academic conferences. This grant is open to both MA (thesis option) and PhD students. There are two rounds of applications each year with the deadlines being October 15th and January 30th. Applications are submitted directly to the Department.

To see additional information regarding scholarships and awards, please visit the School of Graduate Scholarships page.

International Applicants
We are pleased to have applications from outside of Canada but please be aware that we have very limited funding for international students. As a result, admission is very competitive. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for awards or support from external private or public resources for which they may be eligible well in advance of applying for admission.