Political Science and Public Administration

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Philip B. Oldham, Dean

Dr. Dave Breaux, Department Head

Dr. Ed Clynch, Graduate Coordinator

105 Bowen Hall

P.O. Box PC

662-325-2711

Contact: ejc1@ps.msstate.edu

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers graduate study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy and Administration, the Master of Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) and the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science. The department awards a limited number of graduate assistantships.

Public Policy and Administration

Ph.D. Admission Criteria—A student admitted to the Ph.D. program must have earned a graduate degree from an accredited university with a master’s level grade point average of at least 3.35.  The applicant must submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); three letters of recommendation; a current resume, two samples of previously written research (e.g., graduate thesis or capstone analysis) or analytic work completed in his or her professional career; and a statement of professional intent. The Ph.D. committee interviews most applicants.

An international applicant whose native language is not English must have a score of 600 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  A foreign national whose native language is not English and who holds a degree from a college or university in the U.S. must submit a TOEFL score of at least 600 if the verbal GRE score is lower than 500.

Program of Study/Completion Requirements— The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Policy and Administration requires a minimum of 65 semester hours (beyond the master’s degree) comprised of 15 hours of public administration core courses, 12 hours of public policy core courses, nine hours in a selected concentration, nine hours of research methodology, and 20 hours of dissertation research.  The objectives of the program include:  1) preparing graduates for academic teaching careers and 2) preparing graduates for management careers in state and local administration.

Assistantships are available for full-time study. An applicants interested in being considered for financial assistance must indicate that interest at the time of application.

Unsatisfactory Performance—A student in the Ph.D. program will be dismissed if he or she:

·          Has an unsatisfactory Diagnostic Review, or

·          Receives grades of C or lower in seven or more credits of graduate work, or

·          Fails the preliminary exams a second time.

Master of Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.)

The 42-hour Master of Public Policy and Administration program strives to professionalize and diversify public service.  The program prepares persons to serve effectively as public administrators at the national, state, and local levels of government. 

Admission Criteria—A competitive applicant for the M.P.P.A. program must have completed the last two years of undergraduate work with a grade point average of 3.00; applicants with previous graduate work must have a grade point average of 3.00 on such course work.  Moreover, the applicant must submit three letters of recommendation.  An applicant with a lower grade point average may be admitted if she or he has a competitive score on the Miller Analogies Test or on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing portions of the GRE. 

An international applicant whose native language is not English must have a score of 600 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  An international applicant whose native language is not English and who holds a degree from a college or university in the U.S. must submit a TOEFL score of at least 600 if the verbal Graduate Record Examination score is lower than 500.

Provisional Admission—An applicant who fails to meet admission requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis. A students admitted on a provisional basis must receive no grade lower than B during the initial nine hours of graduate work.

Program of Study/Completion Requirements— The Master of Political Science and Administration program consists of four facets:

(1) Required Courses

PPA 8103      Seminar in Public Administration

PPA 8703      Government Organization and Administrative Theory

PPA 8713      Public Personnel Management

PPA 8723      Public Budgeting and Financial Management

PPA 8733      Public Program Evaluation

PPA 8743      Administrative Law

PPA  8803     Research Methods for Public Affairs

PPA 8123      State Government Administration G.  or

PPA 8133      City and County Management

PPA  8903     Public Policy

(2) Elective Courses—12 hours

Each student must complete a 12-hour elective concentration to augment knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired in required courses.  Concentrations improve prospects for a rewarding career in a particular aspect of the public service and Analysis

Unsatisfactory Performance—A student in the M.P.P.A. program will be dismissed if he or she:

·          Receives grades of C or lower in seven or more credits of graduate work, or

·          Fails the comprehensive examination a second time.

Political Science

Master of Arts Admission Criteria—A competitive applicant for the Master of Arts in Political Science program must have completed the last two years of undergraduate work with a grade point average of 3.00; an applicant with previous graduate work must have a grade point average of 3.00 on such course work.  Moreover, the applicant must submit three letters of recommendation.  An applicant with a lower grade point average may be admitted if he or she has a competitive score on the Miller Analogies Test or on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing portions of the GRE. 

An international applicant whose native language is not English must have a score of 600 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  An international applicant whose native language is not English and who holds a degree from a college or university in the U.S. must submit a TOEFL score of at least 600 if the verbal Graduate Record Examination score is lower than 500.

Provisional Admission—An applicant who fails to meet admission requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis. A student who is admitted on a provisional basis must receive no grade lower than B during the initial nine hours of graduate work.

Program of Study/Completion Requirements—The department offers a Master of Arts under Plan One (thesis) and Plan Two (non-thesis) options.  The Plan One (thesis) option is open to anyone who obtains approval by the M.A. Committee.  It requires a minimum of 24 semester hours of approved course work, comprised of Research Methods, Public Policy and 12 hours of additional political science courses, and six hours of approved electives.  In addition, Plan One requires an acceptable thesis and passing a comprehensive examination on all course work and the thesis.  The Plan Two (non-thesis) option is open to anyone with at least 18 undergraduate semester hours in social science courses, including nine hours in political science, who meets the minimum admission requirements.  It requires a minimum of 33 semester hours of approved course work, comprised of Research Methods, Public Policy, 12 hours of additional political science core courses, and 15 hours of approved electives.  If all or part of the elective course work is completed outside of political science, students must choose courses from no more than two other departments.  Plan Two candidates must pass a comprehensive examination on all course work.

Unsatisfactory Performance—A student in the Master of Arts program will be dismissed if he or she:

·          Receives grades of C or lower in seven or more credits of graduate work, or

·          Fails the comprehensive examination a second time, or

·          Receives unsatisfactory grades for two semesters in PS 8000 Thesis Research (thesis only)

Graduate Courses—Course prerequisites are noted in parentheses.

American Politics:

PS 6113        State Government (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6163        The Chief Executive (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6173        Legislative Process (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6183        Judicial Process (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6193        Mississippi Judicial Systems. 3 hours

PS 6203        Political Parties and Electoral Problems (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6213        Campaign Politics (PS 1113 and junior standing). 3 hours

PS 6223        Dynamics of American Democracy (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6253        Southern Politics (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6263        Mississippi Government and Politics (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6273        African American Politics (PS1113). 3 hours

PS 6283        Public Opinion (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6293        Political Behavior (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6743        Environmental Policy (PS 1113, PS 2703, or consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 8113        Seminar in State Government and Politics (PS 4113 and nine hours of related courses, or consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 8153        Seminar in Campaign Politics (PS 8103 or consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 8513        Readings in Local Government and Politics (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 8523        Readings in State Government and Politics (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 8533        Readings in National Government and Politics (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 8903        Public Policy [same as PPA 8903]. 3 hours

PS 9103        American Political Institutions [Same as PPA 9103] (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 9893        American Political Behavior [Same as PPA 9893] (PS 9803 and consent of instructor). 3 hours

International Politics:

PS 6303        United States Foreign Policy (PS 1313). 3 hours

PS 6313        Principles of International Law (PS 1313). 3 hours

PS 6323        International Organization (PS 1313). 3 hours

PS 6333        Theories of International Relations (PS 1313). 3 hours

PS 6343        International Conflict and Security (PS 1313 and junior standing).3 hours

PS 6353        International Political Economy (PS 1313 or consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 6383        National Security Policy (PS 1313). 3 hours

PS 6393        The Global Context (junior standing or consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 8303        Seminar in International Relations (PS 1313 and 9 hours of related courses, or consent of instructor).3 hours

PS 8553        Readings in International Relations (consent of instructor). 3 hours

Political Theory:

PS 6423        20th Century Political Thought (PS 2403 or consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 6433        American Political Theory (PS 1113). 3 hours

PS 6453        Western Political Theory. 3 hours

PS 8413        Seminar in Political Theory (PS 2403 and 9 hours of related courses or consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 9413        Normative Analysis of American Public Policy [same as PPA 9413]. 3 hours

Comparative Politics:

PS 6543        African Politics (PS 1513). 3 hours

PS 6553        West European Politics (PS 1513).  3 hours

PS 6573        South and Southeast Asian Politics (PS 1513). 3 hours

PS 6593        Latin American Politics (PS 1513). 3 hours

PS 6623        Politics of the Third World (PS 1513). 3 hours

PS 8203        Seminar in Comparative Government (PS 1513 and 9 hours of related courses or consent of instructor). 3 hours

PS 8543        Readings in Comparative Government and Politics (consent of instructor). 3 hours

Research Methods:

PS 6464        Political Analysis (six hours in political science). 4 hours

PS 6990        Special Topics in Political Science. 1-9 hours

PS 8803        Research Methods for Public Affairs [same as PPA 8803]. 3 hours

PS 8813        Quantitative Methods for Public Affairs (PS 8803 or PPA 8803) [Same as PPA 8813]. 3 hours

PS 8990        Special Topics in Political Science. 1-9 hours

Research:

PS 7000        Directed Individual Study.1-6 hours

PS 8000        Research/Thesis. 6 hours

Master of Public Policy and Administration:

PS 6703        Principles of Public Administration (PS 1113). 3 hours

PPA 7000      Directed Individual Study. 1-6 hours       

PPA 8103      Seminar in Public Administration. 3 hours

PPA 8123      State Government Administration. 3 hours

PPA 8133      City and County Management. 3 hours

PPA 8143      Civil Rights and Affirmative Action. 3 hours

PPA 8153      Seminar in Privatization. 3 hours            

PPA 8193      Seminar in Intergovernmental Relations. 3 hours

PPA 8400      Public Administration Internship.1-6 hours

PPA 8703      Government Organization and Administrative Theory. 3 hours

PPA 8713      Public Personnel Management. 3 hours

PPA 8723      Public Budgeting and Financial Management. 3 hours

PPA 8733      Public Program Evaluation. 3 hours

PPA 8743      Administrative Law.  3 hours

PPA 8793      Directed Research in Public Administration (PPA 8803 and special permission). 3 hours

PPA 8803      Research Methods for Public Affairs [same as PS 8803]. 3 hours

PPA 8813      Quantitative Methods for Public Affairs (PPA 8803 or PS 8803) same as PS 8813]. 3 hours

PPA 8833      Systems in Public Administration Political Institutions [same as PS 9103](consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9413      Normative Analysis of American Public Policy [same as PS 9413]. 3 hours

PPA 9603      Scope of American Public Administration (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9613      Rural Government Administration I: Theoretical and Environmental Aspects (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9623      Rural Government Administration II: Implementation Aspects (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9703      Organization Behavior in the Public Sector (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9713      Administration of Human Resources in a Public Sector Environment (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9723      Public Budgeting Processes and Their Policy Implications (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9803      Multivariate Analysis and Design for Public Affairs (consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9893      American Political Behavior [same as PS 9893] (PPA 9803 and consent of instructor). 3 hours

PPA 9903      Public Policy Formulation and Implementation (consent of instructor). 3 hours