Master of Arts in Political Science - Intelligence and National Security Studies

his degree track will prepare students for the study and practice of national security. Thus, the degree track will help educate students for a career in international diplomacy, the Intelligence Community, the military, private intelligence and security contractors, law enforcement, business, as well as others.

Degree Information:

  • 30 credits
  • 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
  • No GRE required
  • No residency requirement
  • Full-time or Part-time
  • Online classes available
  • Rolling admissions
  • Use My Degree Progress Report (My DPR) to review your academic progress to graduation

For information about the degree or advising, please contact Dr. Karl Kaltenthaler at kck@uakron.edu

Degree Requirements:

  • Department Required Courses: 9 credits
    • POLIT:600: Scope and Theories of Political Science (3 credits)
    • POLIT:601: Research Methods in Political Science (3 credits)
    • POLIT:603: Scholarly Writing & Professional Development in Political Science (3 credits)
  • Track Required Seminars: 6 credits
    • POLIT:610: Seminar in International Politics (3 credits)
    • POLIT:612: Seminar in Security Studies (3 credits)
      • Neither an Independent Study nor Internship credits count as a graduate seminar
  • Electives: 15 credits
    • POLIT:500: Political Extremism & Violence (3 credits)
    • POLIT:510: International Security Policy (3 credits)
    • POLIT:513: Global Public Health Threats (3 credits)
    • POLIT:514: Wealth and Power Among Nations (3 credits)
    • POLIT:545: Al Qaeda and ISIS (3 credits)
    • POLIT:546: National Security Intelligence (3 credits)
    • POLIT:547: Counterterrorism (3 credits)
    • POLIT:548: Intelligence Analysis (3 credits)
    • POLIT:563: Human Rights in World Politics (3 credits)
    • POLIT:611: Seminar in war and Insurgency (3 credits)
    • POLIT:620: Seminar in Comparative Politics (3 credits)
    • POLIT:622: Seminar in Alternatives to Violence at Home and Abroad (3 credits)
    • POLIT:630: Seminar in National Politics (3 credits)
    • GEOG:505: Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)
    • GEOG:547: Remote Sensing (3 credits)
    • GEOG:549: Advanced Remote Sensing (3 credits)
  • Defense of MA Essay of Distinction
  • Pass Comprehensive Exam

Descriptions for Political Science graduate courses (POLIT).
Descriptions for Geography graduate courses (GEOG).

Admission Requirements

Apply at www.uakron.edu/graduate

  • Students must fulfill the admission requirements of the UA Graduate School (no specific undergraduate major in required)
  • Students will have earned a minimum of 3.0 GPA overall on undergraduate degree OR 3.0 GPA for last 64 hours of course work
  • Students will have earned a minimum of 3.1 GPA in political science course work
  • Students must submit two letters of recommendation, a personal statement of purpose, and official transcripts from all universities attended
  • International students must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis.  Applications are welcome yearlong.

Michael J. Morell Center for Intelligence and Security Studies

A resource to prepare the security professionals of tomorrow by bringing together students, faculty, and security practitioners for training, research, and education in the areas of national security, cybersecurity, community security and law enforcement, as well as intelligence analysis and operations.

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