Plan B:  Two papers and oral defense (6 hours)

Although students planning to continue their studies in pursuit of a Ph.D. in Political Science are strongly advised to pursue the Plan A option, the Department also offers a Plan B option for those students who expect the MA to be their terminal degree.  The Plan B option requires students to:
 

• complete 6 additional hours of graduate coursework (in lieu of 6 hours of Thesis Writing)

• submit two research papers as evidence of scholarship.

These papers must be prepared in connection with a seminar, an independent research course, or a graduate-level course in the Department of Political Science. Accordingly, before a student’s final semester, the student shall form a Plan B Paper Committee, including a Chair and two additional members. This Committee shall determine whether the submitted papers, normally after revisions, are satisfactory for permanent filing. In addition, students will be required to complete an oral defense of each of these papers before the Committee. A minimum of 15-20 pages for each paper is suggested.
 

• Prospectus for Plan B (Non-Thesis Option)

• Plan B Worksheet (Non-Thesis Option)

• Graduate Forms
  

Students are encouraged to view the College of Graduate Studies website for details of their admission standards and the CMU Graduate Bulletin.  Additionally, students interested in the program may pick up information and application guidelines from the Political Science Department office, Anspach Hall 247.