Earn a master's degree in Government and Politics at St. John's University.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Government and Politics at St. John’s combines rigorous academic study with the opportunity to develop valuable practical skills that are highly attractive to a wide array of employers across the public and private sectors. You’ll benefit from our small class sizes, individual attention from our distinguished faculty, and the flexibility to develop breadth and depth in the field of government and politics. You’ll become an expert in composing policy briefs and reports; drafting and evaluating project proposals, resolutions, and public statements; and completing in-depth evaluations of domestic and foreign events and trends. The program will prepare you for an array of opportunities in the civil or foreign services, positions of political or administrative responsibility in the public or private sectors, careers in education, or for further study as a doctoral or law student.
Contact:
William Byrne
Director M.A. Government & Politics
[email protected]
- Degree Type
- MA
- Area of Interest
- Law, Policy & Government
- Associated Colleges or Schools
- Program Location
- Queens Campus
- Required Credit Hours
- 33
The 33-credit M.A. program offers both a thesis and non-thesis option and can be completed in one year of fall, spring, and summer semester study. We offer five concentrations: American Government, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, and Public Policy and Administration. You can complete any of these five concentrations on our Queens, NY campus. To add an experiential dimension to your classroom study, we encourage you to take advantage of our vibrant internship program, which offers a wide variety of relevant experiences in New York City.
The master's program in Rome, Italy is currently paused.
You can also earn a certificate in Public Administration in Government or International Law and Diplomacy. These certificates -- both of which require 18 credits above the master’s degree -- can be earned in conjunction with the M.A., after completing the M.A., or independently as advanced certificates.
Program Contact
Program Requirements
You can complete the M.A. in Government and Politics in one year of full-time study, including summer study. Graduate courses on the Queens campus are offered in fall, spring, and summer sessions and are scheduled in the evening or online to accommodate working students.
Non-Thesis Option
- GOV 205 Modern Political Research
- Twelve credits in your major concentration
- Three credits in Political Theory courses
- Six credits in your minor concentration
- Nine elective credits in any concentration
Thesis Option
- GOV 205 Modern Political Research
- Twelve credits in your major concentration
- Three credits in Political Theory courses
- Six credits in your minor concentration
- Three elective credits in any concentration
- Six credits of GOV 900 Master’s Research
- Demonstration of knowledge of a foreign language (French, Spanish, or Italian) by passing an approved examination or a non-credit reading course in the language
Comprehensive Exam
- During your last semester in the program, after the completion of at least 24 credits, you will be asked to sit for a comprehensive examination to test your knowledge in your concentration.
Graduate Admission
For admission to graduate studies in the Department of Government and Politics, students are expected to have an undergraduate preparation of at least 18 credits in government and politics, political science, or an equivalent field, and a 3.0 GPA. Any deficiency in preparation may require supplementary or conditional credits in the form of suitable graduate courses, as determined by the department.
Government and Politics Courses
The following sample courses represent the five areas of concentration for the M.A. in Government and Politics. Course descriptions are listed in the University’s Graduate Bulletin.
American Government
- GOV 148 Media and Politics
- GOV 216 US Intelligence Policy
- GOV 364 American National Security Policy
International Relations
- GOV 153 International Organization
- GOV 156 Global Environmental Politics
- GOV 263 Politics of Revolution, War, and Terrorism
Comparative Politics
- GOV 131 Politics of the Middle East
- GOV 136 Politics of the European Union
- GOV 296 Politics of the Welfare State
Political Theory
- GOV 162 Modern Political Ideologies
- GOV 176 Politico-Religious Mass Movements
- GOV 269 Global Politics of Gender
Public Policy and Political Administration
- GOV 163 Ethical Problems in Government and Public Administration
- GOV 190 Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining in Government
- GOV 241 State and Local Government
Government and Politics Graduate Program
Career Outcomes
Internships and Career Placement
In New York City, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of unique internship opportunities, thanks to relationships that our faculty and administrators maintain with several international organizations, multinational organizations, and government and non-governmental agencies. You can receive up to three credits for internships once you have completed at least 12 credits of coursework for the M.A., and we encourage all students in the program to do at least one internship. In New York City, students in the program have interned with the United Nations, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and various law firms and city agencies.
These internship opportunities have led to career paths for many of our students, and our graduates have fulfilling jobs around the globe in a variety of fields including: the Civil or Foreign Service; the United Nations; policy think-tanks, international NGOs; major multinational corporations; and dynamic start-up companies. Some graduates from the program have also gone on to law and doctoral programs in political science or related fields.
With an M.A. in Government and Politics degree, you can join our successful alumni in landing rewarding positions with some of the following institutions and organizations:
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Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition rates for the Queens, NY campus are listed online. U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are interested in studying at St. John's are eligible for federal graduate loans. St. John’s also offers additional options for financing your degree, including scholarships, graduate assistantships, and resident assistantships.
Graduate assistantships are awarded to matriculated students on a semester basis. They are based on academic achievement and possession of the skills necessary to fulfill the requirements of the position. Graduate assistantships are available to full-time graduate students in good academic standing. A graduate assistant receives tuition remission for up to 9 credits per semester.
The Pope Paul VI Scholarship, which began in 1965, is available to diplomatic personnel from Permanent Missions to the United Nations (UN), as well as UN personnel interested in pursuing a Master of Arts in Government and Politics or an Advanced Certificate in International Law and Diplomacy or Public Administration. Eligible candidates must provide a letter of proof of employment to verify the student’s affiliation with the United Nations or Embassy. This partial scholarship covers 50 percent of tuition for the M.A. in Government and Politics or the Advanced Certificates in International Law and Diplomacy or Public Administration.
The Special Graduate Scholarship for Public Employees is available for students who are public management employees pursuing a master’s degree within the Department of Government and Politics. Eligible students should contact the department for further information.
The Stecklow Steiner Endowed Scholarship is also available to graduate students in Government and Politics.
Graduate Faculty and Research Expertise
As a Government and Politics graduate student on the Queens campus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from faculty members with expertise in a variety of fields.
Interested in Law, Policy & Government, but not sure if Government and Politics, Master of Arts is right for you?
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