Program Overview:
Program in History/Political Science
The College of Saint Rose graduate program in History/Political Science is designed to provide a truly interdisciplinary examination of the United States experience in its international context leading to a Master of Arts in History and Political Science.
Objectives
The curriculum has been designed to:
- Foster awareness of the social, economic, cultural and historical contexts within which political decisions are made;
- Develop sensitivity toward the social implications of policy making;
- Reflect contemporary concerns of U.S. society;
- Examine the international role and global involvement of the U.S.; and
- Increase career opportunities for graduates within the framework of a liberal arts tradition.
Students who earn a degree in this program will be qualified to continue graduate study on the doctoral level and pursue careers in government service, international organizations and agencies, foreign service, teaching, research institutions, museums, business, civic organizations, journalism and related occupations.
Program Contacts:
To email the History/Political Science Graduate Chairperson,
Dr. Benjamin Clansy, History, Political Science
To email the History/Political Science Graduate Coordinator,
Dr. Scott Lemieux, Political Science
Program Webpage,
History/Political Science M.A.
Program Requirements:
All students must:
- Complete two core courses (6 credits):
- HIS 501 Historiography: Theory and Practice
- POS 504 Approaches to the Study of Politics
- Students must obtain a grade of “C’ or better in each of the core classes. A grade of “F” in HIS 501 or POS 504 will result in dismissal from the program.
- Complete a minimum of five courses (15 credits) in one of two broad concentrations: United States History and Politics or Comparative History and Politics (thesis credit may be substituted for two courses). Students are required to seek guidance and approval from their advisors for course selection and schedules.
- Complete three additional courses (9 credits) in the other area.
Under ordinary circumstances, students will take the core courses in History (HIS 501) and Political Science (POS 504) early in the program and in residence. Any departure from existing curricular requirements is subject to departmental approval.
Internship/Field Experience/Service:
Students are encouraged to consider the possibility of earning up to six credits through participation in internships. Students also have the option of earning three credits through independent study.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Final Evaluation
The written comprehensive examination is graded on a pass/fail basis. The student must answer and demonstrate competency on three questions, one from the core course and two from the area of specialization. Competency requires that a student’s answer show:
- Solid understanding of the topic;
- Familiarity with relevant sources; and
- Where appropriate, thorough knowledge of the literature related to the topic.
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs are fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
General Admission Information
Eligibility for admission to The College of Saint Rose graduate programs is typically based upon the following minimum requirements:
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Submission of a completed application and a Statement of Purpose of approximately 300 words detailing the applicant’s goals for graduate study.
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Evidence of the possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution through submission of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
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Academic and professional qualifications for graduate study, as indicated by two letters of recommendation.
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A grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), overall and in the undergraduate major.
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Other admission criteria specified by academic programs such as submission of resumes, writing samples, portfolios, test scores, and participation in interviews or admissions workshops.
Applicants to The College of Saint Rose are responsible for completing their applications by submitting all required components. Prospective students may wish to visit our website for online application options and downloadable forms.
See Graduate Admissions section for more information.
Financial Aid
The College of Saint Rose has long been committed to the premise that a quality education should be within the reach of qualified students. To this end, the College serves its student body through a comprehensive program of federal, state, and institutional financial aid. While the basic responsibility for financing education lies with the students and their families, scholarships, loans, and/or assistantships can supplement insufficient family resources. The amount of aid available through the College is limited and is awarded on the basis of academic merit. All financial assistance from the College is subject to adjustment if the recipients are later granted aid from other sources. Financial aid awards are contingent upon students’ maintaining good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress.
See Financial Aid section for more information.
Additional History/Political Science Admission Information:
A student seeking admission to the program must fulfill all general requirements for admission to graduate study. Additional Department-specific requirements include:
- A minimum of 18 credits of prior undergraduate studies in History and/or Political Science is recommended, and at least 9 of those undergraduate credits should be at the upper-division level. Coursework in closely allied social sciences and humanities outside of History and Political Science will be considered toward satisfaction of this recommendation with appropriate documentation (such as course syllabi).
- A writing sample, such as a research paper or extended critical essay, from an upper-division course in either history or political science.
- Letters of recommendation of an academic nature, preferably from professors with strong knowledge of the student’s intellectual skills in history, political science, or other social science field.
Applicants with questions about meeting the departmental requirements are encouraged to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for guidance.
The program director will assist in planning the student’s program of study. All incoming graduate students taking courses in the Department of History and Political Science are expected to attend a new student orientation that takes place at the beginning of each fall semester.
Requirements for Transfer of Credit
Students may request transfer of up to ten credits of their degree program from another accredited graduate school. Approval from the program director is required for any transfer credit. (For additional information about transfer credit, see the Transfer Credit section of this catalog under Academic Policies and Procedures.)
Requirements for Degree
Students must select one of the following degree plans:
- 30 credits with thesis (6 credits) included and a written comprehensive examination;
- 30 credits with a written comprehensive examination, but no thesis; OR
- 36 credits with thesis (6 credits) included, but no comprehensive examination.
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