3 New Grad Degrees Planned in Political Science

The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences will offer three new graduate degrees in political science this fall.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved UT Dallas’ request to create master’s programs in political science, constitutional law studies and legislative studies.  All three are 30-credit degree programs that can be completed in as quickly as 12 months.

Each program is designed to serve a distinct purpose and student audience.  The master’s in political science might appeal to students who are considering entering academic professions and intend to pursue a doctorate in political science.  The school currently offers a Ph.D. program in political science.  Students who are already enrolled in this doctoral program will now have the opportunity to pick up a master’s along the way.

The constitutional law studies and legislative studies programs are geared toward students who are interested in a professional track, such as working for a legislative staff or going to law school.  There are very few of these specific pre-professional programs in the country, and these will be the first of their kind offered in the state.

Students in both programs will be exposed to the professions in their area of study.  Constitutional law studies students can expect lectures from prominent local lawyers, and the legislative studies students will do a six-credit legislative internship.

“These new programs will add to the impressive growth now occurring in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences,” said Brian Berry, dean of the school.  The school’s graduate enrollment has more than doubled during the past four years.

“The mix of academic and professionally oriented degree offerings is particularly important in a school that focuses on important issues of public policy,” Berry added.

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