1 GRADUATE COUNCIL MEETING 9 May 2012 102 Kern Graduate ...

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Master's Degree Requirements
Depending on the student's previous methodological training, 30 credits of course work,
including an essay, are required for a master's degree. The course work includes a
methodological core of 9 credits (PL SC 501, 502, and 503); 12 credits in a primary field
(including the survey seminar in the field); 6 credits in a secondary field; and 3 credits for the
M.A. essay. Students also take a seminar on teaching and professional development in political
science. There are no language requirements for the degree. Every master's candidate is required
to pass an examination of their master's essay.
Transfer Credit: A maximum of ten (10) credits of high-quality graduate work done at a
regionally accredited institution or recognized degree-granting institution may be applied toward
the requirements for a master's degree. However, credits earned to complete a previous degree,
whether at Penn State or elsewhere, may not be applied to a second master's degree at Penn
State.
Doctoral Degree Requirements
The Department of Political Science requires a minimum total of 60 post baccalaureate credits
for the Ph.D. Course work accepted for the M.A. in Political Science will count toward the 60-
credit requirement. At least 45 credits, exclusive of the dissertation, must be in political science.
Transfer Credit: A maximum of ten (10) credits of high-quality graduate work done at a
regionally accredited institution or recognized degree-granting institution may be applied toward
the requirements for a doctoral degree. However, credits earned to complete a previous degree,
whether at Penn State or elsewhere, may not be applied to a second doctoral degree at Penn
State.
Recognized Credit: A maximum of 30 credits earned in an advanced degree program at a
regionally accredited institution or recognized degree-granting institution or in another graduate
program at Penn State may be recognized to count toward the 60-credit requirement.
The department requires that a student complete the designated "core" courses in methodology
(PL SC 501, 502, and 503) and a seminar on teaching and professional development in political
science. Ph.D. degree candidates must present three fields for the purposes of comprehensive
examinations. The major and one of the minor fields must be selected from the department's
recognized fields, and one of the minor fields may be outside political science. The major field
requires a minimum of 15 credits; each minor field requires a minimum of 9 credits.
The communication and foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. may be satisfied by
advanced course work and competence developed in foreign languages, statistics, or other
research methods.