The comprehensive stream of the MA in Political Studies consists of course work, a research paper, two written comprehensive exams and an oral comprehensive exam.

Course Work

Students in the comprehensive stream of the MA program must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours at the 700 level in Political Studies. In some cases and with written permission of the Department's Graduate Committee, students may substitute 6 credit hours of course work at the 700 level in a related discipline or may be permitted to take 6 credit hours at the 400 level in Political Studies. Students who have completed the Manitoba Legislative Internship can have this count as six credits (The Manitoba Legislative Internship Seminar) towards the required 24 credit hours of coursework (further information on the Internship can be obtained from the Graduate Chair of the Department of Political Studies).

Fields of Concentration

Students must select two areas of concentration. One of these is designated as the major field (the field in which the research paper is completed) and the second as the minor field. Students will select these fields in consultation with the Graduate Chair and his/her advisor, and indicate to the Department's Graduate Committee their choices upon requesting to write the comprehensive examinations.

Research Paper

Students must submit a research paper in their major field, on a topic approved in consultation with the advisor. The research paper must be no more than 20,000 words in length, in double-spaced typescript (roughly 80 pages). These papers can be based on a paper prepared for a 700 level course, but should also demonstrate: a more substantial research effort and greater familiarity with the secondary materials relating to the topic than would be the case for a course paper. The student is expected to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the subject-matter and the major research literature on that topic; in addition, he/she is expected to analyse the available evidence cogently and critically. While the use of primary and documentary sources is not required, it is strongly encouraged.

After completing the research paper under the direction of the advisor, the student must provide a copy to each member of the oral comprehensive examination committee through the Department's Graduate Chair. If the research paper is acceptable to the examination committee, the oral examination will not be scheduled sooner than fourteen days and no later than one month after its receipt and successful completion of both written comprehensive examinations.

Written and Oral Examination Committees

In consultation with their advisor, a written examination committee will be chosen consisting of two members of the Department, each specializing in one of the candidate's chosen minor and major fields, whose responsibility it is to submit a set of comprehensive examination questions in the field for the written examination. Neither of these committee members should act as the student's advisor.

The oral examination committee shall consist of the student's advisor, the two members of the written examination committee and a fourth member of the Department who shall act as committee chair for the purposes of the oral examination. The chair is approved by the Graduate Chair of the Department of Political Studies.

Comprehensive Examinations

A three-hour comprehensive examination is to be written in each of the candidate's chosen fields. Candidates need not write both examinations together, but must write both within a two-week (14 day) period and only after submission of the research paper. Candidates must inform the Department's Graduate Chair of their intention to write comprehensive examinations indicating the major and minor fields of the examination, and the proposed members of the written and oral examination committees. This correspondence must be accompanied by a written assurance from the candidate's advisor that the student has (or will have) satisfied all the necessary requirements in advance of the written comprehensive dates. Written notice of intent to write the examination must be submitted by February 15 for spring graduation; April 15 for summer graduation; and August 1 for fall graduation.

In each written examination, the candidate will normally be expected to choose and answer a minimum of two questions from a larger set of questions. The questions normally require essay-type answers, and are designed to demonstrate both knowledge and competency in the particular fields being examined. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor and the members of the comprehensive examination committee as to proper preparation and examples of the questions that might be asked. Results of the comprehensive examination are submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies as "approved/not approved." Approval requires the achievement of an over-all average of B (3.0 grade points) in the two written comprehensive examinations with NO examination grade below C+ (2.5 grade points). In the event that they fail to satisfactorily meet this requirement, candidates may request in writing to be re-examined in ONE but NOT BOTH fields during the five year period allowed for completion of the degree. No candidate may present him/herself more than twice for the written comprehensive examination.

Comprehensive Oral Examination

The comprehensive oral examination is usually a one to three hour oral examination of a student's competency, based upon the student's performance on the written comprehensive examinations and the research paper. The examination is conducted by the oral comprehensive examination committee consisting of four Department members. Notice of the oral examination is sent to members of the Department and the wider University community at least one week in advance of the oral examination but their participation in the proceedings will be governed, in each instance, by rules determined by the chairperson of the examining committee in consultation with committee members and the candidate. Students who fail the oral examination are expected to re-sit the oral examination within the five-year period allowed for degree completion. Failure at a second attempt requires withdrawal from the program.