IMPORTANT: deadline for admission to be considered for funding is January 15
IMPORTANT: deadline for new and returning students to apply for the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) is January 15
A separate application for the UMGF must be completed in addition to the application for admission.
Click here to download the UMGF application instructions.
Click here to download the UMGF application form.
The Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba offers a program of full or part time study leading to the Master of Arts (MA) degree. The objective of the MA program is to provide an advanced level of understanding of political systems, decision-making processes, and procedures, institutions, and policies at all levels of government. The degree is designed to prepare students to pursue further graduate work and also prepare them for careers in education, law, politics, community development, policy analysis, journalism, advocacy, management, and consulting.
For students who do not meet the admission requirements of the MA program, there is an opportunity for students to better prepare themselves when they decide to apply to an MA program by applying to the pre-Master's (pre-MA) program. It is important to note that completion of the pre-MA program does not guarantee a student will be automatically admitted to the MA program.
The information provided on the MA and pre-MA program on this website should be read in conjunction with the Faculty of Graduate Studies' Academic Guide and the general regulations and policies of the University of Manitoba that are published in the Graduate Calendar. In all cases, Faculty of Graduate Studies' regulations will apply except where these have been modified by the Department of Political Studies' Department Council.
Admission Requirements to the Pre-Master's and Master's Programs
Pre-Master's Program
The pre-Master's program is designed for students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the Master's program. To be eligible for pre-Master's study, applicants will normally possess a general Bachelor's degree with a major in Political Studies (30 credit hours including one course in Political Theory) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B). Applicants possessing a general Bachelor's degree in another discipline with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (B+) will also be considered for direct entry into the pre-Master's program, primarily on the basis of their completion of Political Studies or directly related courses.
Master of Arts Program
To be admitted into the Master of Arts program, a student must meet the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Manitoba, including English language proficiency requirements. Each student must also meet the supplementary requirements established by the Department of Political Studies. Normally, admission to the Master's program in Political Studies is through successful completion of the pre-MA program, outlined below, or by completion of a BA (Honours) program in Political Studies. Students holding a BA (Honours) degree are expected to have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 (B+) in their last 36 credit hours in Political Studies courses, to have completed a course in Political Theory, and to have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B). Other applicants will be considered for admission to the Master's program in Political Studies if they hold a BA (Advanced) with a major in Political Studies, and have a course selection pattern and performance in those courses that is comparable in quality to that of a BA (Honours) student. Applicants possessing a BA (Honours) degree in another discipline with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (B+) will also be considered for direct entry into the program, primarily on the basis of their completion of Political Studies or directly related courses.
Application Deadlines and Procedures
International applications must be received in the Department by January 15th. Canadian applications will be accepted until June 1st. Students should understand, however, that Canadian applications received after the January 15th deadline will have missed the deadlines for most graduate awards and fellowships.
To be considered for admission to either the pre-Master's or Master of Arts programs, students should forward the following to the Faculty of Graduate Studies:
- Faculty of Graduate Studies Application for Admission form and all documents and fees that it requires;
- one copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that the student has attended. These transcripts must be received by the department in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. Where academic records are produced in a language other than English, the applicant must arrange for the submission of official literal English translations of all records;
- two letters of reference. These letters must be received by the department in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing referees;
- a brief letter of intent indicating the student's research interests and outlining why they wish to study with the Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba; and
- a sample of written work, preferably a recently completed essay in a Political Studies' course.
Program Requirements
Pre-Master's Program
The pre-Master's program is a one-year program designed to prepare students for subsequent entry into the MA program. Admission to the pre-Master's program does not guarantee future admission to a MA program in Political Studies; students in the pre-Master's program are required to follow the normal application procedures for entry into the Master's program.
A student in the pre-Master's program will normally be required to successfully complete 24 credit hours at the 4000 level in Political Studies. Under special circumstances, the substitution of 6 credit hours at the 4000 level in an ancillary subject or at the 300 level in Political Studies may be allowed. Decisions regarding the substitution of courses for the fulfilment of the program requirements rest with the Department's Graduate Committee and must be obtained in writing.
Students in the pre-Master's program must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (B+) with no grade lower than a B (3.0 grade-points) in course work to be eligible for admission into the Master's program.
The Department's Graduate Chair normally acts as advisor to students admitted into the pre-Master's program. As early as possible, the Chair and the student must meet to develop the program of study for the following year. Any requested changes to the agreed-upon program must be submitted in writing to the Department's Graduate Committee for approval.
Master's Program
The main purpose of the MA program is to provide students with a solid background in Political Studies, first, by ensuring that they acquire a comprehensive knowledge in at least two fields of Political Studies, and, second, by developing their ability to undertake independent research. The five fields of Political Studies covered by the Department of Political Studies are: Canadian politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and public administration. The MA program consists of two independent streams of study: the comprehensive stream and the thesis stream. Students are expected to select a stream at the beginning of their program of study.
The maximum time length to complete the MA program is 5 years.
Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (B+) with no grade lower that a 3.0 (B) in their course work. In cases where this requirement is not met, the Department's Graduate Committee may, at its discretion, allow a student either to repeat up to 6 credit hours of course work at the 7000 level or to substitute up to 6 credit hours of course work at the 7000 level in order to meet this standard.
Student progress shall be reported annually to the Faculty of Graduate Studies on the Annual Progress Report Form. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory performance may be required to withdraw on the recommendation of the Department Head to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
All changes to a student's program, including advisors, fields, or program of study (including course selection) must be submitted in writing in a timely manner to the Graduate Chair for approval.
For further information contact:
Val Myers
Graduate Program Assistant
532 Fletcher Argue Building
(204) 474-9733
political_studies@umanitoba