Inside of a parliament of Canada library.
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    Faculty

    • Faculty of Arts
    • Faculty of Graduate Studies

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Master of Arts in Political Studies

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2 years

  • icon pathway

    Program options

    • Thesis stream
    • Major Research Paper stream
    • Pre-master's

Program details

The Department of Political Studies offers programs of study leading to a Master of Arts in Political Studies and a pre-master's option.

Master of Arts in Political Studies

Expected duration: 1-2 years

Tuition and fees: Program fees are assessed in the first two terms of study, followed by a continuing fee in the third and any subsequent terms. (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)

Thesis stream:

In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section, students must:

  • Complete 15 credit hours of coursework in political studies at the 7000-level including POLS 7100 (The Study of Politics) and POLS 7300 (Research Methods in the Study of Politics)
  • Complete and successfully defend a thesis

Major research paper stream:

In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section, students must complete:

  • 18 credit hours of coursework in political studies at the 7000-level including POLS 7100 (The Study of Politics), POLS 7110 (Major Research Paper) and POLS 7300 (Research Methods in the Study of Politics)
  • A major research paper

Sample course offerings

  • POLS 7100: The Study of Politics (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 7230: Comparative Politics of Advanced Industrial States (3 credits)
  • POLS 7340: Canadian Government (3 credits)
  • POLS 7350: Canadian Democracy (3 credits)
  • POLS 7710: Liberalism and Its Critics (3 credit hours)
  • POLS 7790: International Relations Theory

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Visit our faculty page for more information on the diversity of our research interests.

Pre-master's

Expected duration: 1 year

Tuition and fees: Varies (refer to the pre-master's section in Graduate tuition and fees)

The pre-master's program is designed to prepare students for subsequent entry into the master's program. Students in the pre-master's program must normally complete:

  • 24 credit hours of coursework in political studies at the 4000-level

Under special circumstances, students may substitute six credit hours at the 4000-level in an ancillary subject or six credit hours at the 3000-level in political studies. Decisions on substitution rest with the Department of Political Studies Graduate Committee and must be obtained in writing.

Please note: Admission to the pre-master's program does not guarantee admission the the master's program.

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Master of Arts in Political Studies program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

To be considered for admission into the political studies master's program, you must have a four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or successfully complete the pre-master's year.

How to apply

The Master of Arts in Political Studies program accepts applications for Fall entry only. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

  • $100 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Publication/writing sample
  • Statement of intent
  • Two letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if required

Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis. The Admissions committee for Political Studies reviews applications in April.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Canadian, US and international applicants

Term Annual application deadline
Fall (September) December 15

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Department of Political Studies, Faculty of Arts
532 Fletcher Argue Building
15 Chancellor's Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2

political.studies@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9733
Fax: 204-474-7585

Visit the Department of Political Studies

Meet Political Studies faculty and staff