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Politics

MA in Politics

The Master of Arts in Politics trains graduates in broad theoretical concerns about politics, government, and political values.

CGU’s Division of Politics & Economics educates future scholars of politics, government, and policy to make better decisions through rigorous research and sophisticated understanding of political systems and policy analysis. Our MA in Politics offers a broad-ranging, substantive understanding of American politics. Working alongside faculty who are experts in the field, you’ll conduct high-quality interdisciplinary research on the most pressing political and governmental issues of our time. The program offers built-in flexibility that enables you to customize your curriculum to fit your goals and interests. Upon graduating, you will join the long line of highly successful program graduates who are making their mark in an impressive range of careers.

Program Highlights
  • This MA program offers a concentration in American Politics.
  • The degree requires completion of 12 four-unit courses. Students normally complete coursework in three to four semesters.
  • Our graduate Political Science program was ranked No. 2 in the nation among graduate Political Science programs for “faculty responsiveness and support outside of the classroom.”

Program At-a-glance

  • 36 units

    required units

  • MA in Politics

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Summer, Fall

    program start

  • 1.5-2 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Areas of Concentration

  • American Politics

    The study of American Politics examines political institutions and political behavior in the United States. Courses cover all levels of government: national, state, and local.

  • Comparative Politics

    Scholars of Comparative Politics investigate similarities and differences in patterns of politics across the world. The field of Comparative Politics includes, among others, the study of political institutions and regimes; electoral behavior and procedures; identity, ideology, and culture; public policy; political economy and political and economic development; social movements and organizations; and protest and revolution.

  • International Relations

    Gain a deeper understanding of the link between politics, security, and global political development by utilizing computational and advanced methodological approaches.

  • International Political Economy

    IPE is the study of how international and domestic political processes shape national economies as well as the global economy. Alongside economic theories of international economics, IPE stresses the study of institutions, politics, and relations among domestic and international stake holders in understanding the global economy and international politics.

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Carlos Algara

    Carlos Algara

    Mary Toepelt Nicolai and George S. Blair Assistant Professor

    Research Interests

    American politics, the United States Congress, ideological representation, electoral politics, elite institutions

    View profile
  • Heather Campbell

    Heather E. Campbell

    Thornton F. Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy
    Director, Division of Politics & Economics

    Research Interests

    Public Policy, Urban Environmental Policy, Environmental Justice

    View profile
  • Robert Klitgaard Portrait

    Robert Klitgaard

    University Professor

    Research Interests

    Public Policy, Economic Strategy, Institutional Reform, Corruption

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  • Tyler Reny

    Tyler Reny

    Assistant Professor

    Research Interests

    American Politics, Racial and Ethnic Politics, Political Behavior, Public Opinion, Political Psychology, Data Visualization

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  • Javier Rodríguez

    Associate Professor
    Field Chair for Policy

    Research Interests

    Public & Health Policy, Social Inequality, Quantitative Methods for Social Science Research

    View profile
  • Portrait of Melissa Rogers

    Melissa Rogers

    Associate Professor, Politics & Policy
    Co-Director, Inequality and Policy Research Center
    Field Chair, Comparative Politics
    Field Chair, American Politics

    Research Interests

    Comparative Politics, Political Economy, Economic Inequality

    View profile

Curriculum

Core Courses (16 units)

  • American Politics and Institutions
  • American Political Behavior
  • Congressional-Executive Institutions and Policymaking
  • Representation and Elections

Other Requirements

Research Tools (16 units)

Required:

  • Nature of Inquiry
  • Introduction to Statistical Analysis
  • Advanced Quantitative Research Methods

One tools elective, chosen from:

  • Survey Methods
  • Visualizing Data
  • Computational Tools for the Social Sciences
  • Applied Data Analysis: Limited Dependent Variables and MLE
  • Another tool approved by your advisor

Electives (16 units)

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)
Official Transcripts
English Proficiency Exam
Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.
Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.
Letter of Recommendation

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2025
Classes begin – May 19, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

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Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 36 units
Tuition per unit* $2,070

*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee**: $768 fall semester, $851 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to changes.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.

review financial aid

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