Democracy and Governance Studies

Students will complete at least 42 credit hours arranged to satisfy the following distribution requirements:

1. Three gateway seminars (9 credits): Political Institutions, Democracy Promotion/Democratic Theory, and Comparing Democratic Transitions or Theories of Political Development or Comparative Democratization
2. A course in each of the following thematic areas: History and Theories of Democracy and Democratization; Democracy, Governance and Institutions; Democracy and Civil Society; and Democracy, Governance and Development Policy (12 credits)
3. One course focused of democracy in a world region (3 credits)
4. General elective courses: Six 3-credit courses, as approved by the program directors (18 credits)  Courses must be graduate-level (course number 350 or higher) and cannot be a language course.
5. Credit for course work taken elsewhere: Subject to the approval of the Graduate School, up to six credit hours of such work may be credited toward the M.A. degree, provided that it is earned in graduate-level courses, at a fully accredited university, and with a grade of B or better.
6. Language proficiency examination: Reading capability in one language other than English as demonstrated through the passing of a proficiency exam. International students for whom English is not their first language may apply for an exemption, contingent upon department approval.
7. Comprehensive examination: Students will take a final oral comprehensive exam.
8. Internship option: Students may opt to complete an internship in lieu of taking one or two 3-credit elective courses.