Why should I apply to the program?
The graduate program in political science at Kent State University has established itself as a premiere location for advanced study in public policy and political science. We offer four tracks of study: American politics and policy, transnational and comparative politics and policy, justice politics and policy, and policy analysis and administration. Comprised of nationally-recognized faculty, the program prepares students for careers in university teaching, government service, and research-based organizations. The program is designed to produce critical thinking about how government policies impact the lives of citizens, and how citizens influence public policy. Our program thus offers a unique balanced between the traditional political science deepartment and one with a special focus on domestic and cross-national public policy.
What opportunities are there for funding?
Most students in the program receive a generous financial support package, guaranteed for four years, that includes a nine-month salary, in-state tuition, and health insurance. Students are funded as graduate research assistants, teaching assistants or teaching fellows. Opportunities for 12 month stipends (summer funding) are also available for many graduate students.
How much individual attention will I receive?
With a carefully controlled admissions policy and more than 25 faculty members, the department offers the opportunity for close student-teacher interaction. Seminars are limited in size and most have enrollments of 10-12 students. Faculty members regularly supervise individual research courses that permit students to investigate specialized research topics on a one-to-one basis.
What type of research opportunities are there?
The program is designed to prepare students to engage in teaching and research at universities and colleges, and conduct policy research at top public and private research organizations. From the first year onward, students become involved in collaborative research with faculty that often generates conference papers, journal publications and book chapters. Most students also present and/or publish single-authored work during their time at Kent State. The department assures funding for students to present papers at professional conferences held in other cities each year.
Will I have an opportunity to become involved in professional activities?
The department holds regular national conferences, workshops and symposia on various policy topics such as criminal justice policies, state politics, and the democratic challenges of globalization. We are the editorial home of the journal Policy Sciences and the annual series Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change. Faculty members in the department also oversee a variety of applied research programs, including the Center for Applied Conflict Management, Ohio Employee Ownership Center, Center for Public Administration and Policy, and the Center for the Study and Development of Minority Businesses.
I want to teach. Will I get some teaching experience?
Students are offered the opportunity to take our special seminar, "Teaching Political Science," and serve as teaching assistants before eventually teaching their own undergraduate political science courses that are directly related to their career goals. Thus, our graduates have a distinct edge once they enter the job market.
What are the qualifications of the faculty?
Our faculty excel in teaching, research, and community service. Six of our faculty members have been recognized for their teaching excellent by winning University-wide teaching awards. Research productivity is evidenced by the more than twenty books produced by faculty since 2000 and the numerous articles published in the top political science and public policy journals.
Is it possible to complete the program while working full-time?
Most of our classes are offered in the late afternoons, evenings and even Saturdays. The scheduling is designed to give students working full time the opportunity to finish the program.
Do you offer courses during the summer?
Although we have not traditionally offered graduate courses in the summer, we are currently considering the possibility. There are, however, other departments at Kent State that offer graduate-level courses which can count toward fullfilling the requirements of the M.A. or Ph.D.
If I have an M.A. can I still apply?
Absolutely. Although not a prerequisite, many of our students have some graduate-level experience.
How high do I have to score on the GRE to be accepted?
In making the decision to admit students, the Graduate Studies Committee takes into account a number of factors including grade point average, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, statement of intent, and the writing sample. New students typically have GPAs of 3.0 or higher and a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of about 1150.