Overview

Key Features

The Political Science program from Portland State University has been intentionally and thoughtfully designed to be a safe place for students to explore graduate level political science scholarship and is customizable to meet individual interests and needs. For those pursuing the PSMS as a terminal degree, or for students who simply want to add real-world political experience to their graduate education, we have a top-notch internship program that has long-standing relationships with city, regional, state, and federal offices, as well as many local, national, and international NGOs.

Our graduate students have the option of doing internships for credit during their second year—professional opportunities that often lead to full-time jobs after graduation.

For students who aspire to earn their doctorate and become political science professors, our program excels and specializes in preparing students to be admitted to and succeed in a top-ranked Ph.D. program. From day one, you will receive instruction in the discipline’s key theories and research methods, learn the realities of the academic profession, and begin developing expertise in one or several political science subdisciplines: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory. Because the program is relatively small, our top-notch faculty are able to give personalized attention to each graduate student, offering advice and lending insight as needed.

Career opportunities:

The faculty are enthusiastic and committed to helping students discover if a career as a political scientist will bring them fulfillment. Our faculty have graduated from the best political science Ph.D. programs in the country, such as Yale, University of Michigan, UC San Diego, and Cornell University, and are experts in their discipline. Best of all, our faculty understand what it takes to be admitted and successful in a Ph.D. program, as well as how to guide students who have chosen political careers outside of academia.

Several of our alumni have been admitted to Ph.D. programs with full-funding due to the quality of their scholarship and applications. With our training and guidance, partnered with their hard work and commitment, our alumni were highly-qualified applicants that are not paying ANY tuition for the Ph.D. Program and are earning money as teaching and research assistants.

We are proud to have alumni of the MS in Political Science accepted with full-funding at: Northwestern University, University of Michigan, Emory, Cornell, and University of Washington, to name a few. In addition, we proud to have alumni with successful full-time jobs at Mercy Corps, the Portland City Council, the U.S. State Department, and Senator Jeff Merkley's office, to name a few.

Obtaining a Master of Science in Political Science from Portland State University will give you the skills, connections, and knowledge to find and thrive in a career that makes you happy and successful.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Advanced Overview of Political Science
Research Design for Politics and Policy

Testing Theories in Political Science

How to Teach and Present Social Science

Political Science Elective
Thesis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

50 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Political Science View 290 other Masters in Political Science in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.7

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

To be considered for regular admission, applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or the equivalent (on the U.S. 4.0 scale) from the degree granting institution(s). Applicants who have earned 9 or more letter-graded graduate credits must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent; this graduate GPA supersedes the undergraduate GPA.
Copies of official degree certificate/diploma
Certified translation of transcripts
Financial documentation demonstrating adequate financial support for at least the first year of study

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

17250 USD / year

≈ 17250 USD / year
Out-of-State

17250 USD / year

≈ 17250 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

11575 USD / year

≈ 11575 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Political Science.

Available Scholarships

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About

Overview

Key Features

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Portland

Financing

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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