Master of Arts in Political Science

Acadia’s graduate program in political science fosters a close relationship between graduate students and faculty in order to offer you a flexible and rigorous academic foundation. You will receive comprehensive instruction in the fields of Canadian politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, and will work on an extended research project under the supervision of one or more of our faculty. You will experience rigorous training in the discipline, preparing you to continue your studies at the PhD level. This training also prepares you for work in the public and private sector and in the areas of journalism, advocacy, international development and organization, education, and law.In Acadia's small and selective political science graduate program you will benefit from small class sizes and individualized attention while having access to faculty with a diverse set of research interests. Many of our students are attracted to the small scale of both Acadia University and the Town of Wolfville - an intimate community located in Nova Scotia’s beautiful Annapolis Valley. With a vibrant cultural scene, a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops, and great locations for outdoor activities, Wolfville and the surrounding area offer you a welcoming and stimulating home.

The current effective threshold for admission is a Bachelor of Arts with Honours Degree in Political Science, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the last two years. We occasionally admit candidates with a major in Political Science or degrees in other disciplines or with lower GPAs, however, we may require coursework in Political Science prior to admission to the MA depending upon the actual qualifications of individual candidates (and their equivalence to Political Science). Your application must include: two (2) letters of reference, curriculum vitae, undergraduate university transcript, a sample of your recent written academic work, general statement of your proposed thesis research that includes information on your proposed research topic, and the application fee as required by Acadia University.Acadia’s minimum admission requirement is 2.67/4.0 GPA OR a 70% in the courses taken in the major field in the last two undergraduate years.