Master of Arts in Political Science

The Master of Arts in Political Science degree at Stony Brook University is an innovative program that uses the lens of psychology to better understand politics. Small courses taught by our full-time faculty focus on the psychology of public opinion, attitude change, persuasion, and political behavior. The program builds on our successful, internationally renowned PhD program in political psychology. The program teaches advanced skills in political psychology, public opinion, political attitudes, and mobilization. The Political Science M.A. program will introduce students to theories that help to make sense of public attitudes and behavior, familiarize them with core research on the dynamics of attitudes and opinions, and provide them with first-hand experience on the major research methods used to study the dynamics of public opinion and behavior. Students in the M.A. program also have the option to get involved in a research study with one of the faculty in the department and through the department’s two political psychology labs. The program may be completed in a calendar year by full-time students and within 2 years by students who select a part-time schedule.