Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory and Public Policy
McMaster's Department of Political Science is among the most respected programs in Canada. The program examines power and politics at the national level including Canadian and comparative politics, political theory, public policy and administration.
Political Science M.A. graduates go on to work in a wide variety of careers such as policy analysts in government, business and the non-profit sectors.
In this program you will:
- Acquire the theoretical tools and research skills necessary for understanding politics today.
- Complete graduate courses and a faculty supervised major research paper in Politics at one of Canada’s most research intensive universities.
- Be a part of program that is internationally known for its expertise in critical international relations, digital democracy, gender and politics, political economy, labour issues, politics of representation, radical political theory, and social policy (including health policy).
*The Department of Political Science is in the process of recommending changes to the MA program in Political Science, effective September, 2019 subject to required approvals. This program will consist of Course Work with a Major Research Paper not Course Work and Comprehensive Examinations.
Research with us
Our Faculty are highly cited and publish widely. McMaster has expertise in a wide range of areas and can provide you with the the guidance you'll require to develop your own research interests and skill sets. Faculty and their expertise include:
- Karen Bird – Gender and Ethnic Relations, Politics of Representation
- Katherine Boothe - Public Policy, Social & Health Policy
- Michelle L. Dion - Comparative Politics, Gender & Politics, Social & Health Policy
- Greg Flynn – Comparative Politics, Canadian Politics
- Catherine Frost - Political founding and declarations of independence, nationalism
- Nibaldo Galleguillos - Latin America, Human Rights
- Peter Graefe - Canadian Politics, Public Policy
- Ahmed Shafiqual Huque – Public policy, public administration in Developing countries
- James Ingram – Cosmopolitanism, critical theory, democratic theory
- Stephen McBride - Comparative and Canadian political economy, austerity
- Inder Marwah – Liberalism and imperialism, Darwinism, non-Western political thought
- Netina Tan - Comparative Politics, Gender, Race & Politics, Politics of Representation
What our students say...
Cassandra Preece, M.A. '19
"Being given the trust and mentorship to pursue my own areas of interest pushed me to conduct my own research as part of the M.A. thesis stream.
I originally chose the McMaster Political Science M.A. program because of the school’s reputation and its proximity to home in Niagara. After completing my first year, the program had proven to be so much more than that. I have learned more this year than any other time in my academic career.
Not only did the courses expose me to new areas of interest and provide me with applicable skills, but the professors and other members of the department showed a genuine interest in my success."
Program details
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Reputation
One of four Canadian universities ranked in the top 100 world-wide and host site for a United Nations University.
Research
Ranked as Canada's top research-intensive university. We are home to more than 70 research centres and institutes.
Campus
300 acres of property with 30 acres of campus for over 4000 graduate students and 300 postdoctoral fellows.