Cost & earnings at University of Colorado Boulder What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
Political Science graduates earn a median $46,283 Across 235 US programmes, two years after finishing
See the degree grade →The Master’s in Political Science and Government at the University of Colorado Boulder is a research-focused graduate degree that prepares students to analyse political institutions, behaviour and policy using qualitative and quantitative methods. It suits applicants who want rigorous methodological training and topical breadth—preparing either for professional work in public affairs, policy and analysis or for continuation to doctoral study.
The programme combines core methodological training with seminars across the main subfields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and public policy. You will study research design and causal inference, applied statistics for social science, qualitative methods, and discipline-specific theory and empirical work. Typical seminar and elective topics include public law and constitutional politics, political behaviour and public opinion, institutions and governance, conflict and security, political economy, environmental and energy policy, and ethics in public life.
Students choose between a thesis (research) option and a non-thesis option; the thesis route emphasises original research under faculty supervision while the non-thesis route focuses on advanced coursework and may include a practicum or capstone project. Course formats emphasise small seminars, research workshops and opportunities to collaborate on faculty-led projects. Independent study and teaching or research assistantships are commonly available.
Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably with coursework in political science or related disciplines (history, economics, statistics, or public policy are relevant). Admissions assess applicants on academic record, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose outlining research interests and goals, and a writing sample demonstrating analytical ability. GRE requirements may vary by year and by department policy; many applicants apply without GRE scores but should check current guidance. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an approved test unless exempt.
Graduates enter a range of careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors or continue to doctoral study. Typical roles include:
The programme’s methodological emphasis equips graduates for positions that require strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, as well as for roles involving policy design, advocacy and strategic communication.
CU Boulder offers a department with diverse research strengths and active faculty in areas such as political behaviour, comparative politics, international security and environmental policy. Students benefit from access to interdisciplinary research centres on campus, opportunities to work on faculty research projects, and institutional links that facilitate internships and applied experience in the Rocky Mountain region and the Denver metropolitan area.
The department’s seminar-style teaching and relatively small cohorts allow close mentorship, while the university’s broader academic community provides collaboration opportunities across public policy, environmental studies and data science. For students seeking both rigorous method training and topical flexibility, CU Boulder provides a balance of theoretical depth, applied research experience and regional policy engagement.
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