University of Southern Mississippi

What you'll study

The programme provides a balance of theoretical foundations, substantive subfields and hands-on research training. Students typically choose between a thesis (research) option and a non-thesis (coursework/capstone) option, allowing preparation for either professional roles or doctoral study.

• Core research training: graduate-level research methods, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and statistics for the social sciences.
• American politics and government: courses on constitutional law, state and local government, public policy analysis and the politics of race and region.
• Comparative and international politics: comparative political institutions, democratization, international relations and foreign policy.
• Political theory and philosophy: modern and classical political thought, normative theory and contemporary political ideas.
• Public administration and policy: policy process, programme evaluation, ethics in public management, and administrative law (where available).
• Capstone or thesis: a supervised master’s thesis for research-track students or a capstone research project/practicum for coursework-track students.

Seminars and advanced electives allow students to specialise in areas such as southern politics, legislative studies, campaign strategy, or security studies depending on faculty expertise and departmental offerings. Students are encouraged to gain applied experience through internships with government offices, NGOs and local policy organisations.

Structure

The programme is structured to combine seminars, elective modules and independent research. Full-time and part-time study options are frequently available; the thesis route emphasises independent research under faculty supervision, while the non-thesis route emphasises coursework and a practicum or comprehensive examination.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a solid academic record. Admissions typically consider undergraduate GPA, relevance of prior study, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample. Some applicants with strong professional experience but a less directly relevant undergraduate background may be considered.

• Academic transcript: official transcripts demonstrating satisfactory undergraduate performance.
• References: two or three academic or professional letters of recommendation.
• Statement of purpose: a personal statement outlining academic interests, professional goals and intended area of study.
• Writing sample: a research paper or policy paper that demonstrates analytical and writing ability.
• Standardised tests and language requirements: GRE scores may be requested for some applicants; international applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised testing unless exempt.

Prospective students should consult the department for guidance on specific documentation, prerequisite coursework, and the distinction between thesis and non-thesis admission streams.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme enter a wide range of careers across public, private and non-profit sectors. Typical roles include:

• Policy analyst, legislative aide or staffer at local, state or federal government offices
• Public affairs specialist, governmental relations or advocacy roles in NGOs and interest groups
• Researcher or analyst in think tanks, applied research centres and polling organisations
• Positions in public administration and programme evaluation at municipal or state agencies
• Campaign management, political consulting and communications roles
• Further academic study leading to PhD programmes and careers in higher education

The programme’s emphasis on research methods and applied experience also supports careers in data analysis, programme assessment and roles that require strong analytical and writing skills.

Why study at University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Department of Political Science offers focused mentoring from faculty with regional and topical expertise, small seminar classes and opportunities for close supervision of research projects. Located on the Hattiesburg campus, the department benefits from connections across state and local institutions that facilitate internships and applied learning experiences.

Students choose USM for a combination of rigorous methodological training, the option to pursue either a research or professionally oriented master’s pathway, and opportunities to engage with public policy and civic organisations in the region. The programme prepares graduates for both immediate career entry and continued research at the doctoral level.