College of Arts and Sciences
Departments
History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies
Political Science
M.A.T. in Political Science (ONLINE)
The educational component of the program teaches you how to apply the science and art of teaching to college- level instruction. Coursework covers instruction and curriculum, assessment, diversity and inclusive teaching, and research.
As a student in the political science component of the program, you study major political figures, philosophies, and movements throughout history in order to understand the political events of today. You complete coursework in subfields of political science (and the central questions they address) so that you can teach students to critically evaluate political institutions, analysis, and schools of thought. You also gain a crucial understanding of American political institutions and behaviors in comparison to political climates around the world.
Specific areas of focus include:
· Empirical theory and the scope of political science
· Political science research methods
· Political theory and political thought
· Political behavior, opinion, and identities
· Government and political institutions
· American politics in a comparative perspective
Program Learning outcomes
Graduate Political Science Component Upon completion of the Master of Arts for Teachers in Political Science, students will be able to:
1. Explain the role of political science within the social sciences, the various methods used to build the body of knowledge in political science, and the practical application of this knowledge to our political environment.
2. Understand, evaluate and conduct empirical social science research through literature review and the application of tools and strategies for collecting and shaping public opinion, including polling, focus groups, and advertising.
3. Interpret, analyze, and trace the influence of major theories and themes in American political thought.
4. Isolate and analyze factors that shape the political attitudes, beliefs and preferences on individuals and groups and map their impacts on political behavior and decision-making.
5. Students will be able to evaluate and analyze the institutions, processes, and behaviors associated with American politics.
6. Situate and analyze American political institutions, processes, and behaviors in a comparative perspective that accounts for regional and international differences.
Graduate Education Component Upon Completion of the Education Component of the Master of Arts for Teachers in Political Science, graduates will be able to:
1. Teach introductory college-level classes that prepare students for future academic success;
2. Engage in the development of rigorous curriculum planning and design;
3. Promote college-level studies skills and habits of mind;
4. Use assessment data to inform college-level instructional practices;
5. Prepare dual-credit students for success in college-level assessments;
6. Conduct research to improve dual-credit instruction.
MAT Requirements
To earn the MAT in Political Science, you must complete 30 credit hours.Requirements are broken down as follows:
• Core Political Science courses (18 cr)
• Education Component (12 cr)
I. Political Science Component (18 cr)
Students complete one enrollment in each of the following six classes:
1) POLS-P 570 Introduction to the Study of Politics 1
2) POLS-Y 580 Research Methods in Political Science OR POLS-Y 524 Research Methods for Public Affairs OR
2) STAT-S 512 Statistical Learning and Data Analysis OR STAT-S 520 Introduction to Statistics
4) POLS-Y 675 Political Philosophy
5) POLS-Y 567 Public Opinion: Approaches and Issues OR POLS-Y 575 Data Analysis for Political Science
6) POLS-Y 661 American Politics
7) POLS-Y 657 Comparative Politics OR POLS-Y 757 Comparative Politics
II. MAT Political Science—Education Component (12 cr)
To fulfill the Education Component of the MAT in Biology, students complete one enrollment in each of the following four classes:
1) EDUC-H 520 Social Issues in Education
2) EDUC-J 500 Instruction in the Context of Curriculum
3) EDUC-P 507 Assessment in Schools
4) EDUC-Y 520 Strategies for Educational Inquiry