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Academic catalog · 2026–2027

Master in Political Science

The Master in Political Science studies political ideas, institutions, and behavior through historical, comparative, and normative inquiry. It addresses authority, legitimacy, sovereignty, constitutionalism, democracy, civil society, and the organization of political communities.

Program overview

Classical and modern political thought is read alongside Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, scholastic political reflection, and Catholic social thought. Political anthropology, natural law, subsidiarity, and the common good shape the program’s central questions while empirical and institutional analysis preserves its disciplinary breadth.

Admission requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent undergraduate qualification from an institution acceptable to PCU-USA.
  • Official transcripts from every postsecondary institution attended.
  • A curriculum vitae describing academic, professional, or research experience.
  • A statement of purpose explaining the applicant’s preparation and proposed field of graduate study.
  • A substantial academic writing sample demonstrating analytical ability.
  • Evidence of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Curriculum

  1. Foundations of Political Science — 3 credits
  2. Methods of Political Inquiry — 3 credits
  3. Comparative Political Institutions — 3 credits
  4. Augustine, Aquinas, and Political Order — 3 credits
  5. Authority, Legitimacy, and Sovereignty — 3 credits
  6. Democracy and Constitutionalism — 3 credits
  7. Political Anthropology and Natural Law — 3 credits
  8. Civil Society, Subsidiarity, and Solidarity — 3 credits
  9. Church, State, and Religious Freedom — 3 credits
  10. Catholic Social Thought and Public Life — 3 credits
  11. Graduate Research Seminar in Political Science — 3 credits
  12. Master’s Thesis in Political Science — 3 credits

Learning outcomes

  • Analyze political institutions using historical, comparative, and normative methods.
  • Interpret major classical, Christian, and modern accounts of political authority.
  • Evaluate legitimacy, sovereignty, democracy, and constitutionalism.
  • Examine political anthropology and natural law as foundations of political judgment.
  • Assess civil society, subsidiarity, solidarity, and Church–State relations in plural societies.
  • Synthesize empirical evidence with arguments about justice and the common good.
  • Conduct independent research in political science.

Assessment

  • Assessment includes institutional analysis, comparative case studies, primary-text exegesis, research design exercises, seminar papers, and oral examinations. The thesis must make a disciplined contribution to political inquiry through historical, empirical, interpretive, or normative methods.

Completion requirements

  • Earn all 36 required credits.
  • Pass every required course and remain in satisfactory academic standing.
  • Complete and obtain institutional approval of the master’s thesis or final scholarly project.
  • Resolve all academic-record and graduation requirements before conferral.