Guidelines for Projects and Theses
Master’s Degree in Political Science
As the final requirement in the master’s degree in political science, students complete a substantial research project to demonstrate the ability to conduct original, independent research. This goal can be achieved in two ways: by completing a project paper or a thesis.
GOVT 798 Political Science Research Project
In almost all cases, we recommend that students take GOVT 798: Political Science Research Project (3 credits) to fulfill this requirement. The goal of GOVT 798 is to produce a substantial and original contribution to political science knowledge on the model of a paper suitable for presentation at a scholarly conference or an article in a scholarly journal. The length of the final product will normally be 25-40 pages. The research project paper should build on a research paper completed for a course in the student’s area of concentration and should be completed over the course of one semester.
Before registering for GOVT 798, the student must present a proposal to his or her project director that outlines the theory, method, selected sources, and data used to revise the course paper. Students will not be permitted to enroll in GOVT 798 until their proposal is signed by the project director. In addition, registration for GOVT 798 requires an individualized section form available in the main office of the Department of Public and International Affairs. This section form will be authorized by the project director and signed by the department chair only after a satisfactory proposal is received. The individualized section form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the last day to add classes in the semester the work is to be started. (This date is published each semester in the Schedule of Classes.)
GOVT 799: Political Science Thesis
In rare cases, it may be appropriate for a student to take GOVT 799 Political Science Thesis. The thesis requires a minimum of 6-credits and is completed over the course of at least 2 semesters. Approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
George Mason University sets formatting guidelines for the thesis and requires that all students complete a thesis format review with the University Dissertation & Thesis Coordinator. Information on forms and formatting and be found on http://thesis.gmu.edu
Like GOVT 798, the goal of GOVT 799 is to produce a substantial and original contribution to political science knowledge that is appropriate for conference presentation or publication; however, the thesis will normally be 80-100 pages. In addition, the thesis requires the approval of a three-member thesis committee and must be publicly defended. Guidelines for completing the thesis are determined by George Mason University policy.
Before the student can submit a proposal and register for GOVT 799, a thesis committee must be approved by the department chair. At least two of the three members of the committee, including the thesis director, must be members of the Department of Public and International Affairs. One member may be appointed from outside the Department, though this is not required. This outside member may be a member of the GMU community or a recognized scholar in the political science community. Members from outside the department must be approved by the department chair.
Once the committee is approved, the student must present a proposal to his or her thesis committee that outlines exactly how the student plans to execute the thesis project, including theory, method, selected sources, and data. Students will not be permitted to enroll in GOVT 799 until their proposal is signed by the entire thesis committee and the department chair. Once the proposal is approved, the student submits an individualized section form to the Office of the Registrar to register for GOVT 799. We suggest that the approval process take place the semester before the student begins the thesis work, but in any case, it must be completed before the deadline for the last day to add courses.
A student completing a thesis must offer a public defense of the thesis to the committee and others in the Department of Public and International Affairs. It is expected that the student will make a presentation of findings and respond to questions from the committee and from other faculty and students who are present. Upon a successful defense, the committee will sign the official thesis cover form. The student may then present the thesis for signature in the dean's office by the last Friday of classes of the spring semester for May graduation. (This date can be found in the Schedule of Classes.) This means the student must defend the thesis before that date allowing enough time for any minor revisions to be completed to the satisfaction of the committee and official paperwork to be processed.
