Master of Arts in Political Science (M.A.)
Overview
The Geschwister-Scholl-Institute of Political Science offers a four semester Master of Arts (M.A.) programme in political science. Our master degree is consecutive, i.e. it builds on a bachelor degree in politicial science. It is, therefore, intended for students who have already completed a first academic degree programme of at least six semesters. The programme is limited to seven semesters. The language of instruction is English.
Curriculum
Our degree is discipline oriented and studied without a minor subject. A one semester foundation course provides an overview of the three thematic focus areas that characterize our master degree programme: democratic politics and governance, global and European politics, and public policy and public administration. In accordance with your interests, you then decide on the structure of your further studies. For the second and third semester, you choose two of our three focus areas. In your final semester, you write your master thesis under the guidance of one of our professors.
Focus Areas
From the second semester onwards, you decide on the strucutre of your studies yourself. You choose two of our three focus areas to deepen your studies. The following focus areas can be choosen:
- Democratic Politics and Governance: Investigate, for example, how modern democracies react to populist movements or whether democracies can overcome the climate crisis.
- Global and European Politics: For instance, assess how China's rise to power is challenging the global order and how the European Union is acting in the Ukraine war.
- Public Policy and Public Administration: Analyze, for example, the development of national and international policies in various areas and the importance of national and international bureaucracies in this context.
You can find a detailed description of our focus areas here.
Studying at LMU Munich
Research Orientation
Our master degree programme is research-oriented. Particular attention is paid to the teaching of quantitative and qualitative methods by means of which the student learns to apply theory to empirical reality. In this way you learn to develop and carry out your own research projects.
Intensive Training in Methodology
Parallel to these studies you deepen your knowledge of the methodological foundations of political science. These include, among others, the philosophy of science, qualitative and quantitative methods, and the design of adequate conceptual frameworks for formulating advanced research questions.
Comprehensive Support
Aside from a lecture on the methods of political science the degree course is conducted in small seminars of from ten to thirty students. This study format allows you, in dialogue with fellow students and teachers, to acquire political science knowledge, to apply it to relevant issues, and to test its usability. Organizational support is provided by our study programme coordination.
Application Process
You can find more detailed information on the application process and all required documents here.
International Outlook
We maintain a wide range of international contacts with renowned partner universities from which you can benefit by participating in study abroad programmes. Additionally, the Geschwister-Scholl-Institute of Political Science offers two double master degrees in cooperation with Stockholm University and Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Career Prospects
Our master programme aims at professional readiness in the sense that graduates can cope with diverse and complex tasks in professional practice within a short period of time due to their knowledge of key qualifications, scientific methods, and their ability to abstract, conretize, and transfer.
Due to its focus on research and a broad based education in political science, our master programme offers an excellent basis for a doctorate and a scientific career.
Our alumni also enjoy excellent job prospects off campus. Among others, on the staff of factions and parties at municipal, state, federal or European level, international and non-governmental organizations, political and business consulting, press and public relations, human resource and corporate responsibility departments as well as the foreign service.
Documents
Contact
If you have any questions about our master's degree programme in Political Science, please contact the responsible study programme coordinator, Ms. Lara Waas.