Web site at: http://www.utep.edu/pols/
111 Benedict Hall
Phone: (915) 747-5227
E-mail: politicalscience@utep.edu
CHAIRPERSON: Roberto E. Villarreal
GRADUATE FACULTY: Barracca, Brenner, Coronado, Graves, Kruszewski, Longoria, Peterson, Price, Rocha, Soden, Staudt, Villarreal, Weaver, Webking
Programs
Political Science graduate students may pursue one of two graduate programs, choosing among the Master of Arts degree and the Master in Public Administration degree.
Master of Arts in Political Science
Basic Requirements for Admission to the MA Program
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in Political
Science or a related area
- Satisfactory GRE or GMAT score as determined by the Department's Graduate Studies Committee
- Satisfactory GPA (3.0) in all upper-division undergraduate work
Specific Requirements for the MA Degree
The Master of Arts in Political Science requires the successful completion of 30 semester hours: 24 hours of course work and 6 hours for the thesis. There must be a minimum of 21 hours, including
POLS 5398 and
POLS 5399, of graduate-level courses. No more than 9 hours of eligible upper-division undergraduate courses, taken for graduate credit, are permitted in a program. No more than 6 of these hours may be included in a major.
The MA Degree Plan shall include:
- Research Preparation (3 hours)
POLS 5300 Research Methods in Political Science
- Three of the following seminars from among five general fields: (9 hours)
- POLS 5310 Political Participation
- POLS 5320 Public Law
- POLS 5330 International Politics OR
POLS 5333 Comparative Politics
- POLS 5342 American Political Thought
- POLS 5351 Administrative Theory
- Four electives from among the specialized graduate-level seminars offered in the sub-fields of
Political Science; or, with the advice of the Graduate Advisor, 2 electives from Political
Science and 2 from a related minor field, or 1 from Political Science and 3 from the minor
field (12 hours)
- Two Thesis courses: (6 hours)
POLS 5398 Thesis
POLS 5399 Thesis
Total Hours: 30
Master in Public Administration
The Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree provides professional education for students interested in public service careers. The program is designed to stress the knowledge, skills, values, and behavior essential to the successful public servant. Some flexibility in curriculum is permitted to meet the diverse educational needs of pre-entry and in-career students, changing career students, and students in different career specialties in public administration. The curriculum components are designed to produce professionals capable of intelligent and creative analysis, communication, and action in the public sector context.
Basic Requirements for Admission to the MPA Program
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Satisfactory GRE or GMAT score as determined by the Department's Graduate
Studies Committee
- Satisfactory GPA (3.0) in all upper-division work
- All students must have the course equivalent of 3 hours of Public Administration and
3 hours of American Government as a prerequisite to the graduate seminars in the
MPA Program
- In-career students may be requested to submit vitae of their professional work and
letters of recommendation to complete the evaluation for admission and eligibility to
enroll in certain courses
Specific Requirements for the MPA Degree
Completion of at least 42 semester hours of course work consisting of the following:
- At least 27 hours of courses in the theoretical, methodological, and technical
components of public management
POLS 5300 Seminar in Research Methods in Political Science
POLS 5350 Seminar in Administrative Theory
POLS 5351 Seminar in Advanced Research Methods in Public Administration
POLS 5352 Seminar in Financial Management Administration
POLS 5353 Seminar in Human Resources Management
POLS 5354 Seminar in Administrative Law and Regulation
POLS 5358 Administrative Ethics and Responsibilities
POLS 5362 Seminar in Public Sector Accounting
POLS 5364 Seminar in Public Policy Analysis
Selected MBA core courses may be substituted for some of these courses, depending on course offerings by each program. Advance approval of MPA director is required for substitution.
- Completion of an additional 12 hours of approved electives. No more than 6 hours of
electives can be at the undergraduate level in courses approved for graduate-level
credit.
- Satisfactory performance in a comprehensive written final examination of six hours in
length in the core subject areas of public administration. Students are required to
enroll in and successfully complete
POLS 5367 before being permitted to take the
exam. (
POLS 5367 is not included in either the 27 hours of requirements or the 12
hours of electives.) A student may repeat the comprehensive exam only once if failed
and must also re-enroll in
POLS 5367 before doing so.
- Upon admission, the MPA Director may direct students who do not already possess
significant administrative experience to enroll in
POLS 5366 (Internship in Public
Administration) as part of their 12-hour elective requirement.
Those students who want to take courses in Criminal Justice to satisfy the 12-hour elective requirement for the MPA degree must take the following courses:
CRIJ 5300 Seminar in Criminal Justice Administration
CRIJ 5308 Seminar in Juvenile Justice
CRIJ 5320 Seminar in Corrections
CRIJ 5340 Seminar in Selected Topics
Two Degree Option - MPA/MBA
Students may also enroll in a two-degree option MPA-MBA program. The objective of this program is to permit students with broad interest in both the public and private sectors to double register in both the MPA and MBA programs. With the increasing interdependence of the public and private sectors, this option is attractive to those students wishing to pursue careers in positions responsible for working with their counterparts in private or public organizations. In order to be admitted into the two-degree option, the applicant must specify the option at the time of application to the Graduate School. Students who wish to enter either the MPA or MPA-MBA programs should consult with the Director of the MPA program with regard to admission, required courses, approved electives, petition for candidacy, and comprehensive examinations.
The program consists of 60 semester hours of graduate study, of which 30 hours are in areas of Public Administration and 30 hours in Business Administration.
Specific Requirements for the MPA/MBA Two-Degree Option
- Students must meet all requirements for admission to both programs.
- The same leveling work required of an MBA student without a BBA will be required,
subject to the waiver procedures currently operative in the MBA program.
- The program consists of 27 semester hours of core MPA courses, 24 semester hours
of core MBA courses, 6 semester hours of graduate business electives,
POLS 3567,
and a comprehensive written exam in the core subject areas of public administration,
plus any additional required courses. The number of hours necessary to complete the
two-degree option will vary depending upon each student's background and previous
academic work.
- The core curriculum in each of the separate degree programs must be satisfactorily
completed.
- Electives must be approved by the academic advisor of both programs; upon such
approval, the core courses of one program may be used to meet the elective
requirements of the other.
- Admission and continuance decisions are handled separately by the MPA and MBA
graduate committees and by the Graduate School.
Registration
No student may be registered as a graduate student of the Department of Political Science without the advice of, and signed approval of his/her program by, the Graduate Advisor for MA students or the Advisor for the MPA program for MPA students. This applies not only to the initial registration, but to all subsequent enrollments.
Satisfactory Performance
Satisfactory performance in all graduate programs of the Department of Political Science is defined as maintaining a 3.0 GPA. A student in any of these programs receiving a grade of "C" or lower in two courses taken for graduate credit will be dismissed from the graduate program.
For Undergraduate and Graduate Students
The following undergraduate courses have been approved for graduate credit. Enrollment in them must be in consultation with the graduate advisor.
POLS 3310 Political Socialization and Political Culture
POLS 3313 Public Opinion and Public Policy
POLS 3332 Political Geography
POLS 3333 State and Society
POLS 3353 State Administration
POLS 3410 The Legislative Process
POLS 3411 The Presidency
POLS 3414 Women, Power, and Politics
POLS 3421 Philosophy of Law
POLS 3431 Relations of Post-Communist States
POLS 3433 European Politics
POLS 3434 Regional Politics
POLS 3436 Caribbean and Central American Politics
POLS 3438 Relations Between the United States and Mexico
POLS 3441 Democracy
POLS 3442 Contemporary Political Thought
For Graduate Students Only
All seminars may be repeated for credit when the topic varies.
Political Science (POLS)
American Political Processes
5310 Seminar in Political Participation (3-0)
Public political behavior in parties, interest groups, and elections.
5311 Seminar in Racial, Ethnic, Gender Politics in America (3-0)
An analysis of race, ethnicity, class, and gender in American politics, with emphasis on
such concepts as multi-culturalism, assimilation, alienation, and separatism.
5312 Seminar in Political Leadership (3-0)
A study of the theoretical and practical foundations of leadership behavior, including the
styles and interactions, confrontational as well as collaborative, of persons in various
positions of political authority.
5313 Seminar in Political Communication (3-0)
The study of the formation of shared public perceptions through various media and the
analysis of their political effects.
5314 Seminar in Urban Politics (3-0)
Politics in the urban environment, with emphasis upon the effects of heterogeneity and
pluralism.
Public Law
5320 Seminar in Public Law (3-0)
Covers a wide range of substantive and/or procedural topics in public law and/or the
sociological analysis of the functioning of law.
5321 Seminar in Judicial Process and Behavior (3-0)
An analysis and evaluation of the judicial process and trial and appellate judges' behavior
in state and federal courts, including the organization of courts, judicial recruitment and
appointment, judicial decision making, and the implementation and effects of judicial
policies.
5322 Seminar in Comparative Law (3-0)
A study of the differences in substance, procedure, methods, and ways of thinking
between the United States and countries of the civil law tradition (most European
countries, Mexico, and Latin American countries).
Comparative and International Politics
5330 Seminar in International Politics (3-0)
Examines the political structures and the interactions that characterize the global nation-
state political system.
5331 Seminar in International Organizations and International Law (3-0)
Focuses on the creation and operation of international organizations, both state and non-
state based, and on the continuing evolution of international law.
5332 Seminar in Foreign Policy Decision Making (3-0)
Examines in detail the process of decision making within individual international actors
and the cumulative effects of such decisions.
5333 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3-0)
Study of comparative political systems, including comparative political cultures.
Emphasis on the methodology of comparative politics.
5334 Seminar in the Politics of Developing Countries (3-0)
Focuses on the politics and economics of developing nations in global context.
5335 Seminar in Post-Communist Transition (3-0)
Focuses on the politics and economics of selected countries undergoing post-communist
transition.
5336 Seminar in Southwestern Border Politics (3-0)
United States-Mexico relations as they affect the international frontier, with emphasis
upon political leadership, ethnicity, and institutions.
5337 Seminar in Latin American Politics (3-0)
A study of the political systems of Latin America. Offerings of the course may focus
upon one country, regions, or all of Latin America.
6303 Seminar in Cultural, Linguistic, and Political Borders (3-0)
This seminar provides an interdisciplinary immersion into cultural, linguistic, and political
issues in the U.S.-Mexico border region, their policy implications, and the challenges
posed to policy solutions amid political-administrative divisions. Course participants will
be expected to work as teams in problem-solving experiences designed to go beyond the
readings and classroom to make use of the border context.
Political Theory
5340 Seminar in Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy (3-0)
Study of the works of major western political philosophers of the ancient and medieval
periods.
5341 Seminar in Modern Political Philosophy (3-0)
Study of the works of major western political philosophers from the modern period.
5342 Seminar in American Political Thought (3-0)
Study of American political thought with special focus upon the founding.
Public Administration
5350 Seminar in Administrative Theory (3-0)
Basic introduction to the major theories and approaches which form the basis for the
practice of public administration. (
MGMT 5311 may be substituted, with permission of
MPA advisor).
5351 Seminar in Advanced Research Methods in Public Administration (3-0)
Practical in-the-field application of quantitative and methodological techniques by
government agencies, with special emphasis on microcomputers. The seminar usually will
be taken during the second semester of graduate study.
5352 Seminar in Financial Management and Administration (3-0)
Analysis of the concepts and theories of public fiscal administration. Emphasis is placed
on budgeting, accounting, purchasing, and debt administration. (
FIN 5305 may be
substituted, with permission of MPA advisor.)
5353 Seminar in Human Resources Management (3-0)
The study of the social, political, and legal dimensions of public personnel management
with emphasis on human resources, development, and implementation. (
MGMT 5322
may be substituted, with permission of MPA advisor.)
5354 Seminar in Administrative Law and Regulation (3-0)
The legal problems of the administrative process, including the uses of administrative
discretion, fact-finding, and hearing procedures, and the methods and scope of judicial
review of administrative decisions.
5355 Seminar in Comparative Public Administration (3-0)
A comparative view of government administration in developed and developing countries. Examines both the effects of culture on government bureaucracy and the efforts of
governments to promote socioeconomic development. May include emphasis on U.S.-
Mexico border administration.
5356 Seminar in Non-Profit Sector Administration (3-0)
Examines the special administrative challenges in the nonprofit sector, with attention to
practical management and problem-solving. Includes topics such as the nature and scope
of the nonprofit sector, fund raising, volunteer management, government and public
relations, and the organization of nonprofit institutions.
5357 Women and Men in Management (3-0)
Analyzes gender diversity in public and private institutions.
5358 Administrative Ethics and Responsibility (3-0)
The course deals with ethical issues that face public administrators--responsibilities,
accountability, discretion, the public interest, professionalism, codes of ethics, and
corruption. It focuses on applied ethics and the reasoning process administrators can use
to analyze and evaluate ethical dilemmas.
5359 Seminar in Regional and Urban Planning (3-0)
Covers planning topics associated with satisfying area-wide service needs in urban and
regional environments. Topics may include land-use regulations, capital facilities siting,
and transportation planning.
5360 Seminar in Urban Administration (3-0)
Public Administration at the level of service delivery with emphasis upon the management
and policy problems facing local agencies.
5361 Seminar in Political Economy (3-0)
Teaches how political and economic theory, tools, and techniques can be used to analyze
public policy issues and problems. Substantive topics may vary with instructor.
5362 Seminar in Public Sector Accounting (3-0)
Examination of the public sector and non-profit accounting process including the
preparation of annual financial reports, transaction analysis, auditing, and cost analysis for
grants and service efforts.
5363 Seminar in Intergovernmental Relations (3-0)
Covers the interrelationships among international, national, state, and/or local
governmental institutions in the policy making, executive, and/or administrative
processes. The special issue of states and communities situated on international borders
is also discussed.
5364 Seminar in Public Policy Analysis (3-0)
The study of the politics of the policy making process. Emphasis is on the actors
involved in public policy-making, their interactions, and the outputs of the policy process.
5365 Seminar in Policy and Decision Making (3-0)
The use of quantitative decision tools and formal modeling in legislative, executive, and
judicial policy making and evaluation processes.
5366 Internship in Public Administration (0-0-20)
Practical internship experience with a public or nonprofit sector agency, selected in
consultation with the MPA program advisor. The experience consists of at least twenty
hours of work per week with the selected agency. The internship will be under close
supervision by the agency and the MPA program advisor.
5367 Comprehensive Integration of Public Administration (3-0)
The course is designed to prepare the student for the final comprehensive examination in
public administration. Key management concepts, issues, and value concerns in the
subject areas of public administration are reviewed and integrated. This course is taken in
the student's final semester in the MPA program.
General
5300 Seminar in Research Methods in Political Science (3-0)
Basic introduction to quantitative and methodological techniques in the field for students
in both the MA and MPA programs. Required of all graduate Political Science majors.
The seminar usually is taken during the first semester of graduate study. (MPA students
may substitute
ECON 5301 or
QMB 5311 with the permission of the MPA advisor).
5380 Selected Problems in Government (3-0)
Independent study, research, and writing on a topic agreed upon by student and
professor.
5398 Thesis (0-0-3)
As part of this course, the student will successfully prepare and defend a prospectus for
the MA thesis. The prospectus must be approved by the student's thesis committee, and
failure to meet this requirement within two long semesters will preclude continuation of
the student in the MA program. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
5399 Thesis (0-0-3)
Continuous enrollment required while work on the thesis continues. Prerequisites:
POLS 5398 and instructor approval.
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