Politics and Policy

Chair: Jean Schroedel
(909) 621-8171
spe@cgu.edu
www.cgu.edu/spe

Academic Program

The programs in politics and policy weave together broad theoretical concerns about politics and political values with more focused questions of applied policy analysis. The purpose is to prepare students for a variety of careers in university teaching, nonprofit organizations, government, consulting, and business. A significant number of students direct their studies and careers toward participation in the international arena.

In the master’s degree programs—international studies; international political economy; politics; public policy; and politics, economics, and business—students concentrate on one primary area of study. In the Ph.D. degree program, students are expected to become proficient in two areas of study. The areas most frequently chosen for study are American politics, comparative politics, political philosophy, public policy, and world politics. In addition to these areas, students may develop individualized programs of study tailored to their special interests and career objectives. The personalized style of work at Claremont Graduate University enables students in the programs to complement their studies with work in history, economics, psychology, and related fields.

Among the distinctive features of the program are its emphasis on the connection between values and practice; policy internships; policy research clinics; and various research projects in which faculty join with students to examine a wide range of domestic and international policy issues. Additionally, the department is housed together with the Department of Economics in the School of Politics and Economics, allowing for interdisciplinary study in the fields of political economy, policy, and comparative politics.

MASTER’S PROGRAMS

Master of Arts Degree Programs

The Department of Politics and Policy offers six master’s degree programs. Each is designed to provide a blend of applied and analytical skills appropriate to their respective discipline. Students study toward immediate career goals, or further advanced academic work.

Master of Arts in International Studies (36 units + research paper or 48 units without a paper)
Master of Arts in Politics (36 units + research paper or 48 units without a paper)
- American Politics (concentration of the degree)
  - Political Thought and Development (emphasis of the concentration)
  - National Institution (emphasis of the concentration)
  - Individual and Collective Behavior (emphasis of the concentration)
- Political Philosophy (concentration of the degree)
Master of Arts in Public Policy (48 units)
Master of Arts in Public Policy and Evaluation (48 units)
Master of Arts in International Political Economy (48 units)
- Possible concentrations include: international trade, economic growth, money and finance, regional integration, international regimes and negotiations, globalization, foreign investment, and the economic determinants of regime changes, or regions of the world, such as Latin America, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, Africa, or Europe
Master of Arts in Politics, Economics, and Business (48 units)

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Core Master’s Degree Requirements

PP 481 Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)

Plus choice of one of the following or an approved substitute (4 units):

PP 482 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (recommended)

PP 483 Legal Research Methods

Master’s Research Paper. All M.A. students enrolled in a 36-unit degree program must complete a master’s research paper demonstrating effective writing ability and substantial research skills. The paper is in addition to the 36 units required, though it is our expectation that this paper will have grown from the student’s ongoing interests and previous coursework. Note: this is not a thesis.

JOINTLY OFFERED PROGRAMS

Master of Arts in Politics, Economics, and Business (M.A.P.E.B)

The School of Politics and Policy jointly offers this program with the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management. Refer to the section titled “Jointly Offered Programs” in the Bulletin for program details.

Master of Arts in Public Policy and Evaluation (M.A.P.P.E.)

SPECIAL PROGRAMS: B.A./M.A. Program

Undergraduates enrolled in The Claremont Colleges who are interested in pursuing a career in government, politics, policy, economics, consulting, advocacy, or the non-profit sector should consider enrolling in the Accelerated B.A./M.A. Programs in the Department of Politics and Policy. The joint program is open to qualified juniors and seniors at The Claremont Colleges. Students have the option of enrolling in classes in the Department of Politics and Policy during thier junior or senior years, at no additional cost. Some of the advanced courses offered at the undergraduate institutions may, with approval, be counted for graduate credit. Courses completed at CGU, or accepted as equivalents, may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs (12 -16 units.) In this way, Claremont Colleges’ undergraduates get an advanced start on completing their graduate requirements. Normally, students who receive their B.A. having completed the necessary graduate or equivalent units may be able to complete their master’s degree program with only two additional semesters of enrollment at CGU.