Greg Russell, Chair
Aimee L. Franklin, Director of Graduate Programs
205 Dale Hall Tower
Norman, OK 73019-2003
Phone: (405) 325-2061
FAX: (405) 325-0718
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/cas/psc/
Professors Boren, Copeland, Gaddie, Hertzke, Maletz, Perkins, Peters, Raadschelders; Associate Professors R. H. Cox, Franklin, Givel, S. Grillot, T. James, Kenney, Krutz, D. Ray, L. Rosenthal, G. Russell, Smith, Szymanski; Assistant Professors Ellis, Goode, Heinze, Hicklin, Lamothe, Lee, Ono, Wert.
The Department of Political Science is the academic home for faculty, staff members, undergraduate students, and graduate students who share a love of politics and a devotion to learning. The department offers two undergraduate degrees, one in political science and the other in public affairs and administration. Master’s degrees in both political science and public administration, in addition to the doctorate in political science are also offered.
The Department of Political Science is among the most intellectually eclectic at the University of Oklahoma. Faculty and students pursue research and study in topics as varied as American politics, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, public administration, and political theory. There are no intellectual or methodological orthodoxies. A diverse faculty and group of students pursue a multiplicity of paths to knowledge.
Affiliated with the department are the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, the OU POLL (Public Opinion Learning Laboratory), the Institute for Public Affairs, the International Programs Center, the School of International and Area Studies, the Religious Studies Program, and Advanced Programs through the College of Continuing Education.
The Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center brings together scholars, students, and citizens to nurture the values of a representative democracy. In cooperation with the Department of Political Science, the Center sponsors a nationally competitive five-year specialized Ph.D. program. The program offers graduate students a dual perspective on the workings of Congress by affording them opportunities to study the institution both on-campus and in Washington, D.C. as a congressional staff member. The undergraduate research program of the Carl Albert Center provides unique opportunities for a select group of undergraduate students to work with faculty in collaborative research. The Center also oversees Capitol and Community Scholars, a program that provides undergraduate students with service learning opportunities working with state government, community organizations, and the Close Up Foundation. The Carl Albert Center Congressional Archives contains the papers of more than 50 former members of Congress. These historical documents, manuscripts, audio/video tapes, and photographs are a valuable resource for primary research and have been utilized by political scientists and historians from across the country. In seeking to foster a wider understanding and appreciation of Congress through civic education programs, the Carl Albert Center sponsors the biennial Julian J. Rothbaum Distinguished Lecture in Representative Government, which is among the most distinguished lecture series of its kind and has resulted in a book series published by The University of Oklahoma Press. The Center also created a series of traveling exhibits on Congress that toured the state and were subsequently reproduced as poster sets for public schools and libraries. Twice each year the Center publishes a journal, Extensions, as a forum for discussion of representative government. As a participating partner in the National Education for Women’s Leadership Development Network, the Center sponsors an annual five-day N.E.W. Leadership institute to educate, empower, and inspire a select number of undergraduate women throughout the state of Oklahoma for active participation in politics and public service. The Center’s Web site is http://www.ou.edu/special/albertctr/.
Over 50 years ago the faculty in the Department of Political Science created an innovative program for non-traditional graduate students in public administration. Public administration continues to offer courses in this unique “intensified format” and, in Oklahoma, the Master of Public Administration program can be completed at either the Norman campus, the Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education, or OU-Tulsa. In addition, the program is offered at military installations in Asia/Pacific, Oklahoma, Washington, D.C., and several other U.S. sites. The intensified format, in which classes are taught on two or three successive weekends or in one-week evening seminars, is especially useful for students who are fully employed and have difficulty leaving the workplace to attend a graduate program. Students admitted to the Master of Public Administration program can complete the degree with on-campus courses, weekend courses, or a combination of both. Additional information can be obtained by writing to Programs in Public Administration, Department of Political Science, 455 W. Lindsey St., Room 305, Norman, OK 73019-2003.
The University of Oklahoma Public Opinion Learning Laboratory (OU POLL), a state-of-the-art survey research center, was created by President David L. Boren in 1999. The OU POLL specializes in public opinion research through telephone and mail surveys as well as focus groups and it conducts surveys for various government, non-profit, academic, and private organizations. The Poll also provides support for student learning and academic research. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the OU POLL Director at 640 Parrington Oval, Room 301, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, or by calling (405) 325-7655.
The Institute for Public Affairs, established in 1995, conducts applied research on public policy issues affecting Oklahoma. The Institute provides policy research and technical assistance, training and leadership development, and civic education for public sector and non-profit audiences. The Institute draws on the diverse backgrounds, interests, and expertise represented among the faculty throughout the University. Faculty associated with the Institute work in the areas of policy analysis and policy formulation, program design, program evaluation, and design and assessment of operating systems such as budgeting and personnel. For more information, contact Dr. Thomas E. James, Director, 455 West Lindsey, Room 304, Norman, OK 73019-2002.
Undergraduate and graduate students who qualify are invited to join Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honorary society. Other student organizations of interest to department majors are: College Republicans, Model United Nations, Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, OU Pre-Law Club, Student Association for Public Administration, and Young Democrats.
The Department of Political Science offers several scholarships and awards to both undergraduate and graduate students who qualify. The Benson Undergraduate Paper Award for the most outstanding undergraduate research paper confers a cash award to the recipient. The Joseph Crim Pray Award for the best paper written for a 2000-level “gateway” course in political science also confers a cash award. The John W. Wood Award confers a cash award for the best graduate or undergraduate paper, thesis, or dissertation in American political theory, political leadership, or the presidency. The June and Oliver Benson Memorial Scholarship, the Kelly Sullivan Memorial Scholarship, and the John Halvor Leek Memorial Scholarships are merit scholarships for political science and public administration majors at the junior level. The Allan Saxe Award is a scholarship based on both merit and need for political science and public administration majors at the junior level. The Chris A. deJong Award is for political science majors with a “demonstrated extraordinary love of learning.”
Graduate students can be considered for the John Halvor Leek Memorial Scholarships. Students in the Master of Public Administration program are eligible for the Walter F. Scheffer Scholarship. Doctoral students’ writing and research can be nominated for the V.Stanley Vardys, David R. Morgan and George B. Williams awards, which confer cash awards. The Ronald M. Peters Jr. award recognizes outstanding graduate teaching assistants. The Hugh MacNiven Award is given for the most outstanding research paper written by a student in the MPA program and confers a cash award. Graduate students can also apply for graduate assistantships in the department; these are primarily teaching assistantships.
The Carl Albert Center funds fellowships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who are at least sophomores can apply for the undergraduate fellowships which offer students the opportunity to conduct collaborative research in politics and government with faculty members. The graduate fellowships are nationally competitive.
The Cortez A. M. Ewing Public Service Fellowships are 10-week Washington internships funded by the Ewing Foundation. Students receive travel and living expenses. Awards are made after a competition open to students from all fields and majors.
The College of Arts and Sciences awards Robert Dean Bass Memorial Scholarships to students in political science and economics who plan on careers in government. The College also awards the A.R. “Bert” Larason Public Service Scholarships to students in political science, social work, and journalism who plan on careers in public service.
The political science major requires 36 hours of major credit, excluding Political Science 1113, which is the prerequisite for all other courses in political science and may not be counted as major work. At least 15 hours must be in upper-division work.
All students must complete four 2000-level “gateway” courses and a capstone seminar. The four 2000-level courses must be completed prior to enrollment in the capstone seminar. A grade of C or better must be obtained in the capstone course.
Choosing the right courses and combination of courses is very important. The student should consult with the department’s academic counselor as well as faculty members. Recommended free electives include courses in history and economics and any courses that stress proficiency in writing (English and foreign languages) and rigorous thinking (philosophy). Also recommended are courses in mathematics and statistics that will prepare students for advanced research techniques and data analysis. Ideally, a tentative program of coursework should be formulated at the beginning of the sophomore year in consultation with an adviser, with constant evaluation and re-evaluation of the program in subsequent semesters.
The public affairs and administration major is an interdisciplinary program administered by the Department of Political Science. It is an ideal choice for those students interested in public service — both in the policy and the administrative arenas. All students must complete P SC 2013, 2173, 2223; 18 hours in approved political science courses in public administration and public policy; three hours in American political institutions; and the capstone seminar. In addition, they must complete six hours of upper-division coursework from economics, accounting, management, or statistics from a list of approved courses, for a total of 39 hours. A minimum of 15 upper-division hours must be completed. Students must also complete Economics 1113 and 1123 as prerequisite coursework. These courses will not apply toward the 39 hours of major credit.
Students planning to be public administrators are encouraged to enroll in elective credit in history, sociology, communication, economics, foreign languages, computer science, and geography.
The study of political science and public administration is an excellent foundation for careers in law and law enforcement; government service at the national, state, and local levels, from federal agencies to city managers; politics, such as campaign management or lobbying or elective office; professional research for a “think tank;” labor relations; political journalism; teaching at the secondary and university levels; the diplomatic corps; management in the public and nonprofit sectors, in such areas as health care management and human resource management; consulting; international business; urban planning and development; business management; and policy analysis.
Students majoring in other subjects may minor in political science or public affairs and administration. The requirements for the minor in political science are at least 15 hours of political science, excluding Political Science 1113; at least nine hours of which must be upper-division work. The department’s academic counselor is available to students needing help in choosing appropriate courses.
Students may also minor in public affairs and administration. The requirements are at least 15 hours of upper-division political science chosen from a list of approved courses. Two upper-division courses in economics, Economics 3713, Governmental Relations to Business, and Economics 4353, Public Finance, may also apply toward the minor. Professor Glen Krutz can assist students in the selection of courses that best serve their academic or career interests.
American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public administration, and public policy.
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the Graduate College, the student electing to work for degrees in political science should have, at a minimum, 15 undergraduate hours of political science and nine undergraduate hours of other social sciences, or 24 hours in political science. Those who do not meet this criterion are still eligible for admission but may be required to take additional hours in order to be prepared for work at the graduate level. Exact prerequisites will be determined after consultation with an adviser and assessment of the student’s preparation for graduate study.
For admission to the M.A. and Ph.D. programs, the department requires submission of three letters of recommendation, the scores of the general test of the Graduate Record Examination, a writing sample, and a statement of approximately 1,000 words describing the applicant’s academic purpose, background and goals. A TOEFL score of 250 on the computer-based test or 600 on the paper-based test or more is required of all applicants for whom English is a second language. The admissions application, application fee, official transcripts, and if applicable, official TOEFL scores should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions, 1000 Asp Avenue, Room 127, Norman OK 73019-4076.
In addition to the general admission requirements of the Graduate College, an applicant to the M.P.A. program must present a minimum of 15 undergraduate or graduate hours of credit in public administration, political science, management, or a related social science discipline. If an applicant lacks such hours, he or she may be required to take additional prerequisite coursework. Administrative or management experience may be used to satisfy or help offset the requirements for prerequisite courses. A TOEFL score of 600 or more is required of all applicants for whom English is a second language. For more complete information on programs in public administration and on admission requirements, write to: Programs in Public Administration, Department of Political Science, University of Oklahoma, 455 W. Lindsey St., Room 305, Norman, OK 73019-2001.
Complete admission requirements and a full description of the departmental programs and procedures can be obtained by writing to the Graduate Program Director, Department of Political Science, the University of Oklahoma, 455 West Lindsey St., Room 205, Norman, OK 73019-2001, or on the graduate program Web site, www.ou.edu/cas/psc/graduate/.
Applications for admission to the M.A. and Ph.D. will be considered only three times each year, in March for summer and fall semester, in June for the fall semester, and in October for the spring term. Applications for the M.P.A. are considered on a continuous admissions process.
The M.A. degree in political science provides excellent preparation for doctoral work for those in public non-profit, or private careers who find further professional development necessary. Advanced work in political science may also serve as enrichment for those who would simply like to know more about the workings of government and politics. The degree program provides a basic minimum of structure to ensure that participants will obtain the necessary groundwork in political science. Beyond the basic requirements, there is an opportunity for significant specialization in the fields of most interest to the student. The M.A. is a 36 credit hour degree and may be taken with a thesis or research paper. The nonthesis option requires a final research paper. If desired, the M.A. program may be designed to encompass coursework taken in related departments or programs. All candidates for the degree must take P SC 5913, Introduction to Analysis of Political and Administrative Data, or an equivalent course.
The M.P.A. degree is designed to provide the student with an understanding and knowledge of government and its environment. As a professional program, emphasis is placed upon learning those administrative concepts, processes, and techniques that are associated with managing the public’s business. The academic base for the M.P.A. consists of required courses which include research methods, evaluation, and budgeting and area requirements in management, public policy, organizations, and American political process. The program integrates the theoretical with the practical dimensions of administration and encourages a broad academic and professional perspective. M.P.A. graduates typically enter the public or not-for- profit sectors, although many graduates have used the expertise gained in the program to enter and/or enhance careers in business and corporate enterprises. The M.P.A. program is a non-thesis program requiring 36 credit hours, a comprehensive examination, and a research paper.
A minimum of 24 credit hours must be offered in the public administration/ public policy area. The remaining credits may be taken in additional public administration core or courses chosen from such related disciplines as accounting, business, economics, finance, geography, human relations, management, urban planning and sociology. Before taking credits other than those specifically listed as acceptable for the M.P.A. degree, students must contact Programs in Public Administration to determine the applicability of the credit to the degree.
In addition to providing a basic foundation in public administration, the MPA program allows concentrations. By choosing elective courses and a research paper topic, students have the option of developing expertise in a specific subject. Their Web site address is www.ou.edu/cas/psc/pa/.
The Ph.D. degree in political science is a program of highly advanced study and scholarship. Primarily oriented toward developing the capacity for scholarly research and writing, the degree has nevertheless been found useful by those in private or public careers who would like to supplement their work with a program of personal intellectual development. A minimum of 90 semester hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree is required. Doctoral students must be prepared to take the General Examination within five years of entering the graduate program (four years if entering with a master’s degree). In addition to the required three fields of specialization, each doctoral student must fulfill a research tool requirement. A research tool may include proficiency in selected foreign languages or a proficiency in quantitative and qualitative methods. A doctoral candidate is expected to complete the degree requirements within four years after passing the General Examination. Students in the Ph.D. program must meet certain requirements in developing research tools and in familiarizing themselves with the broad spectrum of the discipline. Beyond this minimum of required courses, however, a detailed program will be developed by the student and the doctoral advisory committee in order to pursue the student’s major interests, and to lay the groundwork for a doctoral dissertation.
Opportunities for research and funding are provided by programs affiliated with the department, including the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, the Institute for Public Affairs, the International Programs Center, the OU POLL, and the School of International and Area Studies.