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Program in Political Science
Graduate School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
 Detailed InformationProgram of StudyThe Department of Political Science at Villanova University offers two graduate programs: the Master of Arts (M.A.) in political science and the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.).
The M.A. program features courses on American government, comparative government, international relations, and political theory. A degree requires ten courses and a capstone oral exam that involves the defense of the student’s portfolio or eight courses and a 6-credit thesis. All students pursuing the M.A. must complete PSC 7000 and one course from each of the three concentrations: American government, international relations, and political philosophy.
The M.P.A. is a 36- to 39-credit program, designed to prepare students for management careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. Required courses provide students with knowledge of public administration theory and history, statistical analysis and research methods, organization theory and design, and how to manage financial and human resources in order to be successful in their careers. Elective courses include 3-credit and 1-credit courses. The M.P.A. program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
Both graduate programs also offer graduate certificates (five courses or 15 credits are required) for students not seeking a master’s degree or for those looking for a specialization within their degree. Both graduate degree programs admit part-time students. Class size ranges from 4 to 20 students, with the average around 12. Courses meet for 2 hours once per week in the evening. Research FacilitiesThe Falvey Memorial Library provides resources and facilities for study and research by students and faculty members, with a book capacity of more than half a million volumes. The Office of University Information Technologies (UNIT) provides data and voice communication, computing services, and access to remote computing and information services over the Internet. Student computer laboratories throughout campus are open 24 hours a day. Financial AidFinancial support (tuition remission and/or stipends) is available through the political science department in the form of graduate assistantships and tuition scholarships. Loan programs and need-based financial aid are available through the Office of Financial Assistance, Kennedy Hall, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085; telephone: 610-519-4010. Cost of StudyGraduate tuition is $630 per credit hour in 2009–10. In addition, there is a University fee of $60 each semester. Living and Housing CostsVarious affordable housing possibilities are available near the Villanova University campus or are easily accessible by public transportation. Housing costs vary in accordance with the option chosen. Room and board for a single graduate student may average about $8000 for a twelve-month period. Villanova University does not provide on-campus housing for graduate students. Student GroupStudents in the M.A. and M.P.A. programs combine a variety of academic backgrounds, professional interests, and personal aims. The M.A. program enrolls 40 to 50 students per year, and the M.P.A. program enrolls 50 to 60 students per year. The ratio of men to women is 1:1. About 20 percent of the students in both programs are international. The majority of students in both programs are part-time. Student OutcomesRecent graduates of both programs have been admitted to doctoral programs at schools such as Cornell, Penn, Emory, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Maryland, Michigan, NYU, and Penn State. Others attend law schools, such as Georgetown, George Washington, Seton Hall, and Villanova. Graduates also pursue public service careers in the national, state, and local governments and with nonprofit organizations. LocationVillanova University provides a tranquil setting for study and reflection. Situated on the historic Main Line, a western suburb of Philadelphia, Villanova is located on Lancaster Avenue (Route 30), 2 minutes from the Blue Route (Route 476) and 5 minutes from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Schuylkill Expressway, and Route 202. Philadelphia’s revitalized Center City is 25 minutes away by train, and historic Valley Forge and the Brandywine Valley are easily accessible by car. Villanova is within easy driving distance of several other premier institutions of higher learning, including Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges; Temple University; and the University of Pennsylvania. With ample parking and mass transit stops right on University grounds, the campus allows for easy travel by car, bus, or train. The UniversityVillanova University is an institute rich in history and tradition. For more than 150 years, Villanova has been directed by one of the oldest teaching orders of the Catholic Church, the Order of St. Augustine. From modest beginnings on a country estate of a Revolutionary War officer, the University has seen significant growth in its student population as well as its position as a leading coeducational institute of higher learning. ApplyingApplications for admission and financial aid are available from the Office of Graduate Studies. Applications should be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085. Completed applications include an application for admission, nonrefundable application fee of $50, official postsecondary academic transcripts, and GRE scores (General Test only). In addition, applicants should send three letters of recommendation and a two-page narrative explaining anticipated career objectives and reasons for seeking admission to the Director of Graduate Studies at the address listed below. No interviews are necessary. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must submit TOEFL scores. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Financial aid decisions are made by April 15. Only applicants seeking full-time admission are considered for financial aid. The Faculty and Their Research
- David Barrett, Ph.D., Notre Dame. National security policy, intelligence policy, foreign policy formation.
- Lara Brown, Ph.D., UCLA. Presidents, elections, political parties, congress.
- Kail C. Ellis, O.S.A., Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Ph.D., Catholic University. Comparative politics of Arab states.
- Lowell S. Gustafson, Associate Dean; Ph.D., Virginia. Latin American politics, international political economy, theories of international relations.
- John R. Johannes, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ph.D., Harvard. American government, congress.
- Christine Kelleher Palus, Ph.D., North Carolina at Chapel Hill. American politics, state and local government, urban politics, research methods.
- Matthew R. Kerbel, Ph.D., Michigan. Political communications, the presidency.
- Marcus L. Kreuzer, Ph.D., Columbia. Parties, comparative political economy, democratization, European politics.
- Robert W. Langran, Ph.D., Bryn Mawr. Constitutional development, constitutional law, civil rights and civil liberties, congress, government and business, women and politics.
- Robert A. Maranto, Ph.D., Minnesota. Public policy, public administration, American government.
- Colleen A. Sheehan, Ph.D., Claremont. American political theory.
- Thomas W. Smith, Associate Dean, Ph.D., Notre Dame. Ancient political theory, religion and politics.
- Joseph E. Thompson, Ph.D., Catholic University. International relations, American foreign policy, comparative politics, Ireland.
- A. Maria Toyoda, Chair, Ph.D., Georgetown. East Asia, comparative politics.
- Catherine E. Warrick, Ph.D., Georgetown. Comparative politics, Middle East, South Asia, gender and Islamic politics.
- Craig Wheeland, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ph.D., Penn State. Public administration, urban politics, intergovernmental management.
- Catherine Wilson, Ph.D., Pennsylvania. Public administration, nonprofit management, immigration, religion and politics.
Correspondence and InformationVillanova University Director of Graduate Studies (specify M.A. or M.P.A. or both) Department of Political Science Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085 Telephone:
610-519-4710 Fax:
610-519-7487
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