Skip to main content
    Back to Programs
    University of South Carolina-Columbia

    Political Science - MA

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Columbia, USMAIn-person
    $46,238.00
    Tuition
    36
    Credits
    $50.00
    App fee

    Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia is a 36-credit, in-person MA program based in Columbia, US. Tuition is $46,238.

    About the program

    The program requires 30-36 hours of coursework in political science subfields, with options for a thesis track (24 hours coursework plus 6 thesis credits) or non-thesis track (36 hours coursework). Competency in one foreign language or political research methodology is required, including two graduate statistics courses.

    Focus: both
    ShanghaiRanking (Academic Ranking of World Universities): 40th for Political Science (as stated on USC Department of Political Science page) | US News Best Graduate Schools: #62 (tie) in Political Science (as shown on US News program page)
    Part-time option

    Your fit

    Match

    Pro users see a 0 to 100 match score personalized to their academic profile, plus a per-component breakdown (major, GPA, tests, work experience, and more).

    Admissions

    Pro

    Unlock full admissions requirements

    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    Deadlines

    Pro

    Exact application deadlines for each term (Fall, Spring, Summer, Rolling), with priority and final dates where the program distinguishes them.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    Standardized tests

    Pro

    Which tests are required, optional, or waived (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo), minimum scores including separate verbal / quant sections, and program codes for score reporting.

    Sign up for 7-day free trial

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US)

    $18,000.00
    Annual living cost

    Application Checklist

    Sign in to track what you need to submit for this program.

    Sign in
    See admits on GradCafe
    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia is $46,238 across 36 required credits.
    Is Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia online or in-person?
    Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia is offered in-person.
    How long does Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia take to complete?
    Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia is structured around 36 credits.
    What work-permit options follow Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
    Post-completion work rights for Political Science - MA at University of South Carolina-Columbia: 12 months OPT (US)