Earn a Master of Political Science in International Relations or Professional Politics

Master of Science in Political Science (MSPS)

Work for what you believe by earning a master’s degree in political science from Suffolk. Whether your interests lie in domestic politics or international relations, the MSPS program prepares you for positions of responsibility and influence – in just one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.

All required courses are offered in the evening and are held at our convenient downtown Boston campus. You can switch freely between part-time and full-time admission as your needs change.

Students in the MSPS choose one of two tracks –  International Relations or Professional Politics.

International Relations

Make a difference on a global basis. Core courses develop your knowledge of international relations theory, the interplay of international economics and politics, as well as valuable research methods. Building on this base, you may then concentrate on unique challenges faced in specific regions, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, or East Asia.

A special focus in Caribbean Politics combines the resources of Suffolk and the University of the West Indies-St. Augustine, Trinidad.

Our International Relations program will prepare you for careers in:
• Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
• Research institutes
• Special interest groups
• International organizations
• Human rights groups
• Public and private development aid organizations
• Corporate research and government affairs offices
• International trade firms
• Labor unions with cross-border interests
• Diplomatic service

Professional Politics

Do you love politics? Make it your career. MSPS alumni are working today as campaign managers, lobbyists, legislative aides, and interest group staff. Activism is great; paid activism is better. In our Professional Politics program:
• You will gain an intensive, hands-on education in essential political skills like fundraising, poll-taking, and campaign management.
• You will learn what political science has discovered about why people vote as they do, why interest groups succeed or die, and how to influence Congress and state legislatures.
• You will have the option of a political internship in a campaign, legislative office, lobbying firm, or consulting firm, to learn about the real world of politics and show your skills to potential employers.
• Our program combines a solid theoretical understanding of political science with hands-on study of practical applications to help you jump-start your political career.

For more information

For a program brochure and answers to your questions, contact the program director, Professor Teri Fair: grad.government@suffolk.edu. Financial aid is available for full- or part-time students in either program.