Foundations of Political Analysis (Graduate Certificate)
Campuses: Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus
Virginia Tech Online (Virtual)
Instructions: Residential/On Campus
Online Courses for Virtual Option
This certificate prepares you to conduct high-quality research with a solid understanding of contemporary political theory. The program requires 12 hours of graduate-level courses from an approved list.
12 Credits Hours
24
Average upper-level class size
30 Faculty Members
100% faculty commitment
This certificate prepares you to conduct high-quality research with a solid understanding of contemporary political theory. The program requires 12 hours of graduate-level courses from an approved list.
Who Is Eligible?
Students pursuing graduate degrees at Virginia Tech who wish to demonstrate a competency in the foundations of political analysis without undertaking an entire degree can add this certificate to their transcript. Commonwealth Campus students who have been permitted to take courses by the Graduate School are also eligible. Non-degree seeking students can pursue this certificate to develop a professional competency relevant to their chosen careers. Both degree and non-degree seeking students complete this certificate by studying on campus or through on-line courses.
What Will I Study?
Requirements: Completion of a total of twelve credit hours; 9 credits in required courses and 3 elective hours. Receive a grade of B or better in each course. (Note: Students will not be allowed to retake a course for a better grade if they receive below a B.)
Required courses:
PSCI 5214 - Contemporary Political Theory
PSCI 5115 - Research Methods I
PSCI 5116 - Research Methods II
In addition, students must complete at least 3 credit hours of Political Science graduate course offerings from such courses as:
PSCI 5344 - Political Behavior
PSCI 5504 - Discourse Analysis
Related Programs
Students interested in applying to the Foundations of Political Analysis (Graduate Certificate) should contact the program director, Scott Nelson, by email at scnelson@vt.edu or by phone at 540-231-5629.
Visit our office at 519 major Williams Hall, 220 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061
*Deadlines for non-degree students
Domestic Application
Spring: January 1
Summer I: May 1
Summer II: June 1
Fall: August 1
International Application
Spring: September 1
Summer I: January 1
Summer II: February 1
Fall: April 1
CONTACT US
Scott Nelson
Director of Graduate Studies
519 Major Williams Hall
540-231-5629
scnelson@vt.edu
Karen Nicholson
Graduate Programs Coordinator
531 Major Williams Hall
540-231-6572
karenn@vt.edu
Department of Political Science
531 Major Williams Hall (0130)
220 Stanger Street
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-6571