Graduate Catalog
2023-2024
 
Policies, Procedures, Academic Programs
Foundations of Political Analysis
PPAC
Address:
Political Science (0130) Major Williams Hall Room 515 220 Stanger Street
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Contact this Certificate
Email Contact(s):
Web Resource(s):
• Website
Phone Number(s):
• General Contact:
540/231-6572
• Graduate Program Director:
540/231-8843

Certificate Overview

This graduate certificate program is designed for non-degree-seeking students and graduate students at Virginia Tech who wish to demonstrate special competence in the foundations of political analysis. The ability to evaluate contemporary politics requires a solid understanding of how thinkers in the past addressed the politics of their times and places. In addition to canonical Western sequences, students will engage with work in Latin American-New World and Eastern traditions, as well as postcolonial and decolonial thought, democratic theory and American and Continental strands of critical theory. This certificate responds to an existing demand by degree-seeking and non-degree students, studying on campus or online. It will recognize courses that students successfully complete as they focus on developing a foundation in political analysis in political science.

How to Apply:
Fill out the online application for participation in the certificate program.
Upon processing of the application, you will be contacted
with information about the submission of additional
required materials. Thank you for your interest.

Admission Requirements

Applications for the Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Political Analysis will be considered from students enrolled in a graduate degree program at Virginia Tech and from non-degree and Commonwealth Campus students who have been permitted to take courses by the Graduate School. Certificates will be awarded upon application for the certificate and application for certificate conferral once course requirements have been completed.

Course Requirements

The certificate requires successful completion of a total of 12 credit hours, of which 9 credits are required courses and 3 are elective. Students need to receive a grade of B or better in each course to receive the certificate. Students will not be allowed to retake a course for a better grade if they receive below a B. All course are for 3 credit hours. All students must complete:

* 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:

  • PSCI 5344 - Political Behavior
  • PSCI 5504 - Discourse Analysis