Master of Arts in Political Science

at University of New Hampshire - Durham Campus USA

The modern workplace requires that employees be adaptable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted a long-term study that showed people held 11.7 jobs between the ages of 18 and 48, and those numbers are increasing with people moving between jobs more frequently every year. It is crucial that we prepare our students not just for one industry, but rather arm them with the transferable skills of critical reading, writing, analysis, production, theory and aesthetics of new forms in digital media and business. Students will leave this major option with the skills that are in the highest demand in all fields today. 

This major option addresses the growing demand for graduates who are well-versed in a combination of humanistic and digital skills and able to work in a variety of professional environments. In particular, graduates of this option will be prepared for careers at cultural and historical institutions, as well as in emerging job markets of information management and online content delivery. This specialization complements areas requirements for the English major but it is not limited to English majors. Double majors are encouraged. Small classes, a great sense of community and a diversity of faculty specializations create an atmosphere that propels students toward success. Students will receive real-life work experience through our internship class, and they will also leave this major with a digital portfolio that contains a collection of professional projects that can be used on the job market. 

The Sport Management and Leadership Major at UNH prepares students for successful careers in the sport industry. The SML major meets the needs of the ever-changing sport marketplace, by balancing academic preparation through related coursework with extensive opportunities to gain experience in the sport industry.  Analyzing and integrating the context/culture of sport is imbedded throughout our curriculum and grounds our students' preparation for careers in interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional sport, including sport marketing/event managment, coaching/administration, and sports media/communications.  SML also prepares students for graduate study in areas such as sport law, sport business or sport psychology. 

Biology is one of the most popular science majors since it provides a broad background in the biological sciences while allowing flexibility and specialization within the major. It integrates theoretical and practical (hands-on laboratory and field work) courses in different aspects of the biology of multicellular life. It encompasses the study of structural and functional relationships of living organisms at the molecular, cellular, and organismal level, the interactions of living systems with the environment and with each other, and the evolutionary relationships of life. Our goal is to create an environment for those with a scholarly interest in the biological sciences, and to extend their understanding, awareness, and appreciation of the diversity inherent in the biological sciences. Our major is aimed at promoting an excellent education in biological sciences by involving undergraduate students in a strong interaction with faculty both in the classroom and in research laboratories.

The biology major prepares students for post graduate degrees in the biological and medical fields, and for job opportunities in industry (environmental, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological) and governmental research, and secondary school teaching. Completion of the four-year undergraduate program plus a fifth-year internship will be necessary for biology teaching certification. Students who plan to enter medical, dental, or related professional schools are advised to confer with their faculty adviser to work the requirements for these programs into their academic majors.

Core courses in the biology major are from departments that contribute to the biological sciences community at UNH. The core curriculum consists of introductory and upper-level science courses plus seven additional courses in the biological sciences; three of these must be selected from course lists in three broad categories.

While students are advised to declare the biology major as incoming first-year students to assure adequate program planning, transfer into this major at a later stage is also possible. Several of the other biological science majors share the same biology core curriculum. For the first to two years, it is quite easy to change to or from these other majors.

The health and physical education (HPE) major provides a foundation for teaching through a four-year program (BS), or the UNH Department of Education fifth-year program leading to a masters of arts in teaching (MAT). Graduates become certified to teach kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) health and physical education in the state of New Hampshire. This licensure is transferable to all other states in the U.S. Extensive supervised practicum experiences that provide teaching skills, including adaptive physical education programming, offers an excellent foundation for preparing high-quality teachers. The combination of health with physical education and adaptive physical education makes graduates highly marketable.

Students in the Ecosystem Science option typically have a strong background in environmental science, earth science, ecology, or related fields. Areas of interest include the ecology, microbiology and biogeochemistry of soils, groundwaters, and surface waters, with an emphasis on how the different components of an ecosystem interact to produce system-level responses to management, global change, and other perturbations. Understanding controls on carbon storage, nutrient transformations, water quality, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions is central to much of the research conducted by students in this option.

The Italian studies program offers courses in Italian language, culture, literature, history and cinema, as well as courses on Italian American culture. Italian courses can also be used to fulfill Discovery Program requirements and the Bachelor of Arts foreign language proficiency requirement. The program provides opportunities both to achieve high competence in Italian language and culture and to apply these knowledge skills to other disciplines. The Italian studies program encourages independent and innovative thinking and research so that students may pursue and achieve individualized goals while they prepare for the challenges of thriving in the world community.

The justice studies Master of Arts degree program offers you a challenging and hands-on environment to prepare for your dream career advancing justice. You will develop in three areas: philosophical and theoretical understandings of justice, knowledge of the inner-workings and realities of laws and justice systems, and skills related to the implementation of justice. Pursuing a master’s in justice studies allows you to delve deeply into law, crime, courts, corrections, policing, drugs, terrorism, homeland security, immigration, forensics, sexual violence, juvenile justice and more. Boost your earning potential and be more employable when you transition into the workforce.

Engineering technology requires the application of engineering and scientific knowledge and methods combined with technical skills in support of engineering activities. Graduates may work in a variety of areas including engineering design, manufacturing, field service, testing, and sales and may work in management positions related to engineering, manufacturing, and computer technology.

Anthropology asks the question: What does it mean to be human? We answer this fundamental query with a global perspective on the human condition as students explore both the similarity and diversity of human experience. Through courses that cover a wide range of societies throughout the world, we investigate the human condition, past and present. Introductory courses provide an overview of the fields of anthropology: social and cultural anthropology, archeology, physical anthropology and linguistics. More advanced courses provide the opportunity for students to pursue intensive study of particular topics in cross-cultural perspective. The department emphasizes critical thinking and writing skills and encourages close faculty/student contact in seminar courses and at the upper level. Students, in consultation with their academic adviser, have the opportunity to take courses in other departments that complement specific foci in anthropology.

At this time of increasing globalization, anthropology provides students with a broad overview of diverse peoples and cultures. Majors are therefore well prepared to live in a rapidly changing world. The major both prepares students for graduate-level studies and serves as a foundation for a wide range of careers. With backgrounds in anthropology, our students become teachers, social workers, public policy experts, forensic investigators, health practitioners, primatologists, international business executives, and community and economic development specialists, as well as pursuing various other careers.

The Master of Science degree in pure mathematics is an opportunity to advance and solidify an understanding of the mathematical sciences. Study at the master’s level allows the student to focus exclusively on mathematics. Such study can be a point of entry for a career in industry or can lead to doctoral study. Many alumni of the program are currently employed as teachers at local community colleges, while some go on to careers in industry.