Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Political Science

Our post-baccalaureate certificate program in political science is ideally suited for:

  1. Texas high school teachers who have an MA in a field other than political science and want to teach political science in the dual credit classroom.
  2. Teachers who have an MA in a field other than political science and want to teach political science in the community college classroom.
  3. Individuals who are interested in graduate work in political science but aren’t ready to fully commit to a graduate program.

A prior MA is not required for admission. However, state law mandates that dual credit and community college teachers hold an MA in any field AND 18 hours in the subject they are teaching. Our certificate program meets the 18-hour requirement to teach. If you do not hold a master’s degree and are interested in teaching political science in either the community college or dual credit classroom, please visit our MA in Political Science program page.

Benefits

Choose your own courses

With only one required course, our certificate option allows you to design a program of coursework that meets your needs. Interested in politics?  International relations? Public affairs? Law? Or some other field? Our flexible curriculum allows you to build a personalized program from a wide range of graduate courses.

Only 18 hours to complete

If you already have a master’s degree (in any field), you are only 6 graduate courses away from being able to teach political science in the community college setting. Similarly, if you are a certified teacher with a master’s degree (in any field) you are only 6 graduate courses away from being qualified to teach political science in the dual credit classroom. Most students complete our free-standing graduate certificate program in 2 or 3 semesters

Convenient class times

Most of our courses meet once a week in the evenings, and many courses are available in hybrid or synchronous on-line formats. Our program is ideal for current teachers or other working professionals.

Dedicated faculty

As a student in our program, you will be paired with a faculty mentor who will be available to help and advise you throughout the program. Our faculty are committed to a conversational model of education that maximizes student success. 

Affordability and value

TWU has the fourth-lowest college costs among Texas public universities. Additionally, graduates of our free-standing certificate program are well-positioned to increase their income through dual credit and/or community college teaching.

A welcoming community

Diversity and collaboration are fundamental to our academic culture. Our department's faculty, staff and students have created an inclusive community dedicated to mutual support, respect and success. 

Certificate details

Earn your certificate in just eight easy steps

  1. Take our required introductory course “Research Methods in Political Science.” This course introduces students to the types of questions political scientists ask and the basic methods used to find answers.
  2. Take 1 course, of your choice, in Global and Comparative Politics. This could include courses on comparative politics or international relations.
  3. Take 1 course, of your choice, in Public Policy. This might be a course on American national defense policy or presidential policymaking.
  4. Take 1 course, of your choice, in Political Theory. Discover the power of ideas in a course devoted to political theory.
  5. Take 1 course, of your choice, in U.S. Politics, Law, and Government. This might be a course on constitutional law, the legislative process, or women in American politics.
  6. Take 1 elective Political Science course of your choice. You can choose any Political Science graduate course we offer to meet this requirement. You could take “Political Theory,” “Law, Gender, and Sexuality,” “Women as Citizens,” or many other courses.
  7. Submit a portfolio containing at least one research project from your coursework and a personal statement describing how you will tie your coursework into your career.
  8. Have a formal conversation, called a “defense,” about your portfolio with a faculty committee.

Certificate course requirements

Course rotation schedule

Admission requirements

Admission to the Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs in History & Political Science

Program Contact
Christina Bejarano, PhD
940-898-2785
cbejarano@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

No deadline, rolling admission

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.25 on last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work.
  • Collect and submit the following documents into the application:
    • writing sample (college paper in any subject OR a 3-5 page personal statement that describes your goals)
    • curriculum vita
    • Email addresses for three individuals familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application.

How to Apply

Begin by finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
    • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
      • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
    • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.

  2. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
    • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
    • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
    • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
    • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.

  3. Submit transcripts to TWU.
    • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
    • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU.  See the International Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.

Questions?

Contact Christina Bejarano, PhD, at cbejarano@twu.edu or 940-898-2785.

Page last updated 10:23 AM, September 6, 2023