Programme description for Master's Programme in Political Science and Management (2021–2023)

After the successful completion of the programme the graduate should have proficiency in the following:

Knowledge :

• thorough knowledge of political structures and processes
• through knowledge of organizational and managerial structures and processes
• thorough knowledge of social sciences¿ research methodology

Skills:

• to exercise effective leadership and other highly qualified tasks in public, voluntaryand other organizations
• to work independently and with professional expertise when solving problems
• to plan, manage and implement reform measures in organizations
• to use social sciences¿ research methods in the analysis of empirical data

General competences:

• to carry out independent analysis of societal structures and processes, including in public, voluntary and other organizations
• to acquire new knowledge, and conduct research and development work in thefield of his/her Masters training

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent three-year degree (180 ECTS) with a minimum of 80 ECTS specialisation (major) in social sciences, law or business administration. At least 20 of the 80 ECTS in the majoring field must be in advanced level modules and 7,5 ECTS in social sciences research methodology.

For further information, please consult the admission requirements for masters programmes at the University of Agder.

This Master of Political Science and Management is a two-year programme with a social sciences profile. It aims to equip students with a thorough knowledge of political and organizational processes, develop their abilities for independent inquiry and foster their skills in social sciences research methods for the analysis of empirical data.

Upon completion of the Masters Programme in Political Science and Management, graduates will have good qualifications to lead, plan, manage and implement projects in public, private or voluntary sector organizations. This masters programme also qualifies for admission to doctoral training programmes both in Norway and abroad.

The Master in Political Science and Management is relevant both for Bachelor graduates wanting to progress directly to postgraduate studies, and experienced practitioners wishing to strengthen their formal and actual competences.

The programme is made up of the following three elements, to total 120 ECTS:
Four compulsory modules (40 ECTS)
Four electives (40 ECTS)
Master's thesis (40 ECTS).

Compulsory modules:
ST-423 Research Design and Advanced Methods for the Social Sciences
ST-400 Political Systems and Governance
ORG-425 Organization Theoretical Topics
ME-400 Research Methodology and Statistics

The Master in Political Science and Management offers two specializations:
1) Organization and Management
2) European Integration

To have a specialization formally recognized on the Masters diploma requires 30 ECTS from one of the two specializations.

To maintain the broadest possible academic curriculum, some of the electives will only be offered every other year.

The master's program in Political Science and management is an full-time study Programme.

The teaching methods vary between lectures, student presentations, project work in groups and written assignments. The ability to work independently are emphasized.

The university encourages all students to take one exchange stay abroad during their studies. Students may apply to go on student exchange as an alternative elective, preferably during the third semester of the programme.

For further information, see the International Office's website for exchange opportunities in the Master's Programme in Political Science and Management, or contact the study coordinator.

The program has an international orientation where several courses are offered in English and where academic focus is on supranational and European politics, transnational multilevel governance and global governance. Several of the department's academic staff has an international profile and background, and guest lecturers are used extensively. In addition curriculum literature is available in both Norwegian and English, and the master students can also choose to be supervised and write assignments in both languages.

We encourage all students to exchange abroad during their studies.

Exchanges are preferably arranged in the third semester. Students can also apply to take a double degree at the University of Konstanz (limited admission). Students who wish to take a double master's degree in Political Science and Management at the University of Konstanz can apply for an exchange with Konstanz for two semesters. Application deadline 15 February. Please be aware that knowledge of research methods will be an advantage for this double-degree exchange.

It is preferable to arrange for an exchange in the third semester. Students can also apply for a double Masters degree at the University of Konstanz. Students wishing for this double degree option in Konstanz must apply for a two-semester exchange to Konstanz. The application deadline for this is 15 February. For further information about exchange opportunities, visit the International Department's website for the Master's program in Political Science and Management, or contact the study coordinator.