<p>S1 is current undergrad majoring in Poli Sci and minoring in Economics. He’d like to go to grad school in Poli Sci and is considering University of Iowa. Part of the reason is that he would get in-state tuition.</p>
<p>Is their grad program reputable in Poli Sci? If not what are some other programs that are?</p>
<p>Where can one find rankings of particular grad school programs?</p>
<p>Iowa is ranked 50-75 for Pol Science Phd program.</p>
<p>I am assuming that by grad school you mean Phd program.</p>
<p>[Ranking</a> of Political Science Graduate Schools — PhDs.org Graduate School Guide](<a href=“http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings/political-science/rank/__M_____________________________________________________________U]Ranking”>http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings/political-science/rank/__M_____________________________________________________________U)</p>
<p>Ok. I’m new to the grad school arena. I’m thinking that he just wants to pursue a Masters for the time being. After I posted, I found a USNWR ranking that has Iowa at 33. But still not sure if this is considered “reputable” in the graduate program world.</p>
<p>Actually, according to the National Research Council rankings (the one that counts), Iowa is #25 which is very good. [NRC</a> Rankings in Political Science](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area39.html]NRC”>NRC Rankings in Political Science)</p>
<p>However, when it comes to graduate school, there’s much more to consider - what sub-field is your son interested in? Is that available at Iowa? Who is there he would like to work with? Is that person (or persons) accepting new grad students? If your son is seeking a PhD, in-state tuition doesn’t matter. He should only go to a school where he will receive full funding (tuition & fees). NEVER pay for a PhD yourself. (Most good schools won’t let you pay even if you want to - ie. aren’t considered for full funding.)</p>
<p>Many (if not most) top grad programs in areas like political science do not offer MA programs. It is PhD or nothing. I doubt that Iowa offers an independent MA program.</p>
<p>I honestly can’t think of any reason to get an MA in political science and stop there. Your son would be better off pursuing an MPA or MA in Public Policy. These are professional degrees as opposed to research degrees. He could go back later for a PhD.</p>
<p>OOS tuition is irrelevant for PhD programs. When you are funded, the OOS fees are waived. It is possible to also get funded for some MPA and similar type professional graduate degrees.</p>
<p>I’m new to the grad school arena. I’m thinking that he just wants to pursue a Masters for the time being</p>
<p>If he wants a PhD, then he should pursue that because then it’s fully funded and he can go anywhere. My son is in a PhD program and his tuition is covered and he gets a nice stipend ($26k) that covers room, board, personal expenses, etc.</p>
<p>^ Interesting mom2! What do you mean “he can go anywhere”?</p>
<p>I think she means…OOS tuition is waived…because you are fully funded therefore your son can go anywhere not worrying about OOS tuition.</p>
<p>I just checked, Iowa does not offer a stand-alone MA program in political science…it is Phd or nothing at Iowa and most top schools.</p>