Module structure of the Master's program in Political Science
Your opportunities
You can study our Master's program in Political Science with or without a specialization. The module overview (see picture) shows you the basic structure of the program. If you are aiming for a degree without a content focus, the module group "specialization" is omitted and the extension area increases accordingly. You can see below which concrete modules must be selected for the respective specializations.
After you have determined your focus*, you can change your focus once during your studies. To do so, contact the examination office to apply for the change of focus.
*You choose your specialization indirectly via the module registration in FlexNow: If you register for a module of a subarea as a specialization module, then this is your chosen specialization. The secretariats can easily change this assignment as long as no grade has been entered for a module. After that, it is officially a specialization change.
Our Courses
Our master’s program generally consists of lectures (6 ECTS credits) and seminars (8 ECTS credits). The seminars are further divided into master’s seminars (traditional content-based seminars), methodology seminars, and research seminars. These research seminars focus on a variety of current topics and are particularly research-oriented, interactive, and practical in nature.
You can find detailed information about all modules, as well as their learning objectives and content, in the module handbook.
Our Methodology Modules
We view political science as an empirical social science and conduct research that is both analytical and theory-based. Our courses are specifically designed to meet the practical research needs of political scientists.
In quantitative research, we primarily work with R. If you are not yet familiar with the program, we offer a short intensive course titled “Introduction to R for Political Scientists” [PWM-WS1] at the beginning of each semester; the 3 ECTS credits earned in this course can be applied toward the advanced track.
Abschlussarbeit
Die Masterarbeit (Bearbeitungszeit: 6 Monate) umfasst 30 ECTS-Punkte und beinhaltet als begleitende Lehrveranstaltung das Seminar für Abschlussarbeiten, wo Sie die Ergebnisse Ihrer Arbeit präsentieren und diskutieren. Das Bewerbungsverfahren wird zentral vom Institut gesteuert.
Choice of Specialization, Modules, and Module Groups for Each Specialization
You select your concentration when you register for your first module exam in our exam management system, “FlexNow”: If you register for a module in a subfield that is designated as a concentration module, that will be your chosen concentration. The administrative offices can easily change this designation as long as no grade has yet been entered for that module. This is officially considered a change of concentration—you must apply for this through the Registrar’s Office, but you may only do so once during your studies.
If you are still unsure about your concentration, register for all module exams in the elective area during the first and second semesters and have them re-registered later.
The specializations described in the tables can also be found in Appendix 1 of the exam and study regulations. There you will also find a list of all existing modules with assignment to the respective subareas in Appendix 2.
- International Relations and Global Public Policy
- Democratic Politics
- Computation, Data, Politics
- Without specialization
| Module Group | Modules | ECTS-Points |
|---|---|---|
| Methods of political science | Two modules from the area of methods of political science according to appendix 2
| 16 |
| Political Science Specialization |
| 44 |
| Supplementary area | Free combination of modules of the student's choice from the following areas:
| 30 |
| Master thesis | Thesis on a topic from the subfield of International and European Politics | 30 |
| Sum | 120 |
| Module Group | Modules | ECTS-Points |
|---|---|---|
| Methods of political science | Optionally
as well as another module in the area of political science methods:
| 16 |
| Political Science Specialization | Free combination of modules chosen by the student from the following areas: Modules from the subfields of political science as listed in Appendix 2 of the Examination and Study Regulations, provided they are not included in the “Political Science Specialization” module group; | 44 |
| Supplementary area | Free combination of modules of the student's choice from the following areas:
| 30 |
| Master thesis | Thesis on a topic from the subfield of comparative politics | 30 |
| Sum | 120 |
| Module Group | Modules | ECTS-Points |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative and quantitative methods | Two modules from the area of political science methods:
| 16 |
| Political Science Specialization |
| 38 |
| Computer science and business informatics | Modules from the subjects computer science and business informatics | 12 |
| Supplementary area | Free combination of modules of the student's choice from the following areas:
| 24 |
| Master thesis | Thesis on a topic from the subfield of Computation, Data, Politics | 30 |
| Sum | 120 |
| Module Group | Modules | ECTS-Points |
|---|---|---|
| Methods of political science | Two modules from the area of methods of political science:
| 16 |
| Political science submissions |
| 44 |
| Supplementary area | Free combination of modules chosen by the student from the following areas:
| 30 |
| Master thesis | Thesis on a topic from a subfield of political science | 30 |
| Sum | 120 |