Master of Arts in Political Science

at EDUCO - University of West Florida USA

The B.A. in International Studies is an interdisciplinary program that brings together courses from various academic disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, and business.  The program has the aim of training students to approach global issues from a variety of perspectives preparing them to be global citizens and workers in an interconnected world.  Upon graduation, International Studies majors may pursue opportunities in government, military, business, policy analysis, foundations, the media, humanitarian agencies, and organizations with a presence abroad.  International Studies students choose from three different concentration tracks of study: diplomacy and international affairs, security studies, or international business and economics.

The B.M. in Music is designed to prepare students for careers in the field of music. Permission to major or minor in music is granted by the department and an audition is required.

The B.A. in Political Science provides students with a foundation in the liberal arts and social sciences. Courses in the degree plan cover fundamental questions pertaining to the governance of human societies, the origin and evolution of law and justice, the comparative performance of democracies and dictatorships, the exercise of political leadership, the origins of war, and the maintenance of peace. Students will analyze competing theories of human nature and political organization subjecting them to the test of reason, history, and experience. The political science major is appropriate for many students, including those seeking a professional degree in government and public service, specific expertise in international security and diplomacy, familiarity with political organizations, and preparation for employment in advocacy, corporate, education, or non-profit sectors.

The Pre-Law Specialization emphasizes core courses in American government, with attention paid to American political thought, constitutional law, and judicial politics. Students then take courses across a broad array of subjects, including political theory, as well as history, economics and business, philosophy, literature, communications, and statistics. The political science/pre-law major is appropriate for students seeking a pre-professional degree in law.

The Commission of Accreditation for Athletic Training Education (CAATE) recently announced that the professional degree for athletic training will be at the master's level and that, effective fall 2022, baccalaureate programs may not admit, enroll, or matriculate students into the athletic training program. UWF plans to transition to a master’s degree in the summer of 2021.

The Athletic Training (AT) Program is designed to prepare students for a professional entry-level healthcare career in the athletic training profession. This program, specifically designed to meet national and state licensure requirements, is a two-year master's level program (54 credit hours) that combines classroom and clinical education teaching/learning strategies.  Students completing this MS degree program will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) examination.

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree is offered through the UWF Department of Movement Sciences and Health (MSH).

The University of West Florida is one of only a few institutions in the United States which offers a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. The program is provided through the Department of Biology. The curriculum includes a series of seven core courses fundamental to all areas of biology. Elective courses emphasize theoretical and practical aspects of aquatic/marine biology. Wetlands and estuarine marshes of the main campus, as well as the nearby Santa Rosa Island campus and the Gulf of Mexico, provide living specimens for study and serve as laboratories supporting elective courses. Graduates may seek careers in marine biology, fisheries management, aquaculture, pollution biology, and marine toxicology, and find employment in local, state, and federal departments of environmental regulation and education, as well as the private sector. Graduates are also well prepared to pursue advanced degrees. Prospective students need to be aware that some biology lab courses involve the use of live animals; students may wish to seek details from course instructors before enrolling.

Throughout time, music has both reflected and driven philosophies, social, political and cultural movements. Those who study and practice music engage in these rich contexts, which continue to define and shape our world.

Are you interested in teaching music? Our program offers low student-teacher ratios and one-on-one instruction in applied studies that provide the personalized mentoring and guidance needed to achieve professional success. The Dr. Grier Williams School of Music was established in 2020 after receiving the largest cash gift in the history of the University of West Florida. Students in the school of music and members of the Argo Athletic Band now benefit from an endowed scholarship fund in excess of $7 million. This transformative gift has created a new landscape of opportunity for our school, leading to unprecedented growth and innovation across our music curriculum.

The Maritime Studies Program is designed to familiarize students with the dynamic cultural and natural resources of the maritime environment. Students gain the necessary knowledge and expertise to enable them to participate and contribute to our growing understanding and management of the maritime environment.

Maritime Studies prepares students for careers in the diverse and exciting maritime world. This degree provides a broad understanding of the diversified field by integrating maritime themes, transferable skills, and a knowledge base to enter a variety of maritime-related careers. The maritime industry is a major global employer with thousands of opportunities in many areas. The marine environment covers 71% of the earth and continued technology advancement has increased pressure on its resources. Understanding and managing maritime resources is becoming increasingly important, requiring a wide range of theoretical knowledge and practical skills that this Maritime Studies degree will provide.

The hallmark of the Maritime Studies Program is its flexibility because it allows students to tailor their degree program to their individual interests. It requires only a few specific core courses to provide an overview of the main areas in Maritime Studies. Students complete their degree programs with elective courses from a wide range of disciplines such as Anthropology/Archaeology, Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, History, Art History, Literature, Law, Political Science, and Leisure Studies.

Academic study is only part of the essential training needed for students of Maritime Studies. They also must have a structured field experience in which methods of sampling, recording, and other practical aspects of professional work in the field environment are learned.

The B.F.A. is a professional art degree program that provides a more intensive course of study than the traditional B.A. in Art, with a specialization in Studio Art. The degree prepares students for entry into the professional art world and/or graduate school. In the B.F.A. program, students can concentrate in a number of studio areas, including Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, and Ceramics, as well as New and Mixed Media. There are separate specialization programs for B.F.A. students studying Art, Digital Art and Graphic Design.

Advanced training in communication is more vital than ever as our society is reshaped by access to information, technological advancement and increases in global interaction. Graduate students in the Strategic Communication & Leadership program will gain skills needed to excel in the career of their choice, from health care and business to nonprofit foundations and education, and more.

Why Study Strategic Communication & Leadership at UWF?

In our master's programs, you will begin to understand the ways in which exercise is not only tied to improved fitness and athletic performance but also to physical and psychological health.

The M.S. in Movement Sciences & Health offers two specializations: Exercise Science, and Physical Education and Sports Performance.

The perfect combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience will prepare you to succeed in the workplace. Additionally, you will build a professional network that provides mentoring related to career options within your profession, potential employment opportunities, and furthering your graduate education.

What You Will Learn

You will be guided through the curriculum by faculty who are dedicated to your individualized learning. They will get to know you and work closely with you to achieve your professional goals.

The program is based heavily on hands-on experiences where you will have the opportunity to utilize a variety of state-of-the-art laboratories, research tools and equipment.

In the Exercise Science specialization, you are prepared to successfully acquire nationally recognized certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist.

In the Physical Education and Sports Performance specialization, you will learn how to lead individuals in various physical activity settings, including education, sports, fitness, wellness and health. You will examine, evaluate and apply research on skill development and learning in physical education, coaching and physical activity.

The BS in Information Technology provides a firm foundation of coursework, including programming principles, database concepts, end-user support, security, networks and operating systems.  The program emphasizes applied skills, including internship, co-op, research, and capstone experiences that will prepare graduates to enter the Information Technology workforce.

Information Technology Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the UWF B.S. in Information Technology degree program will be known for their accomplishments in the early stages of their careers and they should:

• Develop information technology solutions to important problems either individually or through interdisciplinary teams within a global and societal context.
• Professionally and ethically, engage in technical or business activity through information technology abilities, communication skills, and knowledge.
• Engage in continuing professional growth through post-graduate education, continuing education, or professional activity.