2020-19

Arizona State University
University Senate
Fall 2019
Senate Motion #2020-19

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee

Date of First Reading: October 7, 2019

Date of Second Reading: November 4, 2019

Title of Motion: Request from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – School of Politics and Global Studies – for the establishment of a graduate degree – MA
Political Psychology

Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.

Rationale: The Master of Arts in Political Psychology will educate students in the psychological approach to politics. Such an approach helps us to understand cognitive and emotional factors that influence decision-making, political attitudes and behavior, public opinion and political communication, as well as the role of persuasion and influence in political marketing. The target audience for this program is professionals working for the government, political campaigns, lobbying firms, journalists, and nonprofits---and those who wish to become such professionals---who may take advantage of the application of psychological concepts and approaches to the substantive domain of politics. The degree provides a new skill set to those who are involved in decisions affecting our national and local communities consistent with the ASU charter principles. This program is being developed and administered by SPGS and we will collaborate with Department of Psychology for the content.