RadialMap

I applied and was accepted to a top program in Canada for a one-year MA track in political science. My question is, what is the process for transitioning into a PHD program if I decide I want to continue? I am due to enter the Fall 2020 semester in September. If I complete my MA on schedule in 2021, do I have to get a job for a year and wait for acceptance into a PHD program in Fall 2022? Is there a way to continue taking courses for a PHD track with the successful completion of an MA? This appears only to be a problem with one-year track MA programs because with a two-year track, you have one extra year to get everything in order. The one-year track would require me to prepare half-way in, which is hardly time enough to establish relationships that would benefit a new application. (I'd have to fall back on BA recommendations perhaps.) What are others' experiences going through a one-year track MA to PHD?

After failing out of college many years ago, I have since returned and will be graduating with a BA in political science (with a minor in writing studies). I've managed to get a 3.98 (one A-) with the last 65 or so credits, bringing my CGPA up substantially. Additionally, I've participated in research focused internships and have a wide array of submittable writing samples. Is applying to graduate school a good plan? Would someone like me simply get filtered out before being considered? I do enjoy research, and my writing is particularly strong. My reasons for going back to school include a career shift, having been in software for close to a decade and generally disliking the field. My tepid idea is to pursue a PhD if my MA experience turns out well. I am an older candidate (mid-30s) that has shown a capacity to recover my marks. I have a software background that could come in handy considering the type of research I would like to do (using software to do NLP and network analysis of political social media). Looking for feedback, and if the graduate path is ideal. If it makes any difference, I am both a Canadian and American citizen living mostly in the states but planning to apply for graduate MA programs in Canada (UBC and UoT, in particular). I would like to contribute to my field if given the opportunity, just weighing the considerations.