gradcafe political science phd admissions

Martin Devaux

Columbia University

Google Scholar

Political Science PhD admission decisions

less than 1 minute read

Published: November 18, 2020

After I submitted my last application to Political Science PhD programs in 2019, my admission-induced anxiety was mainly coming from not knowing when I’d hear back.

I made a little app using results posted on GradCafe so it would be easier to look up admission dates this year.

Data is coming from self-reported results and as such is subject to a number of biases. This year will also plausibly differ from previous cycles because of the pandemic, but this may still prove helpful to some people. You can find discussions about this and about more on Grad Cafe’s political science forum .

I have only included US schools from this USNWR ranking , because of time considerations linked with the data cleaning.

Select the school you have applied to and hover over past admission decisions (the colored dots) to get an idea of when you might expect results this year.

The app is built with R Shiny (code is available on GitHub ).

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Graduate Program

Pushing the Scholarly Frontier

PhD in Political Science

Our doctoral students are advancing political science as a discipline. They explore the empirical phenomena that produce new scholarly insights—insights that improve the way governments and societies function. As a result, MIT Political Science graduates are sought after for top teaching and research positions in the U.S. and abroad. Read where program alumni are working around the world.

How the PhD program works

The MIT PhD in Political Science requires preparation in two of these major fields:

American Politics
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Models and Methods
Political Economy
Security Studies

We recommend that you take a broad array of courses across your two major fields. In some cases, a single course may overlap across the subject matter of both fields. You may not use more than one such course to "double count" for the course distribution requirement. Keep in mind that specific fields may have additional requirements.

You are free to take subjects in other departments across the Institute. Cross-registration arrangements also permit enrollment in subjects taught in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University and in some of Harvard's other graduate schools.

Requirements

1. number of subjects.

You will need two full academic years of work to prepare for the general examinations and to meet other pre-dissertation requirements. Typically, a minimum of eight graduate subjects are required for a PhD.

2. Scope and Methods

This required one-semester seminar for first-year students introduces principles of empirical and theoretical analysis in political science.

3. Statistics

You must successfully complete at least one class in statistics.

You must successfully complete at least one class in empirical research methods.

5. Philosophy

You must successfully complete at least one class in political philosophy.

6. Foreign language or advanced statistics

You must demonstrate reading proficiency in one language other than English by successfully completing two semesters of intermediate-level coursework or an exam in that language, or you must demonstrate your knowledge of advanced statistics by successfully completing three semesters of coursework in advanced statistics. International students whose native language is not English are not subject to the language requirement.

7. Field research

We encourage you to conduct field research and to develop close working ties with faculty members engaged in major research activities.

8. Second Year Paper/workshop

You must complete an article-length research paper and related workshop in the spring semester of the second year. The second-year paper often develops into a dissertation project.

9. Two examinations

In each of your two elected fields, you must take a general written and oral examination. To prepare for these examinations, you should take at least three courses in each of the two fields, including the field seminar.

10. Doctoral thesis

As a rule, the doctoral thesis requires at least one year of original research and data collection. Writing the dissertation usually takes a substantially longer time. The thesis process includes a first and second colloquium and an oral defense. Be sure to consult the MIT Specifications for Thesis Preparation as well as the MIT Political Science Thesis Guidelines . Consult the MIT academic calendar to learn the due date for final submission of your defended, signed thesis.

Questions? Consult the MIT Political Science Departmental Handbook or a member of the staff in the MIT Political Science Graduate Office .

Secondary Menu

How to Apply and FAQ

Graduate Program Admission

Applications for admission are welcomed from candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy as well as for the two-year Master of Arts (MA) degree.

Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex, age, or physical handicaps. Competition for admission is very strong and admissions decisions are made by a committee of the Department, in consultation with the Graduate School, on merit and promise and with a view to diversity of interests and backgrounds.

"Can you tell me what GRE score I would need to be competitive for the graduate program?" There is no specific minimum GRE or GPA requirement. GRE scores and GPAs are considered alongside several other factors during the application review process. See the Duke Graduate School Admission Statistics section webpage for the average GRE scores and GPAs of previously admitted applicants.

Application Process

Deadlines are for receipt of application and supporting documents that includes transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, English language scores, and writing sample. Incomplete applications will not be considered until all supporting documents are received. Late applications will not be processed until all on-time applications have been handled.

PhD Applicants – We only offer a fall start for the PhD program, with a target class size of 8-12 students. Applications must be submitted online NO LATER than December 18 of the calendar year prior to admission.

MA Applicants – Students have the opportunity to start the MA program in the fall or the spring. The fall class target size is 7-10 students, and the spring class target size is 2-3 students. Applications for fall admission must be submitted online NO LATER than February 17 of the calendar year of admission. Applications for spring admission must be submitted online NO LATER than October 1 of the calendar year prior to admission.

Submission Requirements

Duke does not accept applications for transfer into the PhD or MA programs from other programs.
Applicants must offer verbal, quantitative and writing aptitude scores on the GRE.
Ordinarily, applicants will have earned the BA or BS degree with at least 12 undergraduate semester hours in political science.
Three letters of recommendation and an undergraduate transcript are required.
English language proficiency test scores (if English is not your first language)
A writing sample of 10-20 pages is requested.
Application fee is $95.

To complete your online application, go to Duke Graduate School Application Instructions .

"Who should write letters of recommendation for my application?" If you are a current undergraduate, your letters of recommendation should come from faculty members, especially political science faculty. If you are not a current undergraduate, not only do we want letters of recommendation from faculty who know you, we also want a letter from your current employer, if applicable.

Writing Samples

While the Graduate School does not require a writing sample, the Political Science Department finds them very helpful. The submission of a writing sample is required for all Ph.D. and master’s program applicants. This is generally a seminar paper written for a political science class or an article you have written/co-written and/or published/co-published.

Writing samples should be limited to fewer than 12,000 words. Works Cited and appendices do not count towards this limit. Samples should be uploaded to the Departmental Requirements section of the application.

English Language Proficiency Tests

The Duke Graduate School requires that any applicant whose native language is not English submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the academic modules of International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In response to the temporary closings of testing centers in countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Graduate School will also accept Duolingo English Test examination results for the 2020-2021 application cycle as an alternative to TOEFL and IELTS examinations. Only Duolingo English Test scores with subscores will be accepted. If you took the test prior to July 15, 2019, you will need to retake the test to comply with the subscores requirement.

To be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test waiver, you must have studied full-time for two years or more at a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a country where English is the primary spoken language. The two years of study must be completed prior to the start of the program.

For more information see English Language Proficiency Test Scores .

"What are my chances of being accepted?" We typically receive more than 350 applications to our PhD program but can only matriculate 12-15 students a year which means we must regretfully refuse admission to a large number of otherwise qualified applicants. No one factor determines whether an applicant is admitted or not. It is our practice to review all of the information included in admissions files before reaching a final decision.

Important Things to Know

DEADLINES – Applications deadlines for 2025

PhD applicants – Due Wednesday, December 18, 2024
MA applicants – Due Monday, February 17, 2025
MA (spring start) – Due Tuesday, October 1, 2024

ORIENTATION – Our orientation begins in mid-August, two weeks before classes begin. It is mandatory for all new students to attend the Orientation Session.

SUBFIELDS – On the application, after entering Political Science as the “Proposed Department,” you will be offered a menu of subfields in the "Special Field" area. There are six subfields within political science:

Normative Political Theory & Philosophy
Political Behavior and Identities
Political Institutions
Political Economy
Political Methodology
Security, Peace & Conflict

On your application, please enter the subfield that best describes your area of interest.

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS – Please note:

If you are a current undergraduate, your letters of recommendation should come from faculty members, especially political science faculty.
If you are not a current undergraduate, not only do we want letters of recommendation from faculty who know you, we also want a letter from your current employer, if applicable.

GPA/GRE – Performing well on the GRE is important for a competitive application. We do not have minimum thresholds for the GRE scores.

The code number for Duke University Graduate School is 5156 . Because you are applying for admission to the Graduate School at Duke University, you do not need a department code.

QUALIFICATIONS – No one factor determines whether an applicant is admitted or not. It is our practice to review all of the information included in admissions files before reaching a final decision.

Our Admissions Committee screens each application for several factors:
Does the applicant's academic background indicate the applicant's ability to successfully complete the PhD degree? (type/number/grade of courses taken as undergraduate, and where applicable, as master's student)
Does the applicant's statement of purpose indicate the applicant's ability and desire to successfully complete the PhD degree? (background/field of interest/goals and/or ideas/theories/literature)
Do the applicant's letters of recommendation indicate that the applicant has an outstanding aptitude, knowledge and record of performance?
Is the applicant's writing sample of the highest quality?
Is there a faculty match?
Do the applicant's test scores indicate strong analytical, quantitative and writing abilities?
If the primary language of the applicant is not English, does the applicant demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency?
Our Admissions Committee also looks at the needs of the Department (e.g. how many students in a given subfield is desirable) and ranks the applicants accordingly.

For more information about Duke’s graduate studies policies, procedures, and requirements or FAQs about admission, go to the Duke Graduate School website .

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Theme Fields
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FAQ for Prospective Ph.D. Students

What is your department's philosophy, what graduate degrees does the department of political science offer, how long is your program, what are the requirements for the ph.d. degree, how is your placement record, where can i get more information on life at stanford, housing, financial aid or being an international student, can i complete the program via distance learning, online or on a part time basis.

Can you tell me more about the JD/PhD program? How do I apply for it? How long does it take? How much does it cost?

Can you provide any advice on applying for graduate school, how to prepare myself for graduate school or how to prepare and strengthen my application?

Financial support, what is the annual cost of attending your program, what type of financial support do you offer, do you offer support for the summer months, is there support available for field work, how do i apply to the knight-hennessy scholars program, what are your research areas.

How can I find out if any of your faculty members does research in my area of interest?

Preparing for Admission

Am i required to secure an advisor before applying to your graduate program.

Is Political Science a required major to apply to your graduate programs?
Is a master's degree required for admissions?

Are applicants expected to have taken advanced coursework in mathematics and statistics?

If admitted, can i obtain credit for previous work.

Can you provide some guidelines for preparation? How are applications evaluated?

What are the admissions committee's expectations of prospective students?

Do you have a minimum gre score or gpa requirement, if admitted, may i defer my offer until a later year, application procedures, how do i apply, what is the application deadline, are applications reviewed and admissions decisions made on a rolling basis, how can i check the status of my application can you tell me if you received my application/transcripts/test scores/letters of recommendation, when will admission decisions be announced, when will the application for the 2025-26 academic year be available, can i apply for winter, spring, or summer quarter admission, what are the application requirements, do i need to submit a separate application for departmental fellowships or assistantships, what is a statement of purpose, can i submit a cv as part of my application, can i apply for an application fee waiver, can i update my application materials (cv, writing sample, statement of purpose or unofficial transcripts) after i submit my application.

Does the 20-35 page writing sample page limit include the bibliography?

I am having technical problems with my online application. What do I do?

Gre and toefl, are gre scores required for the political science phd program, do i have to submit gre scores if i already have a master's degree, i sent my official gre or toefl scores but it still says they haven’t been received on my application status page. should i resend them.

Will my application be reviewed if my official GRE/TOEFL scores arrive after the deadline?
I asked ETS to send my GRE scores in a previous year. Do I need to resubmit my GRE scores?

My GRE/TOEFL scores are not recent. Will you accept them?

Can i list multiple sets of gre/toefl scores on my application , letters of recommendation, some of my letters of recommendation might arrive after the deadline. is this okay.

One of my letter writers is having technical issues submitting their letters of recommendation. Who should they contact?

Will you accept letters of recommendation mailed from Interfolio or my university's career center or letter service? Can my letter writers submit letters via email, mail, or fax?

I'd like to make changes to my letters of recommendation writers after i submitted my application or sent the letter of recommendation request. how can i do that, may i submit more than three letters of recommendation, and will they all be included in the review process, can you provide guidance on who i should ask for a letter of recommendation, do my recommenders need to wait for me to submit my application in order to submit their letters, do i need to wait for my recommenders to submit their letters in order to submit my application, transcripts.

Do I need to send official transcripts at the time of application?

Does Stanford want an updated transcript with my fall quarter/semester grades?

Do i need to list schools i attended for less than one year or on a part-time basis, i just started a graduate program and will not have any grades at the time i apply to stanford. do i need to upload a transcript, my transcripts are not in english. will you accept them, my school’s grading system does not use a 4-point scale. how do i enter my grade point average in the online application, international students, are there any special application requirements for international applicants, does my foreign degree qualify me for graduate study at stanford.

Do I need to submit TOEFL scores?
Am I exempt from submitting TOEFL scores?

Can I request a TOEFL waiver?

My toefl scores are not recent. will you accept them , may i submit ielts scores instead of toefl scores, my school's grading system does not use a 1-4 scale. how do i enter my grade point average in the online application, as an international student, am i eligible for funding, i went to school outside of the united states. do i have to use certifile/chesicc/the collegenet document service to submit my official transcripts, can i contact the admissions committee to inquire about my preparation in advance of my application, should i contact stanford faculty to discuss my interest in the program, will i have a chance to talk to someone before i decide to accept an offer of admission, master's degree for doctoral students, can i get a master’s degree from the department of political science.

The Department of Political Science does not embrace any particular philosophy or approach to the study of political science. We offer courses and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields in the discipline (see Research Areas below). Our principal goal is the training of scholars. The small size of our student body allows more individual work with members of the faculty than most graduate programs. It also makes possible financial assistance in one form or another to most students admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Our graduate program is built around small seminars that analyze critically the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam requirement within a two-year period and for work on the doctoral dissertation.

We offer a PhD in Political Science. The Department does not offer a master’s degree for external applicants. Only students currently enrolled in a PhD or professional school program at Stanford University may apply for a Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science.

The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in five years of full-time study. Actual time depends on students' progress, research and travel requirements, and fields of study. The minimum residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is 135 units of completed coursework, which takes approximately four years. The fifth year is typically spent writing the dissertation.

Requirements vary depending on which fields a student elects to study. The minimum residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is 135 units of completed coursework, which takes approximately four years. The fifth year is typically spent writing the dissertation. All students must complete five units of graduate instruction in Political Theory unless previously taken as an undergraduate, and take a two-quarter sequence in quantitative methods. A language might also be required if the student and advisor think it appropriate for dissertation research. Beginning in their second year, students serve as teaching assistants in undergraduate courses for a minimum of three quarters, but most will serve as many as five quarters.

Students are required to satisfy the Ph.D. comprehensive examination requirements in one field as well as take coursework and fulfill any additional requirements in a second and third field and write at least one research paper. Upon completion of these three requirements, the student is eligible to be recommended for Ph.D. candidacy. It is expected that students will attain candidacy by the end of the second year. In their third year, students are asked to submit a formal dissertation proposal for approval. Doctoral candidates form a Dissertation Reading Committee in the fourth year and take the University Oral Examination after they have made substantial progress on their dissertations. Students must finish all requirements and file a thesis to receive their Ph.D. degree.

See the requirements page for more details.

Most students who receive doctorates in the program do research and teach at colleges or universities. In recent years, they have obtained positions in political science departments at such institutions as the University of California at Berkeley, UCLA, Harvard, NYU, M.I.T., Princeton, Yale, Southern California, Virginia, and Wellesley. Others have positions in research organizations like RAND, and still others have positions in university administration and government. Click to see the list of recent placements .

Visit the Graduate Student Gateway .

No. The Ph.D. program requires students to be present on campus and in-person for each quarter enrolled. The Ph.D. program is a full-time program and may not be completed on a part time basis.

Can you tell me more about the JD/PhD program? How do I apply for it? How long does it take? How much does it cost?

Information on the JD/PhD program is available here .

Please review the information on the ‘ Guide on Getting Into Grad School .’ We are not able to speculate on an applicant's chances of admission, or review application materials prior to application, or provide guidance on individual applications beyond what is provided on the Political Science department website and the Guide to Getting Into Grad School.

The costs of pursuing graduate study at Stanford depend on various factors, including student's housing preferences and family circumstances, among other factors. Information about financing graduate study and typical expenses for graduate students can be found through Graduate Admissions. Information about our financial support, which usually covers tuition and living expenses, follows below.

The Department intends that all graduate students (both domestic and international) should have adequate support to enable them to complete their studies while enrolled full-time. The standard financial package offered to admitted students covers the full cost of tuition and an additional amount for living expenses . The latter amount comes in the form of a stipend during the first year and a combination of teaching and research assistantships during years 2-5. The Department also provides students with annual funds for professional development and health insurance fees. The Department provides five years of support for Ph.D. students who are making sufficient progress towards degree. Current information regarding tuition, fees, and living expenses .

Funded PhD students in good standing are eligible to receive 12 months of funding each year, for as long as five years.

In addition to providing the standard package described above, the Department will provide each student $1,500 in discretionary funds every year in year 1-5. Most students use this money to fund professional development expenses, including language study, faculty guided research and field work. In addition, funded PhD students in good standing are eligible to receive 12 months of funding each year for as long as five years, which provides students with the possibility of conducting field work during the summer. It is also possible to use pre-doc fellowship funds to support field work during the later years of the program. There are also numerous opportunities to supplement the funding by the department with grants and stipends from university research centers, such as the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies , the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS), and the Stanford King Center on Global Development .

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 9, 2024. Learn more about KHS admission .

The department offers teaching and research opportunities in five major research areas : American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Methodology, and Political Theory. In addition, there are ample opportunities for graduate study in related departments at the university.

How can I find out if your faculty does research in my area of interest?

You can access more specific information about particular faculty members by going to the faculty page.

No. It is not necessary or possible to secure an advisor before admission to the program. Offers of admission are made to the program, not to work with particular advisors. Applicants are encouraged to read the Admissions FAQ and contact politicalscience [at] stanford.edu (subject: Admissions%20Enquiries) (politicalscience[at]stanford[dot]edu) with any general admissions questions before contacting faculty.

Is Political Science a required major to apply to your graduate program?

No, the department does not require that prospective students be political science majors. On the other hand, the department does expect that prospective students have had sufficient exposure to the field for them to develop a clear statement of purpose for attending our graduate program. In addition, as part of the application materials, applicants are required to submit a written sample that will certainly justify students having previously studied political science.

Is a master’s degree required for admission?

No, a master’s degree is not required for admission, although roughly one-third of our applicants have completed a graduate degree prior to application to the PhD program.

No, students are not required to have taken advanced courses in quantitative methods as a prerequisite for admission. In fact, the department offers a four quarter sequence in quantitative methods that introduces first and second year students to methodological tools that they can later use in their chosen fields of study. This sequence does not assume that students have had prior exposure to statistics or advanced mathematics. In addition to the sequence, the department offers a math refresher course for three weeks prior to the start of classes in the fall for all students. Note, however, that there are certain areas of study (such as American politics and political behavior) that will require more training in quantitative methods beyond the first-year sequence. Opportunities to pursue advanced work in quantitative methods exist both within and outside the department (e.g., taking courses in the economics and statistics departments).

The Department rarely accepts the transfer of previous graduate work toward fulfilling pre-candidacy course requirements. However, students with previous graduate work may be able to count some of their previous course credits toward the university residency requirement, thus reducing the time required for the Ph.D. degree. The university may allow a maximum of 45 units for work done elsewhere in another graduate program. Transfer credit is subject to the approval of the Office of the University Registrar, and there is no guarantee that transfer credit will be awarded. Students cannot apply for transfer credit until they have completed at least one quarter of study at Stanford.

Can you provide some guidelines for preparation? How are applications evaluated?

Admission to our program is highly competitive. The selection of PhD students admitted to the Department of Political Science is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the applicant’s academic record, the letters of recommendation, the scores on the General GRE (Graduate Record Examination), the statement of purpose, and the writing sample. About 12-15 students, chosen from a large pool of applicants, enter the program every year. These students are chosen on the basis of a strong academic background as evidenced by previous study, test results, writing sample, and letters of recommendation. Although we have no official score requirement, admitted students typically have GRE scores of 166+ verbal, 163+ quantitative, and a score of 5.5 in the analytical section. Admitted students typically have a GPA of at least 3.8 in their previous studies. Please be assured that the department reviews each application very carefully and makes decisions on an individual basis.

The Political Science department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Regrettably, we are not able to speculate on an applicant's chances of admission, or review application materials prior to application, or provide guidance on individual applications beyond what is provided on this website.

Admission committees follow guidelines established by the university and the department to ensure a fair review of application materials and the selection of a high quality pool of incoming students. An overview of graduate admission and study at Stanford is available.

No, all applications will be considered. However, admission to our program is highly competitive. Admitted students typically have very high GRE scores (approximately 166+ verbal, 163+ quantitative, and a score of 5.5 in the Analytical section). Admitted students typically have a GPA of at least 3.8 in their previous studies.

One year deferrals are granted only for serious and unforeseen circumstances that occur after the time of application. The one exception to that policy is that one year deferrals are allowed for students who will spend the next academic year at Stanford Law School as part of the Stanford joint JD/PhD program. Deferral requests to allow students to attend another university for a different degree program (such as a JD) are highly unlikely to be granted. Deferrals for longer than one academic year are not possible. Students should only apply during this admissions cycle if they intend to be at Stanford for the next academic year.

You must apply online via the Graduate Admissions web site. Note that online applications require the use of a credit card.

The deadline to apply for admission for the 2025-26 academic year is 11:59pm (Pacific time) on December 3, 2024. Regrettably, we are unable to accept late applications.

No. We begin reviewing all applications after the application deadline and make all admissions decisions by the end of February. There is no advantage to applying early.

To check your application status, click the Visit Your Status Page button here . Due to the number of applications that we receive we cannot confirm receipt of any application documents or tell you if your application is complete.

Letters of recommendation: Your Status Page will update automatically when letters of recommendation are received. Contact your recommendation writers (not the department) if you are missing letters of recommendation. Additional information about letters of recommendation is below in the Letter of Recommendation section of the FAQ's.

Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application. If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will be required to submit official transcripts that show your degree conferral. Please do not send official transcripts with your application.

All applications, even those marked as "awaiting materials," will be considered by the committee.

Offers of admission will be made in late February. Admitted applicants will be invited to attend our Ph.D. Admit Visit to be held in early April.

September 15, 2024

No, students may only enter the program during the fall quarter.

A complete application consists of the following documentation:

Stanford online application including statement of purpose
At least three letters of recommendation
Unofficial transcripts from each institution you attended for at least one year (Official transcripts are not required at the time of application. If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will be required to submit official transcripts that show your degree conferral.)
General GRE and TOEFL scores reported directly to Stanford (code 4704) - Learn more about these test requirements . GRE scores are required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. We will accept results from the ETS home tests.
Writing Sample : a recent scholarly or critical paper (20-35 pages, double-spaced). Applicants may submit two or three shorter samples if they do not have a long one. Writing samples must be written in English.
Application fee of $125. Information on Graduate Fee Waivers is available here .

Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions for additional information on the application process and requirements.

In general, no. In most cases, you will be considered for any available departmental funding awards when you apply for graduate study, and a separate application is not necessary. Note that in order to be considered for Knight-Hennessy Scholars , you must submit a separate application.

The Statement of Purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at Stanford, your preparation for this field of study, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. The Statement of Purpose should not exceed two single spaced pages (this is approximately 1,000 words). Additional information on crafting your statement of purpose is available here .

Yes, submitting a CV is required. Applications may upload a CV under "Experience" in the application.

Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an Application Fee Waiver . Please do not contact the Department to request a fee waiver as unfortunately, we are unable to grant them.

Be sure to submit your fee waiver request at least 10 business days (two weeks) before the application deadline to ensure a timely decision.

Applying to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars is not required in order to be admitted to the Political Science PhD program or to receive a funding package from the department.

You may update your application on your status page after submitting your application as follows:

Recommenders, Test Scores and Contact Information (email, phone, address) may be updated anytime before or after the application deadline. However, after December 10 there is no guarantee the Admissions Committee will see the updates as they will have already begun reviewing applications.
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample
Unofficial transcripts
The application system will allow you to update items in Additional Information anytime before or after the deadline. However, after December 10 there is no guarantee the Admissions Committee will review the updates as they will have already begun reviewing applications. In addition, the Committee will still see the original versions of your documents if you submit new versions under Additional Information.

Does the 20-35 page writing sample page limit include the table of contents, bibliography, and appendices?

No. The table of contents, bibliography, and appendices are not included in the 20-35 page writing sample.

Submit a request to Graduate Admissions (application login required).

Yes, GRE scores are required for all applicants. We are not able to grant waivers or make exceptions to the GRE requirement. We will accept test results from Educational Testing Service (ETS) home tests. If you are unable to take the GRE either at a testing center or via the at-home testing service by the application deadline, unfortunately you will need to wait until the next application cycle to apply.

No other exams (including the LSAT or GMAT) are accepted in lieu of the GRE.

Yes, all applicants must submit GRE scores, even if they have completed an advanced degree.

If you instructed ETS to send your test scores Stanford more than two weeks ago and your GRE or TOEFL scores are still shown as "Awaiting" on your Status Page, please submit a help request to Graduate Admissions.

Important: it may take up to two weeks from the date you you asked ETS to send the scores for test scores to be "Received" on your Status Page. Please do not request that ETS send scores again or contact Graduate Admissions to ask why your scores are listed as "Awaiting" if it has been less than two weeks since you submitted your application to Stanford. For example, if you sent your scores on December 1st, you can expect your test scores to appear as "Received" on your status page by December 15th.

If we haven't received official scores by the time the admissions committee begins review, we will consider your application with unofficial scores. This will not harm your chances of admission. We will, however, need to receive official scores from ETS before making an offer of admission.

Will my application be reviewed if my official GRE/TOEFL scores arrive after the deadline?

Yes. Any scores you self-report on the application are considered unofficial but sufficient for the initial review process. If we haven't received official scores for all sections by the time the admissions committee begins review, we will consider your application with the unofficial scores submitted in your online application. We will need to receive official scores for all sections of the GRE from ETS before making an official offer of admission.

However, your unofficial GRE/TOEFL scores for all sections of the tests must be included in your application by the application deadline. This means that you must have taken the GRE/TOEFL prior to the application deadline. If you are unable to submit unofficial test scores for all sections of the test by the application deadline, we recommend that you wait to apply until the next application cycle.

I asked ETS to send my GRE scores in a previous year. Do I need to resubmit my GRE scores?

If you had ETS send scores to Stanford prior to June 1, 2023 you will need to resubmit them.

We follow ETS policies on score validity (five years for GRE scores, two years for TOEFL scores). Refer to Test Scores for the earliest test date Stanford considers to be valid for the current application cycle.

Yes. List all GRE tests you took within the past five years that you wish to be considered by the admission committee. Do not enter “superscores” (a single entry that includes your highest section scores from multiple test dates). The application system will automatically display to the admission committee the highest score you earned in each section as well as all reported scores.

Please ask your letter writers to upload their letters no later than December 10th. If you do not have three letters of recommendation by then, your file will still be passed to the faculty committee for consideration. While recommenders may upload outstanding letters after December 10th, there's no guarantee they will be read as the committee will have already begun its work.

One of my letter writers is having technical issues submitting their letters of recommendation. Who should they contact?

They should use the link in the recommendation request email they received when you registered them as a recommendation writer to request technical support. Please do not instruct letter writers to contact the department for help with technical issues. Additional information for recommendation writers is available here .

No. As recommenders are required to respond to specific evaluation questions on the recommendation form, Interfolio is not compatible with the online system. Please ask your recommenders to submit their letters directly using the online application system. Please remember that letters written specifically for your Stanford graduate program tend to be stronger than letters written for general use purposes.

You may manage your recommenders on the same Recommendations page where you registered them. This includes sending reminder emails and changing recommenders. You continue to have access to this page after you submit your application.

To change one of your recommenders: on the Recommendations page of the application, click on the recommender’s name you wish to replace, then click Exclude at the bottom of the resulting popup window. You then will see the option to add a new recommender. The recommender you exclude will not receive an email notification.

The department expects to see three letters of recommendation per application. Applicants may enter up to four recommenders and all letters of recommendation submitted by the December 10th deadline will be considered in the review process. However, there is no automatic advantage or disadvantage to submitting more than three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation will be evaluated solely on what they say about an applicant’s academic potential for graduate work, not on how many are submitted.

Letters of recommendation should come from academic or professional references who know you well and are qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. It is strongly recommended that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work. Please see here for additional information.

No. Your recommenders may submit their letters before or after you submit your application.

Do I need to submit official transcripts at the time of application?

No. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application. You must list and provide your unofficial transcript for every post-secondary institution where you were enrolled — or are currently enrolled — in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will be required to submit official transcripts that show your degree conferral.

No, this is not necessary. Applicants may upload updated transcripts via their Status Page until the application deadline.

If you were enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at that school, then yes. If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will not be required to submit official transcripts for schools you attended for less than one academic year or on a part-time basis.

In lieu of a transcript, please upload a document that includes the courses that are in progress.

Yes, as long as you must submit original language records with official English translations. We accept translations issued by the institution or a professional translating service. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.

You are asked to enter both GPA and GPA scale for each institution you list on the application. Enter your GPA as it appears on your transcript. Do not convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale if it's reported on a different scale.

Information for international applicants is available from Graduate Admissions.

Stanford’s assessment of a post-secondary degree is based on the characteristics of a national educational system, the type of institution you attended, and the level of studies you completed. Refer to the Eligibility page to view the minimum level of study you should have achieved from a recognized academic institution to enroll in graduate study at Stanford. Contact Stanford’s Office of Graduate Admissions (not the Department of Political Science) with any further questions.

Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) to be eligible for admission, unless you are exempt or successfully apply for a waiver (see below).

Applicants must score at least 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL in order to be eligible for admission, though admitted applicants typically score at least 115.

We accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition if you are unable to take the traditional TOEFL iBT test in a test center. If you take the Home Edition or Paper Edition, you may be required to complete additional English placement testing prior to enrollment.

Am I exempt from submitting TOEFL scores?

You are automatically exempt from submitting a TOEFL score if you meet one the following criteria:

A. You (will) have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally- accredited college or university in the United States (territories and possessions excluded).

B. You (will) have an equivalent degree from an English-language university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

If you are offered admission, the official transcript must be received showing conferral of the degree from the qualifying institution or TOEFL exam scores will be required to enroll.

You may request a TOEFL waiver in the online application if you (will) have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognized institution in a country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom in which English was the language of instruction.

You will be asked to provide the URL for the page on your institution's official website stating the language of instruction.
If your institution offers instruction in languages other than English, you must upload an official statement from your institution certifying that your program was taught exclusively in English.

Your waiver request will be routed to Graduate Admissions after you submit your application. Allow up to 15 business days after submitting your application for a response. This will not delay the receipt of your application by your graduate program.

Please note that the department of Political Science does not evaluate TOEFL waiver requests. Direct all questions to Stanford's Office of Graduate Admissions.

For the current application cycle, TOEFL scores from tests taken on or after September 1, 2023 are valid.

No. We do not accept TOEFL Essentials scores or any other English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS, PTE) or coursework in lieu of the TOEFL.

Yes, both international and domestic students receive the same funding package from the department. See here for further information .

No, the use of these services is encouraged but not required. See here for more information on submitting transcripts.

No, the admissions committee is not available for consultation. We are not able to speculate on an applicant's chances of admission, or review application materials prior to application, or provide guidance on individual applications beyond what is provided on this website.

Applicants may try to contact faculty before applying to discuss their interest in the PhD program, though it is not required nor expected. It is not necessary or possible to secure an advisor before admission to the program. Applicants are admitted to the program, not to work with particular faculty. Applicants are encouraged to read the Admissions FAQ and contact politicalscience [at] stanford.edu (politicalscience[at]stanford[dot]edu) with any admissions questions prior to contacting faculty.

Yes. The department invites admitted students to campus for a visit in April. This event is an excellent opportunity to talk to faculty and students about specific concerns or questions a prospective student may have.

The Department does not offer a master’s degree for external applicants. Applicants interested in a master’s degree should look into the Ford Dorsey Masters in International Policy . Current doctoral students from within the Stanford Political Science department or in another Stanford University department may apply for a Master of Arts in Political Science during the course of their Ph.D. program. Master's candidates must take 45 units of course work, and 25 of those units must be in graduate seminars. There is no examination or thesis requirement.

gradcafe political science phd admissions

Graduate Program

Introduction.

The graduate program in Government at Cornell prepares students for academic and research careers in political science. All students admitted to the program are expected to earn a doctoral degree. In exceptional circumstances, students who choose to leave the program or who fail to fulfill the requirements for admission to doctoral candidacy may be granted a Master’s degree. Completion of the Ph.D. program normally requires two-to-three years of full-time course work at Cornell and several additional years of dissertation research and writing.

The Ph.D. Program

The Graduate Program is divided into four subfields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory . To be admitted to doctoral study, students are required to take a comprehensive written exam in one of these subfields for their major. For their second subfield, students choose to take an exam or complete coursework in a second subfield or a Course of Study of their own design. Constructed around intellectual concerns and research problems of the student’s own choosing, the Course of Study is not to be conceived as a specialization within the student’s major field: rather, it should pursue issues which link several fields of study within political science and related disciplines. Students are expected to complete their subfield examinations by the end of their third year.

We expect our graduates to possess a broad understanding of the discipline, specialized expertise in one or more areas, and competence in social science methods. Students are required to take at least one reading course in three of four subfields before advancing to candidacy. During their study at Cornell, students must complete 12 graduate-level courses in Government and related fields. (Up to three courses may be transferred from graduate programs at other institutions.)

Doctoral students must demonstrate competence in either a foreign language or methods. In addition, they are expected to serve as teaching assistants for at least one semester. Experience in undergraduate teaching under the supervision of a faculty member is essential preparation for an academic career and an important component of the graduate program at Cornell. Most Ph.D. students serve as teaching assistants for at least two years.

Research Facilities and Resources

Cornell’s library system contains nearly five million volumes and is among the leading university research libraries in the United States.

Cornell offers intensive instruction in virtually all modern languages, including many of those less commonly taught, such as the Andean languages of South America and numerous languages of South and Southeast Asia.

Graduate students are encouraged to participate in Cornell’s distinguished network of interdisciplinary research activities. Those include the programs affiliated with the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies: separate area studies programs in Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Latin America; Slavic and Eastern European Studies; the Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies; the Western Societies Program; Gender and Global Change; and the International Political Economy Program to name only a few. Other important centers for students include: the Institute for European Studies, Center for the Environment (with ten topical programs), the Society for the Humanities; the Women’s Studies Program; the Program on Ethics and Public Life; the Program in Visual Culture; the Africana Studies and Research Center, and the Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research (CISER), and the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture, and Development.

The English Language Support Office (ELSO) provides writing and speaking support to international multilingual graduate and professional students free of charge. This support includes credit-bearing writing and speaking courses; tutoring on writing projects, presentations, and pronunciation; workshops; and a conversation program. To learn more about ELSO’s programs, click here .

Submitting the Application

All application materials are to be submitted online at http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/applying/apply-now . Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Application must include copies of full academic transcripts from each institution previously attended, three letters of recommendation, an academic research statement of purpose, a writing sample, and TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable). Applicants are required to submit an academic statement and a personal statement describing how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. This is an opportunity for you to provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and innovate productively and positively together. We do not rank candidates by comparing their personal statements, but we do use them to acquire a fuller, contextual understanding of each applicant's strengths. We do not require special formatting or page limitations for your writing sample.

Effective 2023, we no longer accept GRE scores.

If your native language is not English, you must submit a TOEFL or IELTS. The minimum scores are Writing: 20, Listening: 15, Reading: 20, Speaking: 22 and an overall band score of a 7.00 higher on the IELTS Academic exam. Scores must be sent electronically (e-delivery) to the Cornell University Graduate Admissions, Caldwell Hall e-download account. E-delivery may also be referred to as an e-TRF by your test center. For admissions purposes, Cornell University's Graduate School does not require IELTS or TOEFL scores from applicants who meet a Standing Exemption . Click here for additional information on Standing Exemption

The deadline for all applications and additional materials is December 15. This deadline is FIRM, no late applications or additional materials are accepted. Cornell University expects all applicants to complete their application materials without the use of paid agents, credentials services, or other paid professional assistance. The use of such services violates University policy, and may lead to the rejection of application materials, the revocation of an admissions offer, cancellation of admission, or involuntary withdrawal from the University. Applicants are informed of the admission decision before April 1 and are expected to notify the field of their acceptance before April 15.

Application fee waiver: In cases of financial hardship, the Graduate School will consider a request for a fee waiver. Fee waivers can be requested on the application. You will need to provide a brief but well-considered explanation of how the application fee presents a financial hardship for you. Relevant factors include unemployment or underemployment, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from a recent FAFSA, economic conditions in your home country, etc. More information on fee waivers is available through the Graduate School website.

Applications are reviewed and evaluated without reference to financial need. Under normal circumstances, and contingent on satisfactory academic progress, we provide full financial support for five years of graduate study. Regularly admitted students typically receive a full fellowship for their first year and last year. The remaining financial support usually takes the form of teaching assistantships. Students who do field research for their dissertation typically require support from external sources. Several of the area studies programs at Cornell provide fellowships for this purpose on a competitive basis. We encourage and help our students pursue these and other opportunities for outside support.

Graduate Courses

Methodology

Introductory Probability and Statistics
Advanced Regression Analysis
Comparative Methods
Formal Theory and Modeling
Foundations of Social Sciences
Experiment and Survey Design

American Politics

Government and Public Policy
The United States Congress
Field Seminar: American Political Organizations, Institutions and Party Systems
Democratic Theory and Institutions
Political Economy of American Development
Social Movements and State Expansion in the 20th Century
American Foreign Policy
Public Opinion

Comparative Politics

Comparative Political Ecology
Criminality and the State
Comparative Democratization
Administration of Agricultural and Rural Development
Agrarian Political Economy
Chinese Politics
Comparative Labor Movements (Europe & Latin America)
Comparative Political Economy (advanced industrial countries)
European Parties and Party Systems
Social Movements, Collective Action, and Reform
State and Economy in Comparative Perspective

International Relations

Field Seminar in International Relations
International Political Economy
International Security Politics
Ethical Issues in International Affairs
U.S. Foreign Policy in Perspective
The Politics of Transnationalism
Asian Security
International Strategy
Foreign Policy Analysis

Political Theory

Secession, Intervention & Just War Theory
Modern Social Theory
American Political Thought
Contemporary Democratic Theory
Republicanism and Liberalism
The Western Political Tradition
Language and Politics

Life in Ithaca

Cornell University is situated in Ithaca, a small city in central New York on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes. The expansive campus, overlooking the lake and bounded on two sides by deep glaciated gorges, is acknowledged to be one of the most scenic in the world. About 3000 acres of trails, ponds, gardens, and biological research facilities are administered by Cornell Arboretum.

Ithaca is a pleasant and livable city of humanscale, with varied and affordable shopping establishments and restaurants (including the world famous Moosewood Restaurant). There are excellent facilities for most indoor and outdoor sports. The area has a lively arts community; year-round concerts, theater, and musical events are presented at Cornell and Ithaca College featuring world-class performers. In addition to the films at numerous commercial theaters, a year-round program from early classics to the most recent avant garde offerings-are presented by Cornell Cinema. Formal lectures, conferences, and seminar series bring to the Cornell campus leading international figures in all the academic disciplines and in public affairs.

Housing for graduate students is available within walking distance of the campus, in residential areas within the city of Ithaca which are served by Ithaca Transit, and in the rural surrounding areas. Excellent medical services can be found in the City of Ithaca and at Cornell’s Gannett Health Center.

Click here for more information on planning a visit to the Cornell University campus and the Ithaca area.

Graduate Faculty

Cornell’s graduate field of Government has a large and diverse faculty representing the major theoretical, methodological, and substantive areas of contemporary political science. The ratio of faculty to graduate students is excellent; students have the opportunity to work closely with one or more members of the faculty. The faculty makes a special effort to place successful Ph.D. candidates in their first professional position in what has become a highly competitive and very selective academic market.

Click here for a directory of our graduate field faculty.

Graduate Awards

Our graduate students have won a number of prestigious awards, grants and fellowships. Click here for a list of recent award winners.

Graduate Student Handbook

Click here for the Graduate Student Handbook

How to Apply

As a globally ranked university, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is an excellent choice for any student pursuing a doctorate in political science. The metropolitan area offers you a vibrant, culturally diverse community, while the department offers world-renowned faculty with global connections who specialize in a variety of areas. You will find that it is well worth the time and energy it takes to apply to the graduate program in political science.

The Department of Political Science admits to the PhD program. We do not admit to a terminal master's degree; however, students in the PhD program may earn a master's degree on the way to their doctorate.

All admitted students receive full funding for five years; no additional application is required.

We admit students to the PhD program for the fall semester only. The deadline to apply is December 15th. A master's degree is not a requirement for admission to the PhD. Political Science is a highly competitive program. We notify applicants about decisions in early February.

To apply to the PhD program, upload all materials to the online application . For other information about the admissions process see the graduate admissions home page.

The program is able to provide application fee waivers to students who meet any of the criteria below:

Diversity Student Recruitment Program (DSRP)
Diversity Fellowship Program (DFP)
Minority Fellowship Program (MFP)
Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI)
Students from Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College should email [email protected] for details of how to request an application fee waiver.
McNair Scholars may request an application fee waiver from the Graduate School's Diversity Office.

Required Application Materials

Unofficial transcripts
Please provide a statement outlining your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field, and a description of your research. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, please give that person's name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also wish to include other information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in your chosen field. (unlimited word count)
Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota's mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success. (Not to exceed one page)
Writing sample (unlimited word count)
Three letters of recommendation (if using Interfolio, just enter the dedicated email address for each letter. Interfolio and Slate "talk" to each other and the letter appears in the application in Slate)
Proof of English Language Proficiency: See Graduate School's website for exam options, relevant scores and post-secondary coursework allowances. Please note that official English test scores are only required after applicants are admitted to graduate programs. Self-reported unofficial scores are accepted for the review process.
Curriculum vitae or resume
The GRE is not required for admission decisions.

Admissions statistics for the past several years are available for viewing.

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Political Science Forum

2020-2021 Application Thread

By Theory007 November 23, 2020 in Political Science Forum

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Jan 28 2021

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Barry B. Benson

Thank you for starting this thread! I look forward to hearing from other applicants this cycle.

If I may, I will get the ball rolling: is someone else here applying to MIT? I do not know what is going on there, but they are just refusing to answer my emails. Other than that I am moving through applications rather smoothly, although one of my recommenders has gone silent, and the first batch of applications is due soon. I do really trust her, but I am getting a bit nervious.

Hey everybody! I hope everyone is hanging in there during such uncertain times. I was bummed to hear today that UNC is not accepting applications (especially since I've already submitted mine), but otherwise I am all set and just waiting for two of my recommenders to send their letters in in the next couple days. Good luck everyone!

17 hours ago, ovejal said: Hey everybody! I hope everyone is hanging in there during such uncertain times. I was bummed to hear today that UNC is not accepting applications (especially since I've already submitted mine), but otherwise I am all set and just waiting for two of my recommenders to send their letters in in the next couple days. Good luck everyone!

I'm sorry to hear that, and it is a bit scary that some application processes are still up in the air. I would have thought that by October polisci departments would have had a clearer image as to whether they were going to accept applicants. Let's hope that this is the last announcement of its kind.

On 11/24/2020 at 8:52 PM, clesanbar said: Thank you for starting this thread! I look forward to hearing from other applicants this cycle. If I may, I will get the ball rolling: is someone else here applying to MIT? I do not know what is going on there, but they are just refusing to answer my emails. Other than that I am moving through applications rather smoothly, although one of my recommenders has gone silent, and the first batch of applications is due soon. I do really trust her, but I am getting a bit nervious.

Are you me? One of my letter writers has gone silent too, so fingers crossed! I'm applying to MIT but I haven't noticed any problems, what's your issue?

On 11/28/2020 at 8:51 PM, jjiffy said: Are you me? One of my letter writers has gone silent too, so fingers crossed! I'm applying to MIT but I haven't noticed any problems, what's your issue?

hahaha that's wild. I mean it's just that no one seems to answer any emails, and my scores do not appear as of yet. But the deadline is not due until a couple of weeks from now, so I'm not really worried.

Hi everybody! Does anyone know if applications are typically due on midnight the day of (/the night before), or if we have all day on the due date to work on our applications and submit them at 11:59pm like I'm planning on doing?

15 minutes ago, cbsag123 said: Hi everybody! Does anyone know if applications are typically due on midnight the day of (/the night before), or if we have all day on the due date to work on our applications and submit them at 11:59pm like I'm planning on doing?

don't try it honestly, just get it all done ahead of time so you don't have to worry about it. If there's a problem with uploading a file or if you have a question about the application, then you won't have time to reach out to the department to get your problem solved.

cbsag123 , Clintarius , Barry B. Benson and 1 other

On 11/30/2020 at 3:58 PM, cbsag123 said: Hi everybody! Does anyone know if applications are typically due on midnight the day of (/the night before), or if we have all day on the due date to work on our applications and submit them at 11:59pm like I'm planning on doing?

Last year I submitted a couple on the day of the deadline (before midnight in the time zone of the school). I did not have an issue.

On 11/30/2020 at 4:19 PM, Oboeist said: If there's a problem with uploading a file or if you have a question about the application, then you won't have time to reach out to the department to get your problem solved.

Last year, UNC accepted a new version of my SOP a few days after the deadline because I had found a few typos in the one initially submitted. It obviously should not be a reason to miss the deadline, but if you find yourself with such an issue don't panic.

cbsag123 and Barry B. Benson

Does anyone here have any personal contacts to admissions departments (at schools where the deadlines have passed by now)? I'm curious if more or less people applied this year because of the pandemic...

Barry B. Benson , smug-face and funfetti

Don't know if it'll be useful to you guys, but last year I made this little app as a pet project to track when I might hear back from each school (for poli sci applicants): https://martindevaux.com/2020/11/political-science-phd-admission-decisions/ It uses data from Grad Cafe but displays it a little more easily for the purpose of looking up when you may expect a decision.

gradpumpkin , Richelieu , Sad Politics and 1 other

43 minutes ago, Clintarius said: Hey, Don't know if it'll be useful to you guys, but last year I made this little app as a pet project to track when I might hear back from each school (for poli sci applicants): https://martindevaux.com/2020/11/political-science-phd-admission-decisions/ It uses data from Grad Cafe but displays it a little more easily for the purpose of looking up when you may expect a decision.

This is fantastic, thanks! It appears that most schools send out admissions before rejections -- rather anxiety inducing!

Interpretivist

Does anyone know, for GRE scores, whether they'll be necessarily matched to our profile by the schools we've sent them to prior to submitting our application? I'd sent mine to the places I'm applying to a couple weeks back – most of the schools have updated my application on the portal to note that they've been received and confirmed, except for Northwestern and Cornell (both of which are using Apply Web). Not sure if this is something I should look into, if anyone might know – thanks!

2 hours ago, Interpretivist said: Does anyone know, for GRE scores, whether they'll be necessarily matched to our profile by the schools we've sent them to prior to submitting our application? I'd sent mine to the places I'm applying to a couple weeks back – most of the schools have updated my application on the portal to note that they've been received and confirmed, except for Northwestern and Cornell (both of which are using Apply Web). Not sure if this is something I should look into, if anyone might know – thanks!

My experience on this was mixed. A couple schools matched them before I submitted, but most matched them after I submitted. If you are concerned, you could email the school's admissions folks. I had a couple schools that did not verify that my scores had been linked to my application for a week or so after submission, but once I emailed them they were matched by the next day. I will note that I applied to both NW and Cornell and did not have this problem with those particular schools.

I am confused by the status check websites for a lot of the programs I've applied to already. Some of them, like that of Stanford, just confirm that LORs have been received. Is that normal?

Others list the status as "submitted." At any point, is that supposed to say "in review" instead?

I am most likely projecting my application anxiety onto this one issue, but any clarification about what status check websites should show/say would be reassuring.

ssppiikkeerr

Just checking in! Looking forward to results and hearing back from everyone else regarding admission decisions. Good luck!

Good luck everyone with the final push for tomorrow's deadlines!

ssppiikkeerr , Habermas , Barry B. Benson and 5 others

btw I love how most applications are due early to mid december, and then WashU is just hanging out at Jan 15

23 hours ago, Barry B. Benson said: Ditto! btw I love how most applications are due early to mid december, and then WashU is just hanging out at Jan 15

I feel that! I’m going to slowly submit Vanderbilt and Penn State because they’re all the way over in Jan

I hope everybody else’s applications went okay! I applied to 11 universities and I’m still so so so so anxious. I’m afraid I won’t get in like literally anywhere, literally one of my greatest fears.

2 hours ago, nivy25 said: I hope everybody else’s applications went okay! I applied to 11 universities and I’m still so so so so anxious. I’m afraid I won’t get in like literally anywhere, literally one of my greatest fears.

Fingers crossed! And congrats for finding the strength to apply this year despite the pandemic!

sherlock holmes/M

Hi guys! I have a question that is very important to me. Please help me! very urgent! I am an international applicant and my writing sample is about Russian foreign policy. Are papers on policy analysis appropriate for the writing sample, or should I change that?

4 minutes ago, sherlock holmes/M said: Hi guys! I have a question that is very important to me. Please help me! very urgent! I am an international applicant and my writing sample is about Russian foreign policy. Are papers on policy analysis appropriate for the writing sample, or should I change that?

Depends on the program, but as long as it's political science related, you should be fine (some programs do not even require a political science sample). Check the requirements of the places you're applying to! But my understanding is that the topic of the writing sample is less important than its overall quality

28 minutes ago, smug-face said: Depends on the program, but as long as it's political science related, you should be fine (some programs do not even require a political science sample). Check the requirements of the places you're applying to! But my understanding is that the topic of the writing sample is less important than its overall quality

Thank you very much. Honestly, another concern I have is about the method I have used. The method that I chose is a qualitative one and in my idea it is very simple because it is written in descriptive method and I have not used a quantitative method at all. Should I be worried about this? And since the universities I want to apply to do not have a limit on the number of pages or words for the writing sample, how many words do you think my article should be?

Mine is between 25 and 35 pages (depending on the margins I use). Most schools have some requirements - if not on the department website, the GSAS should specify the page limit. As to your method, honestly there is little point in sweating it too much now, it's not like you have time to write a different sample. Are you applying to do very quant-heavy work? If so a quant sample might have provided a stronger signal of your preparation, but I don't think it will be a determining factor, as long as it is well written and thoughtful. But I'm also applying this year, so take everything I'm saying with a grain of salt...

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Master’s in Political Science: Ultimate Guide

A master’s in political science will give you deep insight into the political, social, and economic landscape of specific cities and countries, or certain political ideologies. It will prepare you to handle societal issues, develop public policy , and participate in decision-making at the highest levels. With a master’s degree in political science, you’ll be able to choose between a wide variety of roles available and build a lucrative and rewarding career.

Read on to learn about the best political science graduate programs , job prospects, salaries, and more.

Table of Contents

What is a Political Science Master’s Degree?

First, let’s answer the question, “what is political science?”

Political science is a field that focuses on both theory and practice of politics and government at various levels from local to international. It’s essentially the social scientific study of the field of politics.

A Master’s in Political Science is a program that usually takes about two years to complete for a full-time student. This graduate program requires students to complete coursework and specialty training in the subfield of their choice. It’s worth mentioning that some MA or MS programs leave the door open for a future PhD in the field while others are terminal degrees.

A graduate degree in political science prepares learners to become political scientists who research public opinion, analyze political behavior, and examine public policy and its impact on various groups and businesses.

Should I Sign Up For a Master’s in Political Science Program?

A master’s of political science can help you launch a career in government, public policy, research, and advocacy, among other career directions. A graduate degree in this field will give you a deep understanding of how societies and governments work.

Political science graduates learn about global international relations and issues related to public policy, globalization, economics , and urban planning. With a master’s in the field from a reputable institution, a strong GPA, and practical skills, you’ll easily land a prestigious and well-paid role.

Political science is a stable field — rest assured there will be plenty of jobs in this area well into the future. After all, societies always need governments and politicians, strategic researchers, and all other associated professions!

How We Selected the Best Master’s in Political Science Programs

With so many graduate programs for political science majors available, it can be challenging to find the best ones to feature. However, that’s exactly what we did — out of the many, we selected the best political science master’s programs. Here’s how:

We looked at each institution to compare academic rigor , expectations, and quality. Before we began this comparison, we also ensured that each institution on our list was regionally accredited .
We considered each program’s reputation and looked at graduate outcomes , including whether there are sitting policymakers from said programs.
We looked at factors such as accessibility , admission requirements, availability of financial aid , student career services, and other unique benefits available at each program.
We considered the faculty at each institution.
We also looked at how each program did in the University rankings nationally and globally.

That said, after looking at all the criteria above, we selected the ten top political science grad programs below.

Best Political Science Graduate Programs

Many universities offer renowned master’s programs in political science. Here are some of the best programs available in the USA today.

Stanford University, School of Humanities & Sciences

Master of Arts in Political Science / Master of Arts in International Policy

Location : Stanford, California

Acceptance rate : 3.9%

Accreditation : WSCUC

Tuition cost : $58,746 in 2023-2024 for the Master’s in International Policy (MIP) program

Financial aid : Fellowships, Internship Funding, Assistantships, etc.; More information is available here

Program duration : Two years for MIP

The School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University is one of the best graduate schools for political science in the country, with an overall acceptance rate of only 3.9%. In the unlikely chance you still aren’t convinced that Stanford is among top grad schools for political science, US News ranked Stanford #1 best political science school in 2021.

Stanford is an internationally acclaimed private research university founded in 1885 and is located in the Silicon Valley area just south of San Francisco, California.

Only students who have completed 45 credits with Stanford University’s doctoral or professional school are currently eligible to apply for their Master of Arts in Political Science program. Under this program, you can choose between concentrations in International Relations, Political Theory and Political Methodology, Comparative Politics, and American Politics.

If you still want to attend Stanford if you haven’t completed those 45 credits, you may be happy to know that external students can apply for the Master’s in International Policy program from the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

Duke University, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Master of Arts in Political Science

Location : Durham, North Carolina

Acceptance rate : 5.9%

Accreditation : SACSCOC

Tuition cost : $30,110 per year for domestic students; more information is available here

Financial aid : Available ; More details available from Duke’s Department of Political Science

Program duration : Two years

Duke University was founded in 1838 as a small school in North Carolina. Now, it boasts two faculty members with Nobel prizes in chemistry. The school also values its diversity, proclaiming that more than half of its students are people of color and international students. The overall acceptance rate is 5.9%

Duke’s MA in Political Science program is one of the best political science master’s programs in the country. The program is closely linked to their doctorate programs, with faculty overseeing both master’s and PhD students, and students of the two levels working together in seminar courses.

You can choose two concentrations from Normative Political Theory and Philosophy, Security, Peace, and Conflict, Political Behavior and Identities, Political Methodology, Political Institutions, and Political Economy. There are also opportunities for paid internships and training through the school’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for Development (MELD) program.

Columbia University

Location : New York, New York

Acceptance rate : 4.1%

Accreditation : MSCHE

Tuition cost : ~$60,000 per year

Financial aid : FAFSA, limited fellowship slots

Program duration : Two semesters when taken full time

Founded as King’s College in 1754, Columbia University is one of the world’s leading research universities. Located in New York City, it caters to a diverse group of students and has an overall acceptance rate of 4.1%

Columbia’s Master of Arts in Political Science program has concentrations in four fields: American Politics, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, and International Relations. The program is based on coursework, so you don’t need to write a thesis. The full-time program runs for two semesters, and a part-time option is also available.

GRE scores are optional for applicants to the MA program.

George Washington University, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Location : Washington, D.C.

Acceptance rate : 49.7%

Tuition cost : $33,930 per year when full-time

Financial aid : More information here

Program duration : 33 credit hours

George Washington University was founded by Congress in 1821. It is located in the center of Washington, DC, and has a very generous acceptance rate of 49.7%. This university requires your GRE scores.

Across all its programs, the university emphasizes practical skills and allows students to complete internships in prestigious institutions such as the White House, Bloomingdale’s, and the World Bank.

The university’s MA in Political Science program gives its students a practical understanding of the field of political science. Concentrations in American Politics, Law & Politics, and World Politics are available with the program, and students can study alongside doctoral students and participate in practice debates. To finish the program, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 15 credits out of a total of 33 credit hours in one of these concentrations.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Master of Science in Political Science

Location : Cambridge, Massachusetts

Accreditation : NECHE

Tuition cost : Fall/spring 2022-2023 $28,795

Program duration : One year

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was established in 1861 and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This prestigious institution is known for excellence in education, research, and innovation. MIT has an overall acceptance rate of 4.1%.

The school’s Master of Science in Political Science gives students clear insight into the function of modern societies and governments, as well as public policy development.

For the one-year program, you can choose between a range of concentrations, including American Politics, Models and Methods, and International Relations, among others. This program involves a minimum of 66 units spread over six subjects and you’ll need a GPA of 3.5 for successful completion.

Villanova University

Location : Villanova, Pennsylvania

Acceptance rate : 25.2%

Tuition cost : $845 per credit

Financial aid : More information is available here

Program duration : 30 credit hours + a capstone experience; two years for full-time students

Villanova is a private non-profit Catholic university founded in 1842 and located in Pennsylvania. This university offers a Master of Arts in Political Science with a curriculum blending both theory and practice. Enrolling in this program means you’ll need to complete a 30-credit curriculum. Students can choose between three concentrations: Political Philosophy, American Government, and International Relations + Comparative Politics.

At Villanova, classes are capped at a maximum of 15 students to encourage a discussion-based lecture environment. Students will finish the program with either a comprehensive exam (written) or a thesis.

University of Florida

Location : Gainesville, Florida

Acceptance rate : 30.1%

Tuition cost : $12,744 in-state, $17,394 out-of-state; more information is available here

Financial aid : More information available on the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships website

Program duration : 36 credit hours; about two years for full-time students

The University of Florida has well over 300 programs. As an academic powerhouse in the region, UF offers a fantastic online or distance learning experience. However, the MA Political Science program at this institution is an on-campus program that requires 36 credits to finish. This program will also require students to complete two courses: political data analysis and conduct of inquiry. Students then build their curricula around these core courses.

Rutgers University

Location : New Brunswick, New Jersey

Acceptance rate : 68.2%

Tuition cost : In-state $9,348, Out-of-state $15,900; more information is available here and here

Program duration : 36 credit hours; two years for full-time students and up to four for part-time

Despite its high overall acceptance rate, Rutgers holds the distinction of being one of the country’s top 25 public universities. Out of the institution’s 200 programs, one of them is the MA in Political Science. However, this graduate program is made even more unique thanks to its unusual concentration: United Nations and Global Policy Studies.

Students who enroll in this program can expect to take twelve courses, including three core courses examining the UN and global affairs, plus a capstone seminar about the UN and global policy.

If you apply to this program, there are some financial aid opportunities, including fellowships and living stipends. Also note that applying requires your GRE scores.

Syracuse University

Location : Syracuse, New York

Acceptance rate : 59.2%

Tuition cost : $32,436; more information is available here

Program duration : 30 credit hours; about one to two years for full-time students

Syracuse University is a private institution located in upstate New York. This university offers over 200 advanced degree programs, including a Master of Arts in Political Science. The MA Political Science program at Syracuse allows students to choose between earning a terminal degree for professional training or joining a program that puts them on a path to a PhD.

This 30-credit-hour program was designed as a one-year stint. However, you can choose to take longer if necessary. You can choose your specialty as well, though you will need to complete a methodology course required by the program.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Location : Champaign, Illinois

Acceptance rate : 59.7% overall

Accreditation : HLC

Tuition cost : About ~$28,000 per year; more information here

Financial aid : All students receive financial assistance in fellowships/assistantships; more information is available here

Program duration : 32 credit hours

Although the overall acceptance rate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is nearly 60%, the Master of Arts in Political Science program in particular is highly selective. The UIUC department of political science states that its goal is to admit a small but highly capable group of students. Each admitted applicant receives financial aid, either as a fellowship or assistantship.

This graduate program has two concentrations on offer, namely African American Studies and Civic Leadership. Students can also build their own curriculum, tailoring their studies by choosing from courses that cover various topics, including research design/techniques, democratic political institutions, comparative political behavior, and more.

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Master’s Degree in Political Science?

Typically, a master’s degree in political science requires at least 30 credits and can take anywhere from one to two years to complete if you study full-time. On the other hand, a part-time program can take three to four years.

There are also special integrated programs where you can earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the same time. These typically take around five years to complete.

How Much Does a Master’s in Political Science Cost?

Tuition fees for master’s programs in political science vary widely depending on a range of factors. Most notably, there is a big difference between tuition in public and private universities, with the former being significantly lower.

On average, the tuition for public universities is around $7,772 if you come from the same state and about $27,968 if you’re from out of state. Tuition in private universities can vary dramatically depending on the institution. If you enroll in an online program , the tuition is usually the same, but you’ll likely have fewer expenses in general as you won’t need to pay for things like transport and accommodation.

Financial Aid for Master’s in Political Science Students

If there’s one thing that potentially discourages many from applying to top graduate schools for political science master’s degrees, it’s the cost involved. It’s no secret that a master’s degree can cost quite a lot of money — so much that it’s quite cost-prohibitive for many. It’s very common to see hopefuls going into massive amounts of debt to invest in their future careers.

Fortunately, you won’t always have to go into insurmountable debt or bear the brunt of your tuition costs alone. Some programs may offer a partial tuition waiver in return for required assistantships, though on rare occasions, some programs will offer a full tuition waiver for the same. But what if your chosen program doesn’t offer a tuition waiver? What options do you have other than looking for the cheapest online master’s degrees ?

It may not be immediately obvious, but graduate students can actually qualify for a lot of the same financial aid offerings as undergraduates.

One of the best examples of this is the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Applying for the FAFSA can help you qualify for federal student loans, which typically offer better interest rates and benefits than private loans. And as a master’s student, you’re automatically considered an independent student when you file your FAFSA, so you no longer have to provide your parents’ financial information as you might’ve needed to in undergrad.

Students looking to enroll in the best political science graduate programs can benefit from a number of financial aid opportunities, such as:

Federal work-study programs where students get federal work placements to help them earn an income that can help pay for education costs
Private loans from banks and private institutions
Grants, scholarships, and fellowships from the university, the state, professional associations, or other institutions
Assistantships and fellowships (usually with a school’s department of political science) where students receive tuition remission and, sometimes, a living stipend to cover expenses while studying full-time

Are There Scholarships for Political Science Master’s Degree Students?

There are many scholarships available from various organizations and professional associations. Some of them are renewable, while others are one-time awards. It’s best to apply to as many scholarship opportunities as you can as you’ll likely have a lot of competition. Applying to more will allow you to increase your chances of success.

Here are some notable scholarships:

Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship – This scholarship awards $15,000 to grad students researching aspects of wilderness, including climate change, conservation, and related public policy.
Beinecke Scholarship – This scholarship awards $34,000 to students earning their graduate degree in the arts and humanities as well as the social sciences, of which political science is a part. Applicants must be able to show proof of past need-based financial aid. They must also be able to meet scholastic and academic requirements and excel in their achievements.
ISI Fellowship – This scholarship from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute awards up to fifteen students a fellowship with an amount between $5,000-$15,000. Students must be earning their graduate degree in humanities and/or social sciences, and must be able to show their commitment to teaching after they graduate. Applicants can demonstrate this commitment through their personal statements.

What Will You Learn from a Master’s in Political Science Program?

Once you enroll in a Political Science graduate program, you’ll need to take various courses that will help you develop strong skills in research and analysis. These courses typically include subjects like political economy, comparative politics, and more. Some programs include coursework relating to political theory and history, political psychology, American political culture, and more.

To complete your master’s degree in political science, you may need to take a master’s exam, while others may require a capstone project or master’s thesis.

It’s worth mentioning that many programs will allow students to choose their specializations to effectively tailor the programs to their specific interests. Thus, it is not uncommon to see programs offering a wide range of concentrations, some of them below.

Master’s in Political Science Concentrations

Master’s in political science programs typically offer a vast range of concentrations and specializations to allow students to tailor their studies to their career aspirations.

Here are some of the most common specializations:

American Politics: Covers an in-depth understanding of how US Politics has influenced American society over time.
Comparative Politics: Covers different political systems across various countries and their similarities and differences.
Political Theory: Analyzes various political concepts, such as democracy, class economics, liberty, revolution, and gender in depth.
Public Administration: Prepares you for roles in and related to research and business process execution in public administration.
Public Policy: Equips you for decision-making roles related to public policy analysis, development, and implementation.
International Relations: Covers the complexities of how countries interact at an international level, their alliances and disputes, and how to design solutions for international issues.
Civil Disobedience: Helps evaluate how rebellions originate, develop, and finally culminate in success or failure.

How Much Money Can You Earn with a Master’s in Political Science?

You’re probably wondering about your career options and how much you’d make as a graduate if you commit to earning a master’s of political science.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS states that the typical education requirement for entry in political science-related fields is a master’s degree. A master’s is certainly a huge investment, but your investment can truly pay off.

You probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that many political science master’s degree holders often have high-earning careers that allow them to take home over six figures. If you look at the BLS occupational outlook handbook, Political Scientists had a median salary of $122,150 in 2021.

However, it’s worth mentioning that a master’s degree in political science can also prepare graduates for careers in other fields, such as public relations or fundraising management. And according to the BLS, the 2021 median salary for public relations managers was at $125,780 while the 2021 median pay for fundraising managers was $100,810.

Of course, there are many other fields you can get into with a Political Science master’s. Read on to see what other jobs you can get after graduating from this program.

What Jobs Can You Get with a Master’s in Political Science?

A master’s degree in political science qualifies you for a wide range of professions in the public and private sectors, with various levels of salary. Here are some of the job opportunities and roles you can secure with this qualification, along with their median annual salaries:

Political Scientist ( $85,257 )

A political scientist carries out research and analysis in political theory, working within the government or the political sector. They advise on social, political, and economic issues affecting society. According to Glassdoor, the likely range for political scientists is $66K to $111K. However, the BLS states it is not uncommon to have salaries of six figures and up.

Economist ( $100,582 )

An economist researches a range of issues at the national and international levels. They are experts in all matters related to the economy, such as cost of living, employment, labor issues, healthcare policy, and energy development and management.

Urban and Regional Planner ( $98,783 )

An urban and regional planner’s work involves interacting with government officials, contractors, and developers around environmental, social, and economic projects. They collect feedback, develop plans for projects, and oversee budgets.

Lobbyist ( $85,694 )

A lobbyist acts as a bridge between private organizations and businesses and politicians. They research the legislation and legal stance of the government and advise their clients on framing and strategy. They talk to politicians on behalf of their clients to influence government policy.

Political Campaign Manager ( $75,357 )

A political campaign manager designs and manages campaigns for political organizations or individual politicians. They research different campaign strategies and give advice on budgets, messaging, public relations, and other aspects of the campaign.

Policy Analyst ( $73,901 )

A political analyst monitors and assesses the impact and effectiveness of public policies. This analysis constructively contributes to government planning and processes, allowing public institutions to make better decisions.

Journalist ( $58,159 )

Journalists play a more important role than ever in keeping the public informed on the issues that affect government, business, and society in general. A graduate degree in political science will equip you for political reporting as well as across print, television, and digital journalism across a range of fields.

Legislative Assistant ( $65,875 )

A legislative assistant mostly handles administrative tasks related to legislation for government agencies. They keep an eye on relevant policies and processes, manage communications, and carry out documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a bachelor’s degree in political science to get into a master’s program for political science.

You might be surprised to know that, no, you do not need a bachelor’s degree in political science to get into a master’s in political science. You’ll still most likely need a bachelor’s degree, but it won’t necessarily have to be in political science. However, it’s worth mentioning that political science master’s programs often look for past coursework relating to political science — and they may want your major to be from a field closely related to politics.

Is MA Political Science difficult?

An MA in Political Science can indeed be challenging to pursue. A Master of Arts degree in Political Science is both practical and theoretical, with a focus on multiple theories, philosophies, and thinkers. An MA will allow you to enter various fields and specializations upon graduation, such as media, marketing, public administration, public service, academics, and more.

Is political science MS or MA?

Most political science master’s degrees are offered as MAs or Master of Arts. However, some colleges and universities offer theirs as MS or Master of Science.

Final Thoughts

As with any graduate program , it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons before choosing the right master’s in political science for you. Think about the quality of the school’s faculty, the concentrations offered, and the overall cost of studies before deciding on a master’s program. After all, the right course from a prestigious university can take your career to unimaginable heights!

Still not sure which field is right for you? If you’re looking for something lucrative, consider one of the highest-paying master’s degrees .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Political Science Forum
261. Location:United States. Application Season:Already Attending. Program:Political Science. Posted October 25, 2021. Welcome everyone to the 2021-2022 application thread for political science! Discuss the application process, ask questions, post results when they come out, and anything else related to admissions this year.
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Course Requirements. The Ph.D. program in Political Science requires 60 credits of approved graduate work, of which at least 20 credits (5 courses) should be earned through 800-level doctoral research courses. These courses may be in any areas of political science and may include independent study, so long as the independent study includes a ...
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Program:Political Science. Posted November 23, 2020. Welcome everyone to the 2020-2021 application thread for political science! Discuss the application process, ask questions, post results when they come out, and anything else related to admissions this year. Good luck to you all! Clintarius, Barry B. Benson, sherlock holmes/M and 1 other. 2. 2.
Master's in Political Science: Ultimate Guide
Master of Arts in Political Science / Master of Arts in International Policy. Location: Stanford, California. Acceptance rate: 3.9%. Accreditation: WSCUC. Tuition cost: $58,746 in 2023-2024 for the Master's in International Policy (MIP) program. Financial aid: Fellowships, Internship Funding, Assistantships, etc.;
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TheGradCafe is the leading resource for real-time grad school admissions results. Embarking on a journey to grad school is no easy feat, and the journey comes with hard work, anxiety, waiting, and coordination. One significant stressor for many prospective grad students is the admissions process. With tons of schools, programs, and varying ...
Political Science mega thread? There's little to no action ...
Anyways, there's been a bunch of rejects at Emory and interviews at Duke and Notre Dame reported on gradcafe, on top of the UIUC admit you pointed out. We just have to sit tight (I'm saying this by I am positevely losing my shit already).

Martin Devaux

Political Science PhD admission decisions

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Graduate Program

PhD in Political Science

How the PhD program works

Requirements

2. Scope and Methods

3. Statistics

5. Philosophy

6. Foreign language or advanced statistics

7. Field research

8. Second Year Paper/workshop

9. Two examinations

10. Doctoral thesis

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Graduate Program Admission

Application Process

Writing Samples

English Language Proficiency Tests

Important Things to Know

For more information about Duke’s graduate studies policies, procedures, and requirements or FAQs about admission, go to the Duke Graduate School website .

FAQ for Prospective Ph.D. Students

Can you provide any advice on applying for graduate school, how to prepare myself for graduate school or how to prepare and strengthen my application?

Preparing for Admission

Are applicants expected to have taken advanced coursework in mathematics and statistics?

What are the admissions committee's expectations of prospective students?

I am having technical problems with my online application. What do I do?

My GRE/TOEFL scores are not recent. Will you accept them?

Will you accept letters of recommendation mailed from Interfolio or my university's career center or letter service? Can my letter writers submit letters via email, mail, or fax?

Does Stanford want an updated transcript with my fall quarter/semester grades?

Can I request a TOEFL waiver?

Can you tell me more about the JD/PhD program? How do I apply for it? How long does it take? How much does it cost?

How can I find out if your faculty does research in my area of interest?

Is Political Science a required major to apply to your graduate program?

Is a master’s degree required for admission?

Can you provide some guidelines for preparation? How are applications evaluated?

Does the 20-35 page writing sample page limit include the table of contents, bibliography, and appendices?

Will my application be reviewed if my official GRE/TOEFL scores arrive after the deadline?

I asked ETS to send my GRE scores in a previous year. Do I need to resubmit my GRE scores?

One of my letter writers is having technical issues submitting their letters of recommendation. Who should they contact?

Do I need to submit official transcripts at the time of application?

Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) to be eligible for admission, unless you are exempt or successfully apply for a waiver (see below).

Am I exempt from submitting TOEFL scores?

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2020-2021 Application Thread

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Important Information

Master’s in Political Science: Ultimate Guide

What is a Political Science Master’s Degree?

Should I Sign Up For a Master’s in Political Science Program?

How We Selected the Best Master’s in Political Science Programs

Best Political Science Graduate Programs

Stanford University, School of Humanities & Sciences

Duke University, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

Columbia University