Graduate degrees

Attention applicants: The Department of Political Science will be making very limited admissions of Ph.D. students, if at all, for Fall 2026. Applicants only in the subfields of international relations, comparative politics, and quantitative American politics will be considered. Admissions will remain open for students seeking to pursue an M.A. degree in all sub-fields and the MPA degree. Additionally, there will be very limited funding availabel for students admitted for Fall 2026.

Ph.D. in Political Science

The strength of the Ph.D. program in political science lies in its small size and the diversity of its faculty. Students accepted into the doctoral program are expected to have a major and minor field in the areas the department offers as specializations, which include: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, or public policy.

Master of Arts in Political Science

The Master of Arts in Political Science (M.A.) offers students an opportunity for advanced, specialized courses in the discipline of political science, leading to a graduate degree. It also prepares for a career in teaching, politics, public service and government - and complements working students in their current careers.

Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares students for careers in public administration and policy analysis while improving the managerial competence of persons presently in public service through the advanced study of administrative processes and problems, and through an increased understanding of policy issues and research skills.

Graduate school admission requirements

Graduate school admission requirements vary for domestic, international, and graduate special applicants. Select from the options below to learn more.

Admission requirements

Virtual open houses

Each fall and spring semester, the Graduate School hosts multiple free, online Virtual Open Houses. Register in advance to learn about the University’s on-campus and online graduate programs and get questions answered by faculty, staff and current graduate students.

Virtual open house

Graduate student housing

Interested in living on campus? Learn more about Ponderosa Village, an on-campus community for graduate students and their families.

Housing

Funding and assistantships

The Department of Political Science offers competitive graduate teaching assistantships to our graduate students.

Funding and assistantships