The department emphasizes both quality teaching and research. Several faculty members have received awards and prizes for teaching excellence and innovative research. The department aims to train people as experts in the study of politics and government, while encouraging students to acquire a sufficient background in other disciplines to enable them to correlate their specialized knowledge with all aspects of modern life.
Degrees Offered
Doctoral
Political Science, Doctor of Philosophy
On Campus
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Fall | January 5 |
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 in last 60 hours and in political science courses
- Applicant should have at least 12 hours of upper-level course work in political science (recommended)
- An undergraduate major in an area other than political science may be acceptable
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Political Science Program
- Completed Graduate School online application, including the application fee
- One to two page statement of purpose, describing the applicant’s interests and goals in graduate study in Political Science
- Three letters of recommendation from those who can judge academic potential
- Unofficial transcripts from all degree-granting universities attended
- Academic writing sample
- CV
- GRE scores (Optional)
- For international students only, official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Master's
Defense and Strategic Studies, Master of Arts
100% Online
Admission Criteria
Summer deadline: April 15
Fall deadline: July 15
Spring deadline: November 15
- A BA or equivalent from an accredited institution
- Applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Those with a GPA under 3.0 will need very strong qualities in other areas (such as professional experience) to gain admission.
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Defense and Strategic Studies Program
- One letter of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Resume/CV
- GRE scores (Optional)
- TOEFL scores (Required for international applicants)