Applying to the Graduate Program

Required Documents: All application materials must be received by the deadline date.

An undergraduate degree in political science is desirable, but not required, for admission to the M.A. program. Students with majors in closely related fields or with at least 15 hours of political science coursework will be considered for the M.A. program.

Admission to the Ph.D. program requires a Master of Arts in political science or a closely related field, (e.g., economics, sociology).

The following application materials are required for both degree programs:

Application Form and Fee: Please complete all parts of the application form and submit it to the Department of Political Science with the $35 non-refundable application fee paid via secure server. For international students living outside the United States, the check must be drawn on a U.S.-based bank located in their country.

Resume: Please submit a resume listing all educational and professional experience.

Transcripts: Submit two official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework you have done. (You must have at least a B (3.0/4.0 scale) average for regular admission to do graduate work at KU.) The transcripts must be sent directly to the Department of Political Science from your school's registrar. Do not send copies.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE): The Department of Political Science requires that all applicants submit GRE scores. The scores may not be more than five years old. Only the General Test is required - Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical portions. The paper-based GRE will be given for the last time on April 10, 1999. After this date, students must take the computer-based exam, which is offered year-round in most parts of the world. To register for the GRE, please see the GRE web site or call 1-800-967-1100.

Essay: As part of the application, the department requires a one- to two-page essay stating your career goals and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Political Science.

References: Print three copies of the reference form.* Sign the confidentiality statement on each forms and ask three persons to complete and mail the forms directly to us. We recommend that you choose your college professors as references.

*This document is in PDF format and must be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0.

TOEFL Scores: International students must submit scores from a TOEFL exam taken within the past two years. The Applied English Center will also test all international students on their English proficiency upon arrival at the University, regardless of TOEFL scores.

International Students: Immigration regulations require every international student to verify the availability of financial resources to pay for all educational, living and other expenses before a visa form is issued. The amount needed for one (1) student for the 2001-2002 Academic Year (12 months) is $18,500. Additional funds are required for dependents. For more information, please contact the Office of International Student Services.

Deadlines: The Department of Political Science only admits new graduate students for the fall semester. Your application must be complete by the following dates for admission consideration. No late applications will be accepted.
January 10: for applicants who wish to be considered for teaching assistantships or graduate fellowships as well as fall admissions.
April 15: for admission for the following fall semester.

Send all application materials to:
Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Political Science
University of Kansas
504 Blake Hall
1541 Lilac Lane
Lawrence, KS 66044-3177
Phone: (785) 864-3523
Fax: (785) 864-5700
Email: kupols@ukans.edu