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Political Science

Application Information

The M.A. program uses rolling admissions, so students may begin the program in the fall or spring semester.  Applications should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than three weeks before the start of the semester.  See "Applying for Admission..." below.    

 

TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS:   

* SPRING SEMESTER 2026:  A small number of Teaching Assistantships are available for Spring semester 2026. Applications are due by November 21, 2025.  See the "TA Application" page for application information and the application form.  

* Students must be fully accepted in the M.A. program and be enrolled by the start of the term in which the awarded Teaching Assistantship begins.

* New MA students: you must submit the separate Teaching Assistantship application in addition to your application for Admission to the MA Program, if you are seeking a TA position

* NOTE: Teaching Assistantship applications for Academic Year 2026-27 will open on January 1.

 

Applying for Admission to the Political Science Master of Arts Program 

Rolling Admissions Policy: the MA Program has a rolling admissions policy, allowing students to apply for fall or spring admission.  Application materials must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the start of the semester for which admission is sought.  For students interested in Teaching Assistantships for the following year, application materials must be submitted by mid-March (usually March 15), and a separate Teaching Assistant application must also be submitted by mid-March (on the separate "TA Application" page.

To Apply for Admission:

First, applicants must apply online for admission to the UM Graduate School.  Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are on the Graduate School website here: Applying for Admission.  This application includes your information, the MA Program you are applying for admission to, the application fee, and the names and contact information of three (3) people who know you and your work well and have agreed to complete a recommendation for you.  At least two of the three recommenders should be Political Science professors you have taken courses with.

Second, in addition to the online Graduate School application and materials (official transcripts), the Department of Political Science also requires:

  • A 300 word statement describing your reasons for seeking the M.A. degree in Political Science at UM.
  • Three letters of recommendation - as noted above, at least two of the three letters should be from faculty you have taken Political Science courses from. In the Graduate School online application, list your recommendation letter writers and their contact information.
  • IF you have taken the GRE, official GRE Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing scores.

Program Requirements for Admission

  • Admission is based upon the applicant's undergraduate academic record including coursework and GPA, letters of reference, and personal statement.  Optional GRE scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections are included in the admissions decision for applicants who have taken the GRE (see next bullet point).
  • GRE scores are not required (except for International applicants; see below). However, for students whose undergraduate coursework includes fewer than 30 semester credits in political science or a GPA 3.2 or lower, we recommend taking the GRE to strengthen the application. Scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections will be included in the admissions decision; the Quantitative Analysis section is not considered in our admissions evaluations).
  • Applicants for the M.A. degree should have the equivalent of 30 undergraduate credits in political science and 3.2 GPA; applicants with fewer political science credits or lower GPA may be eligible for provisional admission to the program.
  • Please contact Professor Ramona Grey at ramona.grey@mso.umt.edu with any questions about the above requirements and the specifics of your undergraduate academic record.  (Professor Christopher Muste is on sabbatical leave fall semester 2025.)

International Students

All international M.A. applicants must take the GRE, focusing on the sections on Verbal Reasoning and Analytic Writing.  The Quantitative Reasoning scores are not part of our admissions decisions.  Official GRE scores must be reported to the 猎奇重口 Graduate School. 

Timeline for Applications: International Students must complete their applications for admission with all supporting documentation within the time frame established by the UM Graduate School.  To allow enough time to obtain the necessary visa, bank guarantee, and other required documents, this means that international students' applications typically must be completed more than six months before starting the MA program.  

See the additional information in the section on the Graduate School website: /grad/apply/international.php#Apply

Teaching Assistantships

* SPRING SEMESTER 2026:  A small number of Teaching Assistantships are available for Spring semester 2026. Applications are due by November 21, 2025.  See the "TA Application" page for application information and the application form.  

* Students must be fully accepted in the M.A. program and be enrolled in the program by the start of the term in which the awarded Teaching Assistantship begins.

* New MA students: you must submit the separate Teaching Assistantship application in addition to your application for Admission to the MA Program, if you are seeking a TA position.

* Academic Year 2026-2027 (Fall 2026 & Spring 2027) Teaching Assistantship applications will open on January 1.

 

* Teaching Assistantships: Roles and Application Process

Teaching Assistants provide instructional support for professors teaching large, introductory political science courses in American Government (PSCI 210), International Relations (PSCI 230), Comparative Government (PSCI 220), and Political Theory (PSCI 250); or for the Model United Nations course (PSCI 337).  TA applicants are expected to have some background in one or more of these areas.

M.A. applicants and currently enrolled M.A. students must be fully admitted into the program by the start date of the T.A. appointment to be eligible. To apply for a TA position, complete the online TA Application Form on this website (linked to below).  In addition, M.A. applicants must also have submitted all their materials for admission to the M.A. program by mid-March, Monday March 16, 2026 to be considered for a Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027 Teaching Assistant position.  The TA application form for AY 2026-27 Teaching Assistantships will be posted on January 1, 2026.  (For students seeking a Teaching Assistantship for Spring semester 2026, applications are due by November 21, 2025.) 

Online TA Application Form

New M.A. Program applicants should indicate their interest in a Teaching Assistantship position on their online M.A. application form and in the associated statement requesting admission.

Selection Criteria

  1. Applicants must be fully admitted to the M.A. program by the start date of the T.A. appointment.
  2. Overall and Political Science GPA.  GRE scores are considered for applicants who took the GRE (see "Program Requirements" above).
  3. Undergraduate coursework (and any graduate coursework) in political science and related fields.
  4. Work and other relevant teaching-related experience.

Applicants must also submit a resume of their relevant teaching and other experience as part of the T.A. application.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact the Political Science Graduate Program co-directors.