When can I apply for the graduate program in political science?
Answer:  Our department has a rolling admission.  We continue to review files as they become complete and we also accept students for the spring semester. Deadlines are imposed by the Toulouse School of Graduate Study: for Fall admissions, the deadline is generally mid-July, and for Spring admission, mid-November. The deadlines are linked to the Graduate School Admissions page.
 

    Do I need to take the Graduate Record Exams?
Answer: Yes, the Graduate Record Exams is required of all applicants to the graduate program in Political Science. If you took the GRE several years ago, you may use those scores for your current application.
 

    Can the GRE requirement be waived?
Answer: No. We use GRE scores as one of the indicators of a prospective student's future academic performance. We will admit students with scores below our posted minimums, if other parts of the application dossier are strong.
 

    Can my GMAT or LSAT scores replaced the GRE?
Answer: We do not accept the GMAT or the LSAT.
 

    Whom can I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
Answer:  We prefer that your recommendation letters come from professors who know your academic work.  If this is not possible and you have graduated more than 5 years before you apply for our graduate program, we will accept letters from work supervisors or other people who know you (but not from your relatives).
 

    What is the difference between the M.A. and the M.S. program?
Answer:  The difference between the two programs is that the M.A. program requires foreign language credit hours while the M.S. program requires research methodology credit hours.
 

    How long does it take to complete the M.A., M.S. or the Ph.D. program?
Answer:  The length of time to completion of degree depends from student to student.  However, on average the M.A./M.S. degree can be completed in two academic years.  For the Ph.D. degree it is reasonable to be able to complete all degree requirements in five years (of course depending on how fast the student completes the dissertation research and writing).
 

    To whom do I send the application materials?
Answer:  Send the completed application form, transcripts, and official GRE scores to the Toulouse Graduate School together with the application fee.  Send the three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and graduate assistantship application form to the Political Science Department (attn: Graduate Adviser).
 

    Is financial assistance available?
Answer:  Our financial assistance is in the form of teaching and research assistantships and teaching fellowships.  We normally provide assistantships and fellowships to 25-30 students an academic year.  Of these, 8-10 awards are to new students. Assistantships are competitive and require that the student work for 10 or 20 hours a week (depending on the award).  Master's degree students who continue to perform well (both in his/her assistantship job and academic performance) can expect to be funded for four semesters. Doctoral degree students who continue to make satisfactory progress towards his/her degree can expect to be funded for 8 semesters.